As yet unnamed restaurant joins 11 more new openings set for Manchester
If, for a brief second, you thought the new openings announcements might slow down towards the end of the year, think again.
Today, it's been announced that the replacement for The Bull & Bear at The Stock Exchange Hotel will be a homegrown affair. Taking over the restaurant will be the lads behind the Schofield's Bar group.
In another blurry video taken on Gary Neville's potatocam phone, GNev announced that brothers Joe and Daniel will be taking over the former Bull & Bear restaurant as of February 2023. The brothers, who also run Stock Exchange bar, Sterling, are yet to announce the name and details of the restaurant but it's been confirmed that Joshua Reed-Cooper will join as Head Chef. The food will be "traditional well-loved British dishes."
Reed-Cooper has ample experience in the Manchester food scene, with previous roles at The French (under Simon Rogan), mana and Where The Light Gets In. The venture meanwhile will be the first restaurant from the Schofield's team, who also own Schofield's Bar, Atomeca and Sterling.
Elsewhere, the steady drip-drip of new additions to the Manchester hospitality scene continues this month with new multi-kitchen concepts, Arndale Market movements to The Mews, burgers getting bricks and mortar and a modern Greek concept.
Read on for a rundown of the latest new openings coming up in Greater Manchester.
What: Acai and the Tribe
Where: Deansgate Mews, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
When: 26 November
Manchester Arndale Market acai bowl sellers, Acai and the Tribe are on the move. Known for its organic acai bowls as well as brunch items, smoothies and coffee, the vendor has outgrown its Arndale spot and will relocate to the empty former Butcher’s Quarter spot on Deansgate Mews. Good news if you’ve just finished a sesh in the gym in the Great Northern. Acai and the Tribe have teased a bigger menu and space as well as longer hours and more delivery options.
What: Burgerism
Where: 7 Stonepail Rd, Gatley, Cheadle SK8 4EZ
When: Late November
Gatley has won the burger lottery and as a result will be home to the first Burgerism shop. The popular burger brand, which previously served burgers out of a dark kitchen in Salford has since set up in Escape to Freight Island, and the Gatley site will be Burgerism’s first bricks and mortar shop. Known for its smashed patties and popular chicken burgers, the site is set to open late November.
What: Fenix
Where: Quay St, Manchester M3 3GS
When: Early 2023
High-end modern Greek from the people that brought you Tattu. Can you visualise it? We can. Does the image in your mind have a tree in it? Ours does. Fenix, which will open as part of the St John’s development (also featuring Soho House and Molly’s) and will take up a two-tiered site with space for 200. “Fusion”, “Cycladic philosophies” and “Mykonian influence” are all terms doing the rounds. We can’t wait to see what they do with feta.
What: Disorder Bar
Where: 78-88 High St, Manchester M4 1ES
When: February 2023
Disorder Bar is going to take over the fantastically named former Man With A Fish site in the Northern Quarter. Named after that Joy Division song, and with an ethos based on “unknown pleasures”, the bar and eatery will bring European taphouse vibes, with a changing beer menu as well as Asian-inspired food. Live music is also on the cards in the 50 cover space with regular music nights.
What: Higher Ground
Where: Faulkner House, Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4DY
When: Early 2023
The Flawd team are launching Higher Ground the restaurant. Previously a pop-up helmed by chef Joseph Otway, the restaurant version will take up space on the bottom floor of Faulkner House, a Bruntwood building in Chinatown. The casual neighbourhood bistro will continue Higher Ground and Flawd’s ethos of quality local produce from Cinderwood Farm and carefully curated wine, with trademark service and hospitality. Set to be one of 2023’s most exciting openings. Joseph Otway in a proper kitchen too. Exciting times.
What: Calcio
Where: 24 Dale St, Manchester M1 1FY
When: Open
Taking over the Herd NQ site, Calcio is a retro sports bar. Mundial magazine if it were a bar, sort of. A place for watching live sport, punters can also expect classic matches, retro video games, plenty of booze, weekend DJs and burgers courtesy of Foodhalls regulars What’s Your Beef? Coincidentally, a massive international football tournament is about to kick off and you can rest assured Calcio will be showing all of the games.
What: Project Halycon
Where: Lower Byrom Street Bonded, Manchester M3 4AP
When: Open
Project Halycon looks fun. Designed to resemble “a turn of the century illicit warehouse blues bar”, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar and distillery is situated in the bowels of Bonded Warehouse. Serving classic cocktails and seasonal serves, Halycon also puts on cocktail and distillery masterclasses. An events schedule is also in the offering with music and comedy.
What: The Jane Eyre
Where: 60 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG
When: December
Cosy Cutting Room Square cocktail bar, The Jane Eyre, is set for outpost two and it’s going to be in the ‘burbs. Chorlton is the lucky spot with the JE team taking over the former site of The Parlour on Beech Road. The Chorlton outpost will channel the same offering of small plates, cocktails and roasts, with breakfast and brunch on a weekend. A bigger kitchen however means a bigger menu and nearby families mean more options for the kids.
What: Exhibition
Where: St George's House, 56 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NQ
When: Open
Don’t call it a foodhall like we inevitably did when they first announced the chefs going in. It’s a multi-kitchen concept with bar and live entertainment. OSMA, Baratxuri and Caroline Martins are on the pans and a large menu combining separate dishes from all three has some pretty impressive dishes on it. After 9pm attention turns to drinks and entertainment at the Peter Street space, formerly home to Manchester’s Natural History Museum. Booking advised.
What: Love Factory
Where: 205 Dantzic St, Manchester M4 4DW
When: Open
Rendering a beloved Black Eyed Peas song void with its mere existence, Love Factory is a new independent cultural venue in the Red Bank area of the city. The multi-purpose venue will host music events, exhibitions and theatre productions as well as providing studio space for the city’s creatives. Outside further space is set aside for outdoor food and music events. Love Factory’s upcoming World Cup programme will be the first taste of the versatile space.
What: Bubble CiTea
Where: Manchester Arndale, Manchester, M4 3AQ
When: November
The bubble tea craze roars on with the opening of Bubble CiTea in the Arndale Centre. The shop will be the national bubble tea brand’s first foray into Manchester, bringing with it “its unique flavours and the traditional core values of Taiwanese bubble tea culture.” CiTea’s signature flavours include mango fruit tea with rainbow bubbles and taro milk tea with crystal bubbles.
Read next: Adventures on the Manchester Beer Mile and beyond (part three)
Read again: Drama of The City: Droning on about Manchester
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