New restaurants and bars opening in Manchester in December

Those who frequent Chapel Street in Salford will recognise this mint green-fronted beauty of a pub. Previously The Rovers Return (if you can believe it), and before that The Lord Nelson, its new Welsh owners have named it The Anglesey and given it a thorough overhaul, while keeping the beautiful original bar. We’re excited to see it in its new finery. Expect ‘proper’ beers, cosy corners, you know the drill…

MUD Kitchen’s Emily Witts is opening up Auntie Lou’s in the Stockport Market Hall, following some great pop-ups at the brilliant Red Bull pub. In the unit next to Stockport Provisions, she’ll be serving up top quality cafe fare from her ‘deli and eatery’ – a stunner of a sausage roll, great breakfast muffins (oven bottom, obviously). That kind of thing.

The Bank Bar & Brasserie has revived the old Manchester and County Bank in Glossop, bringing a smart brasserie vibe, with French-inspired, local-influenced dishes running from breakfast to supper. Think croque monsieurs and moules for lunch, and then dishes like rag pudding, chicken Kyiv and a sumptuous fish pie for dinner, all set in some beautifully restored surroundings.

Just landed at Quayside in Salford, Big Tray BBQ is from the team behind Brewski. The smokers are imported directly from the US, meaning these huge briskets and racks of ribs have more than a passing resemblance to what you’d get from the pitmasters of South Carolina, Memphis and Kansas City. Head down for glazed burnt ends, smoked turkey, ribs, peach tea glazed pulled pork and brisket chilli. Maybe take a bib.

Your new weekend ritual has arrived, courtesy of the reinvigoration of the Campfield Campus on Liverpool Road. The historic space has been converted into studios and workspaces while maintaining its heritage. ‘Streetfood curator’ GRUB MCR has created Campfield Market running every Saturday, and featuring exceptional food and stalls from independent makers, changing weekly but featuring the likes of Unagi, Palette Bakery, Casa Dario, D’vine Dumplings and more.

The Irish pub trend shows no sign of slowing down, but Dirty O’Sullivans is a behemoth. On Albert Square, in what was once Red’s True Barbecue. There’s pints – lots of them – as well as an Irish menu from the team behind the likes of Diecast and Ramona – think hearty sausage rolls, soups and toasties. There are also ‘pour-your-own’ Guinness booths, where you can book in with a group, and enjoy as much of the dark stuff as you want for a set period of time. It’s one sure way to get the party started.  

It’s all change at Ancoats General Store. After the departure of Sipp Coffee (don’t worry, you can still catch them over in Chortlon). Flakey are taking over coffee and sweet treat responsibilities, creating outrageous stuffed and topped croissants of both sweet and savoury varieties.

The recent closure of MØ6B – Stockport’s uber-sleek Berlin-inspired bar – was a huge loss for discerning Stopfordians. Hopefully the announcement that Fell Brewery, who already have bars in Chorlton and the Northern Quarter, are taking over the spot is some consolation. Expect interesting IPAs and impeccable interior design.

Set in Glossop’s Grade II-listed Town Hall, built in the mid-1800s, this glorious new community-driven space will bring together everything from vintage fashion to floristry to a top-flight bottle shop, alongside some brilliant food vendors. Among them, the likes of Hello Oriental, Pattersons fried chicken and Greek cuisine from Kefi Social. More reasons, were they needed, to head out to the Peaks.

The classic combination of the anchovy, olive and pepper, skewered on a toothpick and known as the gilda, is among the iconic snacks of the Basque Country. So the folks at Maricarmen will be celebrating this legendary mouthful upstairs with a new extension of their Northern Quarter restaurant. They’ll be serving up daily changing gildas along with cheeses and jamon, cut by their own ‘cortador’, and a selection of premium tinned fish. It’ll be a little slice of San Sebastian, best accompanied with a glass of vermouth or a cold cerveza.

The craft beer bar chain with spots all over the North and Midlands has come to Manchester. Known for their extensive booze selection, and penchant for unusual, historical buildings, they’re moving into the spot that was Cottonopolis and Lamb of Tartary in the Northern Quarter, with the one and only That Burger Place knocking out super-smashed patties from the kitchen. Consider it your new pre-train watering hole.

For fans of all things Twin Peaks, the Mollie’s Hotel & Diner brand lands in Manchester this month, offering retro dining and sleek rooms with just the right amount of neon-tinged Americana. The menu is full of classic brunches, burgers and rotisserie chicken, and if that leaves you needing a lie-down, well then they have that covered too.

Part tap room, part Neapolitan pizza spot, part coffee shop (serving up great brews from Ancoats Coffee Co), Mongrel has taken on the site left by the much admired Street Urchin. It’s a stylish situation, created by the folks behind Crüst in Stockport, with a concise menu of pizzas focussing on great local produce.

Billing itself as the UK’s first ‘Champagne boutique’, Portfolio is landing on Bridge Street with more than 250 Champagnes, from rare grower bottles to prestige vintage cuvées. It’s the new project from Julian Pizer from Another Hand and Cameron Foster of Manchester-based importer Deux Six. Expect curated flights, guided tastings and access to bottles you’d normally only find in serious cellars, all designed to make exceptional Champagne feel exciting and genuinely accessible.

Patty flippers par excellence Side Street Burgers are coming to Bolton. Expect smashed burgers and great fried chicken, their signature Sando sandwiches, OG boxes and a host of sharing platters too.

From the market hall in Stockport to their own gorgeous space tagged on the end of the Underbanks, Sticky Fingers has at long last opened its anticipated bakery and cafe (there’s been a few delays, but good things come to those who wait). Head in for some Polish delectables, cinnamon buns, Karpatka, jagodzianki, sourdoughs and many other delights.

First Street gets a new games bar: 9inety 6ix. Promising food, drink, and a vast offering of games under one roof, it’ll be great for get-togethers and after work drinks. From pool to darts to arcade games, it’s a broad church, and you don’t need to book – just show up.