It was one of the most anticipated new openings in Manchester for 2023 and now after almost two years in the making Diecast is open for bookings – at least phase one: Leno Ex-Machina is.
Launching with an extravagant four day opening party from 6-9 July that sold out in seconds, Diecast pulled out all the stops with writhing, half naked dancers, massive pizzas and THOSE daiquiris that have nearly broken Instagram and TikTok all weekend.
Diecast is a venue of monstrous proportions sprawling across 250,000 square feet of former foundry and warehouse just a few minutes from Piccadilly Station. The design team have preserved industrial features such as corrugated steel, roof-block walls, large roller shutters and a concrete terrazzo.
Keeping with the industrial theme, the name Leno Ex-Machina comes from a term for weaving that nods to Manchester’s textile heritage and a latin phrase meaning ‘by machine’. It weaves together food, drinks and entertainment on a literally industrial scale.
Drink at Diecast
Who knew the latest industrial revolution would equate to an ex-factory full of spinning drinks appliances? The “House of Daiquiri” features an Italian marble centrepiece bar with 20 space age looking frozen daiquiri machines churning a glowing rainbow of slushy, boozy cocktails in a potential 64 flavour combinations. If it’s striking visuals you’re looking for in a drink, colours can be mixed and matched for an ombré two tone effect.
Food at Diecast
Manchester loves pizza and Leno Ex-Machina has smelted together the best of the Naples and New York styles for a modern Mancunian hybrid. The team behind Manchester pizza mavericks Ramona have taken the crispy base of an NYC pizza and the super fluffy crusts of the classic Neapolitan variety to forge a super light and fluffy crust with a stronger, crispier base. All the better to handle copious fresh Italian toppings. Crust dipping options include pistachio pesto, white truffle mayo and of an italicised version of their hot honey with added nduja. Elsewhere, the menu takes in small plates, burgers and flatbreads all produced in house.
Party at Diecast
There’s no denying it, this is a party venue, so you probably shouldn’t head down there expecting to have a really good natter with friends. Expect to be dancing well into the night on the network of vertical stages, stairways and platforms. The night club space looks like something you might find in Berlin or a scene in an 80s movie, either way, it’s a vibe.
Owner/Director of Diecast Dan Mullen says, “We’ve been dreaming, planning and preparing this project for years. We’ve done bars, restaurants, clubs and festivals before, but this is something different. It’s hard to describe because it’s multiple experiences under one roof. But no, it’s not a food hall. Manchester has plenty of those. This is an immersive food, drink and clubbing experience on an industrial scale.”
Bookings for Diecast are open now for tables from Thursday 13 July
When: Thurs-Fri 4pm-Late, Sat-Sun 12pm-Late
Where: 51 Ducie Street, M1 2JQ
How much: Pizzas from £9, cocktails from £10 and beers from £5
Tags:
bars New opening
