Where Saints Go for the Weekend: Manchester
Let’s be real - I think we’re all craving a little May-cation inspiration right now.
Despite the British bulldog spirit, there are only so many times that eating and drinking in the cold and rain outside your favourite pub or restaurant can be enjoyed to the full, which is why we’re counting down the days until indoor hospitality opens up again on the 17th May.
To get ready in style, now is the perfect opportunity to bring back our Where Saints Go for the Weekend blogs with a bang! Manchester has a thriving selection of stylish bars and eateries, and is now raring to go once more in preparation of the doors re-opening.
We’re a big believer in supporting local businesses here at WSG, so we’ve scoped out some of the very best places in Manchester for all you Saints to visit over the coming weeks (including a personal recommendation from co-founder Tracey Hague).
Without any further ado, dust off those new clothes you brought pre-pandemic, grab a list of your favourite cocktails and get ready to hit the town!
Escape to Freight Island - Instagram @escapetofreightisland
1. Escape to Freight Island - 11 Baring Street, Manchester
This one came fully endorsed by one of our own Saints, Tracey Hague!
Located on Baring Street and close by to Piccadilly Station, this superb collection of outdoor bars was the genius response to the pandemic and initial lockdown, opening in July of last year.
Tailor-made for social distancing, this unique venue is a modern take on an old freight depot, faithfully retaining some of the traditional industrial character and architecture mixed with a current day revamp. Think outdoor food market, crossed with a rock ‘n’ roll festival ambiance and you’re not far off the mark.
There’s an impressive array of food and drink to enjoy, depending on your preference. Got a craving for wood-fired pizza? Voodoo Rays’ 22” specials will sort you out. Need to quench your thirst with a diverse array of craft ales? Head straight for the Freight Island Bar to lap up their fine selection – you can even pre-order your own small keg of beer if you really feel like celebrating.
Escape to Freight Island - Instagram @escapetofreightisland
And if the weather finally comes good, (it’s a big ask sometimes, we know…) why not try your hand at some frozen cocktails alongside the more conventional offerings?
Vegans and flexitarians need not be excluded, thanks to the Plant Grill that offers up delicious vegan-friendly burgers and more.
The venue is perfectly catered for social distancing, so don’t worry if you’re still feeling a little nervous about venturing out for the first time in months. Tables can be booked in advance on their website (each table seats up to twelve), whilst food and drink is ordered via an app and QR system on arrival. How very 2021!
Our very own Tracey Hague tried this one out first-hand and was super impressed by the atmosphere, food and organisation regarding COVID regulations. If you’re in the area and looking for somewhere special to wine and dine, you won’t get a better recommendation that this!
There’s also an eclectic array of live music on every day from 4pm until midnight in the week, whilst the party atmosphere kicks off even earlier on weekends. Live tunes, fantastic food and drink and an urban space that’s a breath of fresh air (quite literally!) – Escape to Freight Island is on hand to help you celebrate the lifting of lockdown in style.
You can also check out their Instagram page here before booking your slot.
Escape to Freight Island - Instagram @escapetofreightisland
2. Three Little Words, 12-13 Watson Street, Manchester
You’ll have to hold on a little longer until the 20th May for this one to open up, but it’ll be worth the wait, we promise.
Gin lovers will be in their element inside one of Manchester’s most beautiful cocktail bars, and that’s before you’ve even sampled the drinks…
Situated just a five-minute walk from Deansgate Station, Three Little Words is a cocktail bar that really doesn’t do half measures. The main bar is a stunning glass and metal industrial masterpiece that has been built straight into restored bare brick railway arches. The hanging bulbs, the metal pipes, warm lighting and flashes of polished chrome all add to the truly special atmosphere inside this gem of a watering hole. The décor is all rather WSG style, wouldn’t you agree?
Three Little Words - Instagram @threelittlewordsmcr
Depending on your poison of choice, their selection in drinks is varied and has been affectionately inspired by their love of gin and botanicals. They offer a whole host of international flavours, ingredients and combinations to really get those tastebuds tingling.
They’re even launching a brand-new cocktail menu in celebration of re-opening on Thursday 20th May, so if you needed an excuse to hit the town (as if!), this one’s really worth a visit. Bookings are currently limited to six people per party until the 21st June, so bear this in mind if you’re planning on visiting as a group.
Don’t forget to check out their website for further booking information, as well as their Instagram to keep up to date on the latest announcements.
If you’re looking for something a little more substantial in celebration of eating out for perhaps the first time in over a year, their food menu offers delicious beef sliders, charred king prawns, lamb chops and a fine selection of nibbles to go with your drinks. I’m getting hungry just writing this…
Sundays are a special event here too, offering up a feast of live jazz and soul, as well as the Three Little Words roast (which we’ve heard has become quite the legendary institution!). Needless to say, if you’re looking for a weekend treat, this one gets a special Saints nod of approval.
Three Little Words - Instagram @threelittlewordsmcr
We can’t wait for businesses to open up their doors properly once again, and getting out there to support them and enjoying a fantastic night out after the tough year we’ve all had is the best way forward for us all.
These recommendations are just a couple of our highlighted favourites, but wherever you’re based, now really is the time to get back out there and spend some of these pennies we’ve been saving during the pandemic, and keep the wonderful array of bars and restaurants around the country going strong.
Paint the town red! We’ll see you soon, Saints.
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