BEFORE Alchemist opened in Spinningfields in December 2010, there was, well, offices, a WH Smith and a number of sad, dreary chains on Leftbank.
The big thing for Alchemist is the bar - the bar is King
Then wallop! Manchester was introduced to 'mixologists', smoking bourbons and prawns on lollipops. Canary North suddenly had life, it had zip, and trendy, young Panacea-type folk sipping on Pornstars and popping out of dresses.
So began Spinningfields' swing towards becoming Manchester's prime food and drink destination; Neighbourhood, Artisan, Lawn Club, Tattu... it all began here.
Alchemist"There was nothing else like it here or in Manchester for that matter, this is the original... the flagship," says Alchemist director Simon Potts. "It's still the premium bar in Spinningfields, we're always going to set the benchmark."
The Alchemist extension feels long overdue, anyone who's found themselves stood at the bar throwing a wobbler behind a gaggle ordering twelve Mad Hatter's Passion Fruit squealing meringue martinis will tell you that.
"The problem with Alchemist Spinningfields was that it was instantly a huge success, so space became an issue from the outset," continues Potts. "Now we've doubled in size that won't be a problem."
The new look 5,200 sq ft Alchemist features a 116-cover restaurant, a whopping 142-cover terrace and room for another 50-60 bods in the bar; around 300 in total.
New menu items include mini yorkie puds with pork (£4.50), a smoked duck, mango and watermelon salad (from £4.95) and corn dogs (from £5.50), alongside new cocktails such as the Ball Breaker (£7.50) and the Red Dead Zombie (£8.95) - which we're told will blow socks stright through hob-nail boots.
Designed by Nottingham-based interior archtecture and design firm Macaulay Sinclair - the team behind Living Ventures' impressive Gusto site on Deansgate - the new venue, despite its size, feels as toasty as Alpacca-lined slippers.
"The brief was 'liquid honey'," says designer Matthew Pilling. "So you'll see lots of high-end copper, hard wood and leather finishing."
"The big thing for Alchemist is the bar - the bar is king," he continues. "So we've maximised the unit, extended the bar and amped it up with these spectacular molecular ethanol light fixtures. The view from outside, particular at night, is going to be even more spectacular."
Tim Bacon, Living Ventures CEO, said:
"We are delighted that the bigger and brighter Alchemist is set to re-open in Spinningfields. The original and fire-starter for the Spinningfields we see now, the Alchemist opened in 2010 and was an instant hit if a little on the small side - so when the opportunity arose to acquire half of the old All Saints site we jumped at the chance to let Alchemist grow.
"Come down and checkout the new design, whilst enjoying a Smokey Old Fashioned of course, it is amazing."
Alchemist currently has four operations; two in Manchester, one in Leeds and one in London. The brand is the next in line for a Living Ventures national roll-out, with a second Leeds site currently under negotation.
Alchemist Spinningfields opens to the public on Friday 1 May
