Plans are in for Flok, Bay Horse Tavern, Ginopolis and Porter & Cole
THE merciless food and booze takeover of Manchester's former textile district marches on still, as details of four more new openings hit the desk this week.
Firstly, as the proliferation of new tapas venues continues to fuel the revival of Nanna’s favourite Crimbo tipple, the city is poised to welcome its first dedicated sherry bar.
Located in the former Incognito gift store on the booming Stevenson Square (pictured top), Flok is a combined effort from store owner Martin Hennin and Justin Parkinson – the man behind West Didsbury favourites, Folk bar and Wine & Wallop.
Offering a wealth of vintage and modern Sherries, Folk's dyslexic sibling will also serve wines, including port and Madeira, alongside a menu of (what else?) small plates.
The pair plan to launch in May 2017.
Two minutes down Thomas Street to the old Bay Horse pub, where the dastardly trio behind the nearby Cane & Grain, Blackdog, Crazy Pedro’s and TNQ have taken the reins.
Jobe Ferguson, Ross Mackenzie and Lyndon Higginson plan to give the old boozer, renamed Bay Horse Tavern, a gastro makeover in time for a summer relaunch.
Higginson told us: "I've always wanted to own a pub - they're close to everyone's hearts in this country.
"We want to bring the social aspect of the local boozer back for a new generation. We're not talking dominoes and meat raffles, but an atmosphere, a feeling you have when the bartender knows your name... shit... we're opening Cheers!
"Seriously though we want to bring back the local pub in a refined and unpretentious way, with the best local beers and pub grub made with the best ingredients."
Refurbishment work is due to begin sharpish with eyes on a May/June reopening.
Meanwhile, round the corner on High Street, plans for two more new Northern Quarter venues have materialised this week.
There’s plans afoot for a new (presumably gin focused) bar, Ginopolis, in the unit formerly occupied by Tea 42 (below). Whilst further up the way we've also spotted plans for another new licenced venue, Porter & Cole, on the ground floor of the new One Smithfield Square apartment complex - opposite Holiday Inn and across from the Cat Café.
That's it for now folks... but rest assured we'll have more new opening news before the week is through. Make sure you don't miss a beat by sticking your email down here.
