Society
From the brains behind Assembly Underground in Leeds, a new £1 million city centre street food beer hall is set to breathe new life into the Pitcher and Piano at Barbirolli Square. After remaining vacant for nearly a decade, the 8,000 sq ft space will play home to a 350-capacity industrial-style beer hall and outdoor patio, populated by a line-up of DJs and celebrity chef takeovers.
The first raft of independent street food traders includes pan-Asian vendor Manzoku Street Food, stone-baked pizza pop-up Dokes Pizzeria, burger joint Slap & Pickle and falafel and shawarma specialist Falafel Guys, while Hebden Bridge’s Vocation brewery will man the taps.
Schofield Bar
Two bartending brothers from Bury have taken over the site of iconic boozer The Old Grapes, propelled to celebrity fame by Coronation Street star Liz Dawn. The recently renovated Grade II-listed Sunlight House building offers space for 70 customers indoors, while a suntrap terrace seating 60 is ready to welcome cocktail lovers sipping tipples in the summer sun.
Having worked everywhere from The Savoy in London, to Little Red Door in Paris, the boys are bringing a collective 25 years’ experience to the Quay Street bar, launching with a menu of 24 classic cocktails, from Bloody Marys to Manhattans alongside craft beers, wines and champagnes.
Prestwich Social
The founders behind city centre cocktail bar The Liquor Store are preparing to open a new all-day cafe and bar in Prestwich village. Occupying the glass fronted shell of the Orange Tree pub – which has stood empty for 18 months – the open plan eatery offers a sustainable all-day brunch menu by day and floral cocktail creations by night, curated by The Liquor Store mixologists.
The lockdown hasn’t stopped an influx of new businesses in recent months, as the ever-more bustling North Manchester suburb has welcomed a number of eateries, namely Mediterranean-style Paloma, Scandi-inspired Osma and The Goods In – with Prestwich Social coming hot on their heels.
Ramona
Back in summer 2020, the founders of boho bier palace Albert’s Schloss took over the former Swan Street garage to base their latest venture. The site, adjacent to popular food hall vendor Mackie Mayor, comprises two depot-style garage warehouses complete with industrial mechanical details, housing a margarita bar, wood grill, coffee counter and Detroit-style pizzeria and bakery, which has already opened for a successful take-out soft launch.
The tree-lined forecourt has paved the way for a beer garden, while a stage has been erected to host live entertainment, which according to the founders is conditional on the fact “the world doesn’t completely implode.” We wait with bated breath.