Despite originally backing Gary Neville's plans back in May to build a new Manchester United supporters' bar and hotel, the Premiership Champions have now lodged an objection to their former captain's proposed 1,500 capacity venue at the end of Sir Matt Busby Way. In a five page objection, United cite the bar's impact on the Old Trafford landscape, highway safety and, perhaps most tellingly if you're tempted to read between the Glazerite lines, "the club's holistic vision for the continuing enhancement of the area surrounding the stadium". 17th Feb 2012
Manchester's famous whisky bar The Briton's Protection will have to stock up their collection as the second oldest distillery in Scotland, and the oldest on Islay, the prestigious Bowmore have refreshed their bottle design and introduced three new single malts.
The cask-strength, non-chill filtered Bowmore 100 Degrees Proof, the first-fill Spanish Oloroso sherry cask matured Bowmore Springtide and the limited edition Bowmore 1983 will be available from March 2012. ~ 8th Feb 2012
Carlsberg have released a new alternative version of San Miguel, its popular Spanish lager, to the UK market. San Miguel Fresca is a 4.4% ABV bottled golden lager aimed at summertime drinkers and should be served chilled with a slice of lime. The orginal Spanish-brewed San Miguel sold in bars is slightly stronger at 4.5% ABV.
The Danish brewer has spent £6 million on a UK marketing campaign so it's unlikely you'll avoid the billboards and press adverts.
Following their sale of Jackson's Wharf to pub operator Brunning and Price, Peel Holdings have now put the adjoining Castle Quay up for sale for £3.4m. Home to Bar Eight cafe, Choice Restaurant,Key 103 radio and, until this year, your very own ManchesterBars.com, the beautiful Grade II listed building was built in 1831 by the Manchester Ship Canal Company. As well as a few other offices, the building is also home to a small number of apartments whose residents, including Jason Orange and Mike Harding, successfully campaigned to prevent their landlord demolishing Jackson's Wharf. ~ 1 Feb
Canal Street got all revved up for its very own drag race – but these queens were running on heels not wheels! The Gay Village's ‘ladies' pulled their Sport Relief Socks up, donned their deeley boppers and made a dash down the world-famous parade of gay bars to stage their very own glitzy version of the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile.
On-lookers were blinded by the glare from ten glittery frocks flashing past before there were tears and screams of triumph at the finish line as Miss Sugar was crowned Sport Relief Queen. ~ 24 Jan
Rank has closed down the historic Grosvenor Casino on Whitworth Street on Sunday the 15th January, "because it was no longer commercially viable" and coincides with the launch of their brand new G Casino at Parrs Wood in East Didsbury, which opens on 6th February. They will continue to operate the Grosvenor Casinos at Salford and on Charles Street in Chinatown, together with the G Casino on Bury New Road. Rank had also previously operated the loss-making Hard Rock Casino near The Printworks. ~ 20 Jan
Travellers to Piccadilly Station will get a nicer welcome to Manchester city centre with the £35m redevelopment of Station Approach. Manchester based property developer Realty Estates are behind the conversion of the iconic Gateway House with work underway to convert the seven upper stories into a 270-bed hotel including an entire floor housing a bar, restaurant and conference facilities. It is expected to open at the end of 2013, with work on redesigning the existing 16 ugly ground floor units to start late in 2012. There will also be a new block built on Ducie Street featuring offices above a retail unit. ~ 10 Jan
Anybody who has been out in town recently, will know how quiet the bars and restaurants have been, with the Manchester Pub & Club Network describing New Year's Eve especially as "bitterly disappointing". There's already some notable closures including Nossa Casa (previously Tropeiro) and another unit inside The Pritnworks (Just Chinese), whilst Lounge 10 has been closed "for refurbishment" since October, Kro2 gutted before Christmas ahead of a "February" refurb and the recently opened Sirocco at The Circle Club closed "until March". ~ 9 Jan
Knutsford operator Living Ventures, have secured funding for a second Alchemist bar (possibly near to their Grill On New York Street unit) and two more Oast House pubs, one in Greater Manchester and one in LIverpool, with possibly a third in Alderley Edge. And if that wasn't enough, there are also plans for a new top end fine-dining restaurant, a new family friendly restaurant and another secret project, all to be based in Manchester city centre near to their existing Grill On The Alley, Australasia, Peppermint Bay, Oast House, Alchemist, and Olive Press locations. ~ 23 Dec
The Northern Quarter has a new "Miami Beach style bar", opened on the 11th December in the unit vacated by Bar De Reve. Owned by the same people behind close neighbours, Lammars and The Crown & Anchor, Lola's will serve classic cocktails, all made with superior spirits and presented in fancy glassware with garnishes.
With an eclectic mix of music, the bar has been designed with mood changing lighting, a white driftwood bar, hand painted sky ceiling and a beach veranda. ~ 11 Dec
Following his 'Pedals & Pumps' tour, during which he cycled from pub to pub promoting his solo album 'Acid County' and highlighting the plight of the English pub, former Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton has bought The Kings Arms in Salford with his Mancunian partner, Zena. Whilst the popular bar boasts a theatre upstairs, which plays host to Studio Salford, and will potentially host a new radio station, it's an interesting move from the man who has so publicly battled with alcoholism, as detailed in songs like 'Woman in the Wall', 'Liar's Bar', 'I May Be Ugly', 'The Slide', 'Look What I Found in My Beer' and, most notably, the hit single 'Old Red Eyes Is Back'. ~ 1 Dec
Pure Space on New Wakefield Street (just off Oxford Road opposite the Palace Hotel) is set to re-open as a newBlackdog Ballroom in May 2012, taking the same concept as its Northern Quarter original. ~ 15th Feb
The new Club HD on Whitworth Street West temporarily lost its license following serious disorder by three men, including two under-aged youths, in January. The former Brick House club has re-opened under strict guidelines and is set to learn its long-term fate at a full hearing on February 27th. ~ 7th Feb 2012
The new Baby Blue gentleman's club on Deansgate has already been threatened with closure after opening without full planning permission from the council. The strip club controversially replaced the 15 year old Riley's snooker hall, after the landlord gave them just a few weeks notice to vacate. ~ 25th Jan 2012
The Fantasy Bar gentleman's club on Deansgate has received a massive £2million facelift both inside and out from its owners, the same people behind Lounge Ten. The Tib Street restaurant has also been having a makeover since September and is set to finally re-open in February as a private member's restaurant with an emphasis on live music, taking its inspiration from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. ~ 25th Jan 2012
Just six months after opening in the building vacated by Aqua, BarCode Bar & Clubroom has been shut down
permanently by police following three arrests for drug dealing and assault in December ~ 20th Jan
A bus driver had to be cut free after his empty double decker bus crashed into the side of The Bull's Head pub opposite Piccadilly Station. Structural damage to the historic pub is said to be
significant ~ 13th Jan
Private equity company Alchemy, are selling their majority share holding in 66 branch Tameside vodka bar chain Revolution for over £100m. ~ 13th Jan
It would appear
Scotland's largest independent brewery, Brewdog, is still looking for a unit despite announcing in September they were close to a deal for 16 Newton Street in the Northern Quarter, near to Piccadilly Gardens. Electric Boogaloo, opposite the Radisson hotel on Peter Street is a likely venue. 11 Jan
All Star Lanes are set to open inside the Great Northern Warehouse, their first bowling alley outside of London. ~ 9 Jan
Balcony Bar at Piccadilly Station is to be rebranded as The Mayfield Bar, taking its name from the old Mayfield Station terminus, which can still be seen on
Fairfield Street from platforms 13 & 14 (the large derelict building with the large 'Ninja' sign on the front). ~ 9 Jan
A planning application has been made to the council for a new bar, called Kulture, to be located in the Northern Quarter where the Corner Barber Shop is, next to The Soup Kitchen and NoHo. ~ 9 Jan
Following previous applications for a restaurant, a site reguarly touted to be that of the second Alchemist, 1 New York Street, is set to become a late night bar with the working title of Number 1. Just off Piccadilly Gardens, could it be another Living Ventures outlet, with Grill On New York Street on the same road? ~ 9 Jan
Manchester company Blue Training UK has bought the Bower Hotel in Chadderton, which will also become home to a new training academy for young apprentices looking to work in hospitality and catering ~ 9 Jan
Trof have announced very ambitious expansion plans with new openings at the premises vacated by The Green Room on Whitworth Street and Brannigans on Peter Street. ~ 4th Jan
The Lass O'Gowrie is to host a one venue fringe festival for the whole month of January which includes live performance of three 1968 episodes of Coronation Street and a Russell T Davies' play. ~ 2nd Jan 2012
Despite having their initial plans being turned down in December 2010, because of "too many bars in the Northern Quarter", a new application has been made for Terrace bar & restaurant, which will have entrances at both 43 Thomas Street (next to Fusion Studios) and 32 Edge Street (opposite Common). ~ 15 Dec
The old Bar 5 unit between Cross Street and St Annes Square, opposite Sandinista, is set to reopen in the New Year as Annie's Bar. ~ 13th Dec
The old Melodies Bar (or the Original Yates's Blob Shop as it is probably better known), opposite the Arndale Market on High Street is soon to reopen as a restaurant. ~ 13th Dec
After leaving their Piccadilly home, organisers of The Warehouse Project have
dispelled
rumours of a move to London by confirming their new venue, yet to be announced, will still be in Manchester. ~ 13th Dec
Milanese exportSalvi's Mozzarella Bar have opened a late night deli at The Triangle on 9th December. Open until 11pm, it will serve up
prosecco and premium quality spirits alongside fresh
antipasti. ~ 9th Dec
Chorlton's North Star Delicatessen have opened a cafe on the 5th December in the beautiful premises vacated by An Outlet cafe in Carver's Warehouse, just off Piccadilly on Dale Street. ~ 5th Dec
The Northern Quarter has a new soul bar and seafood restaurant with Sole opening its doors on 3rd December 2011. The
Turner Street
establishment
offers a downstairs
cocktail and speciality beer bar. ~ 3rd Dec
