Crab balls, posh kebabs and the best fried chicken in the city (probably)... plus a party or two
Not been to Hatch on Oxford Road yet? Oh well. You'd be forgiven for missing this collection of repurposed shipping containers on Oxford Road, hidden as it is beneath the monstrous Mancunian Way.
But now there's plenty more reason to schlep up the Knowledge Corridor (they still calling it that?) to visit Bruntwood's new pop-up food, drink and retail project - with a handful of cracking new street food traders pitching up for the next three months or so, plus a free party or two on the horizon.
So who's in?
Holy Crab
You can now find sustainable seafood snacks from the folks at Holy Crab in the courtyard, including freshly shucked oysters, signature crab balls, beer battered smoked haddock fish butties and proper square cut chips with salt and sauce.
Over the past few years, Lou and Hannah have served us some of the best street food we've had in the city, including some memorable Bombay haddock bits.... which bits, who cares?
More @holycrab_uk
Yadda Yadda
The chaps behind Yadda Yadda (who also run Chorlton’s Elektrik, Volta in Didsbury and the nearby Refuge at The Principal) will be joining Holy Crab in the courtyard from Wednesday 2 May, dishing up their modern spin on Persian kebabs.
Their freshly made flatbreads include fillings such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder shawarma, Korean steak and chickpea daal with coconut milk, smoked almonds, apricots and dates. And not a donner in sight...
Firebird Hope
One of the best pieces of bird we've eaten in the last twelve months. Seriously. These guys really know how to treat a chicken.
They're keeping it simple with just two specially designed sandwiches; the free-range fried chicken ‘Level-Up’ and the vegan fried ‘Triple 6’, both served on sourdough buns with secret condiments and seasoning.
More @_firebirdhope_
Well Hung
One of Hatch’s original traders, this street food spin-off from the team behind Beastro must have gone down a treat, as they've secured an extra long stint at Hatch.
Continuing to cater for discerning carnivores, Well Hung offer five types of sandwich, four 'Well Specials' (including a steak, egg and cheese wrap), loaded fries and classic steak n dripping chips with chimichurri sauce from £10.
Copenhagen Brew and Beer Festival will see a collaboration between Hatch neighbours Takk and Öl...
Along with the refreshed food and drink offering, a series of special events have been organised to encourage people to head over to Manchester’s answer to The Boxpark.
Manchester-based mural artist Paint Sayers is hosting the Manchester Art Jam, a live art battle on the evening of Friday 4 May. Top local artists will unleash their creativity in the courtyard, taking part in a head-to-head challenge in front of a live audience. They’ll have just 40 minutes to paint, draw and create an artwork before voting commences.
On Saturday 5 May, there'll be a free warm-up shindig before the homecoming premiere of Manchester Keeps on Dancing - a new documentary chronicling the city's modern music scene. Red Bull will be bringing their DJ truck along and handing out free drinks... some cans of Red Bull probably.
Bank Holiday Sunday (6 May, 12-6pm) will be a family funday with the courtyard playing host to extra guest ‘hatchlings’ who can enjoy the services of a face painter and Thai ice cream roll cart.
Tuesday 22 May is Kombucha Day; a celebration of the fizzy fermented tea with gut-hugging health claims. Booch & Brine, the only northern company to produce their own kombucha, will be in the courtyard giving away free samples of the brew that’s fast becoming the latest health craze.
Copenhagen Brew and Beer Festival (Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 May) will see a collaboration between Hatch's Nordic-inspired coffee house Takk and neighbouring nano brewery Öl. They will host a Copenhagen takeover weekend featuring guest beers from some of the best breweries in the world including Warpigs, Mikeller, ToÖl and coffees from the world-renowned Coffee Collective. The event will include tastings and talks.
Keep updated on goings-on at hatchmcr.com
