Winter Island at Escape to Freight Island
Friday 5th November
Launching on the 5th November with a spectacular live firework display, Winter Island at Escape to Freight Island will feature a huge Christmas Tree Forest, plus a host of new festive traders ans stalls including a Bratwurst Grill, Traditional Hog Roast, a Mulled Wine & Hot Cider Hut, Local Chocolatier and Artisanal Cheese Stall. There’s also a packed calendar of events throughout the winter, from family raves, bonfire night, cabaret, live music and DJs, to comedy and film nights, live karaoke and Christmas workshops.
Nell’s at KAMPUS
Friday 5th November
Nell’s have finally got their very own location down at garden neighbourhood KAMPUS – a massive restaurant, bar and stand-alone ‘Slice Bar’ where you can pop in for a quick slice day-or-night. They’ll even be offering up Bottomless slices, drinks and DJs on their weekly ‘Sunday Pizza Socials’.
Jardim Brazilian BBQ
November TBC
From the co-founder of Fazenda comes this all-you-can-eat restaurant – taking over the old Post Office building on Stamford New Road in Altrincham. They’ll offer the traditional Brazilian ‘rodizio’ meat selection that we’re all accustomed to, with an endless stream of grilled meats, served alongside unlimited sides and salads from the bar. There’s also the promise of a “large choice of lighter options” too, as well as a more seasonal, local approach to ingredients too.
Zumu Sushi, Wilmslow
November TBC
A major force in Wilmslow for years, Zumu are upgrading their current location with a super-swanky, larger one just up the road in the old Chilli Banana spot. The new location will give them the chance to create a true dine-in experience, alongside an enhanced menu and drinks. Also, Chilli Banana won’t be leaving – they’ll be operating a delivery and collection kitchen.
Dine in the Light at Lightopia
Thursday 18th November
This year, Lightopia Manchester have unveiled a brand-new intimate and immersive dining experience – Dine in the Light – to complete the ultimate magical Christmas Fantasy journey at Heaton Park. Nestled in the park’s woodland and surrounded by lanterns, the illuminated Dining Domes will make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience, paired with an imaginative and hearty three-course menu of classic seasonal dishes, all with a whimsical touch and curated by three-rosette chef Chris Holland and The Life Cafés & Resorts Culinary Team.
Bar Hütte
Thursday 4th November
Returning to Manchester this year – bigger and better than ever – is Bar Hütte at the Great Northern Warehouse. The much-loved Christmas pop-up will feature private karaoke huts, new cocktails and live music sessions – all set in an alpine winter haven.
Dust Dogs
November TBC
Word on the street is that this brand-new hot dog concept from the Northern Soul team is set to open this November, and it might very well be sooner rather than later. Taking over their old Church Street market unit – expect loaded dirty dogs, sides, beers and loads of cheese. We haven’t had any of it yet but I suspect it’ll be brilliant.
Epicurean Ancoats
November TBC
It shan’t be long now until Epicurean open up their brand-new bottle shop right in the heart of Ancoats – conveniently located next to KERB Wines – so between them they’ll have all of your boozy desires sewn up. Of course, we all know what to expect from Epicurean – they’re veterans at supplying people with high-quality boozes and beers – so expect more of the same in Ancoats.
Ramona Winter Christmas Village
Thursday 4th November
Another Christmas Village/Pop-Up now, this time at Ramona/The Firehouse with: Christmas Campfire. Dance Tent. Winter Market. Tequila Cabins. Runway. Winter Beer Garden. Margarita Bars. Pizza From Detroit. Peri Kitchen. Live Stage. Hot Chocolate. Mulled Wine. Coffee Hatch. It’s on until 31st December – and should be cosy AF.
The Fountain House
Thursday 11th November
Taking over the old Albert Square Chop House location on (obviously) Albert Square, The Fountain House is a new gastropub from the Metropolitan Pub Company, the posh arm of Greene King. They’re a collection of 60 premium pubs spread across the UK which celebrate and maintain their individual character and charm. This building has loads of that – and so I expect the pub to be a cracker when it opens this November.
The Christmas Markets
Friday 12th November
Yep, as I’m sure you’re all aware – Manchester’s Christmas Markets OPEN again this November. It’ll feature over 300 stalls of, well, pretty much everything you could ever desire. Spread across 8 different sited across the city centre, there’s LOADS of new (and old) places to try – including those lovely Bratwurst, the famous Yorkshire Pudding Wraps, Pancakes and of course – mulled wine galore.
Namii Kitchen
Saturday 6th November
Namii Kitchen & Cocktails is taking over the old Blackhouse Grill site on New York Street, featuring authentic pan Asian cuisine, with a heavy Vietnamese influence, as well as an innovative cocktail menu that has been inspired by Vietnamese mythology and folklore.
Salvis, Deansgate Square
November TBC
It’s still a ‘coming soon’ from Salvis on Deansgate Square, but they look to be progressing nicely down at the brilliant Deansgate Square development. It’s a whopping 3,000 sq ft unit complete with a weather protected and heated terrace providing year-round outdoor and indoor dining. The latest addition to the Salvi’s family will draw upon generations of culinary knowledge as it takes inspiration from each of its existing sites, as well as owner Maurizio Cecco’s native Naples.
99 Reasons, Chorlton
November TBC
We were promised the opening of 99 Reasons “within the next couple of months” back in August – and they’re just started recruiting for staff so it looks like November might just be the month that we see this new café and bar concept open. New owners Jake McGrath and James Madden have taken over the old Pi site and have promised “amazing coffee, gin, beer and food“.
L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
November TBC
Generally considered to be the best pizza in Naples, perhaps even the entire WORLD, we were excited to hear back in June that L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele was coming to the old Zizzi unit on King Street. Work looks to be coming along nicely in the stunning, grand space – so November should hopefully be the month that they finally get to fire up those pizza ovens and open their doors.
German Doner Kebab, Oxford Road
November TBC
The very popular German Doner Kebab are opening up a new location right on Oxford Road, in the old Costa site jammed between STA Travel and Subway. They’ve been opening locations up all around the UK over the last few months, with one in Stockport being the most recent. The offer up a menu of lean succulent beef and chicken kebabs, with meat imported directly from Germany plus fresh, local veg. Each kebab is prepared daily with special Doner Kebab bread and ‘secret sauces’.
Hello Oriental at Circle Square
November TBC
Hello Oriental is still a ‘COMING SOON’ on their Instagram and boardings, but hopefully we’ll see them finally open their doors this November at the new Circle Square development. A three storey market hall and dining destination, Hello Oriental will offer fast and fresh Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, from Chinese roast meats and dim sum to East Asian street food. There’ll also be a modern Chinese bakery and on-site supermarket, plus DJs and live music throughout the week.
BOX Sports Bar
November TBC
Deansgate is set to welcome a brand new sports bar complete with twenty screens, an outdoor terrace, live bands and karaoke next month. BOX – an already well known bar in Leeds city centre – will be taking over two floors in a building down Deansgate. The bar will be showing an array of sport including football, cricket and boxing and, unlike other sports bars of its nature, will also offer live entertainment including ‘bandeoke’, where customers can take over the mic and join a live band on stage.
On The Hush
Friday 5th November
A new picturesque café bar, ‘On The Hush’, is launching in the city this November with a vibrant décor, colourful coffees and cocktail that are served in glass slippers. Launching on Friday 5th November, On The Hush is located on Church Street in the Northern Quarter and will also feature “indulgent brunches, sweet treats and transforms into a funky cocktail bar with live entertainment.”
