It’s been 197 days since we could last sit inside a restaurant or bar.
Over the last few weeks we’ve been able to eat and drink outside of the house but only in places with outdoor spaces.
Now – finally – all restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes and every other kind of dining and drinking establishment can for the first time open their doors to customers.
Here are all the places that are reopening in Manchester city centre this week – from brand new openings to restaurants that will be able to accept diners for the first time since November.
This list doesn’t include places that have already been open with outdoor seating.
New openings
Blues Kitchen
Located in the fully beautifully-restored former Victorian eye hospital on Quay Street, Blues Kitchen comprises a restaurant, bar and 500-capacity concert hall, set over two floors. There is a menu of American soul food like ribs, fried chicken and mac and cheese, and an extensive whiskey collection and 80 different bourbons, alongside cocktails, beers, wines and spirits.
The first couple of weeks are fairly booked up but there is the odd table available during the week and in the daytime. Book a table here.
The Green Lab
Housing a salad bar, juice bar and health studio, The Green Lab is opening this week for the first time, having done takeaway and delivery over lockdown. They’re open ‘softly’ now with express lunch options available and will be fully operational from this Wednesday.
The menu includes ‘build your own’ nutrition bowls, smoothie bowls, wraps, sweet treats, as well as fresh juices and smoothies. Find out more here.
Lost Cat
The team behind Crazy Pedros has opened a new bar in the Northern Quarter, taking over the former Eat New York site on Oldham Street. Set over two floors, Lost Cat is a neighbourhood bar with live music upstairs and will eventually house a rooftop cinema too. The food will be provided courtesy of Triple Bagels with a menu of Reuben bagels, loaded fries and more.
They aren’t taking bookings so just rock up. Open from midday every day until midnight on Sunday to Wednesday and until 3am Thursday to Saturday.
Junior Jackson’s
Next door to Lost Cat, Junior Jackson is a basement dive bar and ‘crazy cousin’ of Bunny Jackson’s. They’re serving a sliders from £1 including Buffalo Chicken, Fried Tofu and a Salt Beef Bagel slider (£1.50). The bar stocks over 100 American whiskeys, American beers and cocktails.
Happy hour is from 12 to 5pm every day with £3 pints, £5 frozen daiquiris and you can get an Old Fashioned for a fiver from 5 to 7pm on Fridays. No bookings, just walk ins.
Society Manchester
Located in the former Pitcher and Piano site in Barbirolli Square, Society will house five independently-owned kitchens, a cocktail bar and specialist craft beer taproom, hosted by Hebden Bridge brewery Vocation. Traders include burger vendors Slap & Pickle, pan-Asian specialists Manzoku Street Food and Dokes Pizzeria (Elnecot’s new pizza concept).
Society Manchester opens this Thursday 20 May from 10am every day until 12am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm other days. For more information visit: societymanchester.com.
Smithfield Social
Opened in March this year, this week is the first time that diners will actually be able to sit inside Smithfield Social for brunch, coffee and cocktails. The cafe which took over the old Teacup site on Thomas Street is owned by Courteeners frontman Liam Fray alongside some of the team behind the Liar’s Group and TNQ.
Tables are available to book here.
Lane 7
Launching this week in Great Northern Warehouse, Lane 7 has opened with 11 ten-pin bowling lanes, as well as ping pong tables and shooting pods. When restrictions ease further, there will also be karaoke pods.
There will be burgers from Fat Hippo alongside soft and hard shakes, “gram worthy” cocktails, craft ales and spirits. Book a space here.
Places re-opening this week
Northern Quarter
Cottonopolis – Book here.
Pen and Pencil – Book here.
Wilson’s Social – Book here.
Soup Kitchen – Walk ins only.
Affleck & Brown – No info about bookings
Herd NQ – from 19 May, book here.
Allotment NQ – from 19 May, book here.
Cooper Hall – Book here.
Salt and Pepper at Black Dog Ballroom – call/email to book 0161 839 0664 / info@blackdogballroom.co.uk
NQ64 – walk ins only.
The Washhouse – book here.
Chapter One – walk ins only.
Dusk Til Pawn – walk ins only.
Science and Industry – Book here.
33 Oldham Street – walk ins only.
The Pasta Factory – Book here.
Roxy Ballroom – Book here.
Ancoats
Blue Eyed Panda – call to book 0161 207 8788
Street Urchin – from 10 May, to book email info@street-urchin.co.uk or call 07470 804979
King Street and nearby
Grand Pacific – Book here.
Flight Club Darts – Book here.
Bull and Bear – Book here.
Oxford Road and nearby
The Koffee Pot at The Deaf Institute – Book here.
The French – only a couple of tables left. Book here.
Ban Di Bul – call to book 0161 236 9733
Dog Bowl – call/email to book 0161 228 2888 / reception@blackdogballroom.co.uk
Peru Perdu – Book here.
Junkyard Golf Club – Book here.
WOOD – from 19 May, book here.
Indian Tiffin Room – Book here.
Don Giovanni – Book here.
Deansgate and Spinningfields
Australasia – Book here.
El Rincon – call to book 0161 839 8819
Mason’s Restaurant and Bar – Book here.
MOJO – walk ins only
Siam Smiles – call to book 07702 741759
Three Little Words – from 20 May, book here.
Sam’s Chop House – walk ins.
Dimitri’s Taverna – Book here.
Hawksmoor – very limited availability. Bookings here.
La Vina Bar y Tapas – Book here.
Evuna Deansgate – Book here.
Castlefield
Chinatown
Pho Cue – call to book 0161 237 5664.
Happy Seasons – Book here.
Little Yang Sing – call to book 0161 228 7722
Teppanyaki Chinatown – Book here.
Pearl City – Book here.
Jade City – call to book 0161 238 8559
Yuzu – from 18 May, book here.
Salford
Porta – from 18 May, walk ins only.
