7 minute read
Rochdale town centre's thriving food & drink scene
Rochdale’s exciting and evolving food and drink scene is cementing its reputation amongst North of England as a must visit destination.
Our town’s fascinating history, stunning architecture and rich industrial past is echoed and celebrated in many of the historic food and drink venues. Whether it be Mannerist, situated in the former Union Bank of Manchester building, The Medicine Tap in the listed Post Office, Yates in the former county court, the late 18th century Reed Hotel, The Regal moon in the old cinema or The Baum on Toad Lane, Rochdale has a plethora of venues which celebrate their heritage whilst offering the very finest in modern cuisine and drink.
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Rochdale’s burgeoning food and drink scene places a firm emphasis on the finest in local produce from around the region and authentic ingredients and this coupled with talented chefs has proved instrumental in the success of the town's long standing favourites like La Mancha and Vicolo Del Vino and exciting new eateries like Bombay Brew.
There's a vibrant, positive atmosphere in the town centre with hospitality businesses encouraging one another. Paul Ambrose, Business Improvement District Manager, commented: "Every single business owner greets you with a smile on their face and is full of nothing but enthusiasm and praise for what you would normally call their competitors. Every business seems to love what others are bringing to the table and the whole town centre feels like one big food and drink loving family".
Cllr John Blundell Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business, Skills & Employment said: "The town centre's food and drink offer has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. You'll now find an array of restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and bars to suit every occasion, mood and budget. The growing food and drink offer will hopefully also have a beneficial knock-on effect for the town centre retail trade, with people taking the opportunity to shop in addition to eating and drinking".
The Flying Horse, voted Greater Manchester’s best pub by CAMRA for the last two years running is enjoying a renaissance along with other popular venues along Packer Street. The street has been transformed into a pedestrianised continental-style outdoor dining area, named Gracie’s Garden, also serving customers of The Empire, Yate’s and KoKo’s. Inside and outside The Flying Horse it’s all now seated table service, with customers able to order traditional pub grub, and an extensive selection of cask and keg ales. There’s also a tasty new beer garden menu featuring the pub’s famous burgers and loaded fries.
Gracie’s Garden is also shared by one of Rochdale’s most popular and oldest live music venues, The Empire. Empire’s rich history even includes a performance from child prodigy, Gracie Fields! These days, the Empire boasts a separate cocktail bar serving an exciting selection of classic and modern cocktails, plus a well stocked main bar offering over twenty gins.
Just next door, on the corner of Packer Street and Fleece Street, Yates has served as both a post office and more recently a county court for over 60 years. Its illustrious and fascinating history is still evident in the impressive architecture of the venue with its modern and industrial décor. The versatile venue serves great value food and drink providing the perfect place for a brunch, lunch or an afternoon pint and a lively party venue in the evening.
Situated opposite the Town Hall lies the imposing listed former Post Office that is now home to an exciting food and drink concept in the form of The Medicine Tap. The interior is seriously impressive and helps the venue wear its many hats as a beer hall, cocktail bar and all day drinking and eating destination. The Medicine Tap is just as comfortable serving coffee and cake as it is serving its simply incredible selection of ales from its 10 metre long bar! There are also over 80 gins from across the globe to choose from plus a comprehensive and exciting cocktail menu.
Located on South Parade is the truly stunning former Union Bank of Manchester, now home to Mannerist bar and restaurant. Stepping through the grand double doors diners and drinkers are greeted with an uber cool minimalist décor that seeks to emphasise the grand stature of this listed building.
Mannerist’s food offerings are a fusion of Italian / American cuisine where diners can enjoy everything from pizza to chilli beef tacos to mouth-watering steaks. The drink options are equally as impressive and varied with an exciting cocktail menu.
Situated on a cobbled lane off The Butts in a former abandoned underground brick cellar Vicolo Del Vino is a beautiful rustic wine bar serving a truly impressive selection of wines and gin. Entering the venue begins your journey to the heart of Italy as you step through the stunning entrance to find a literal wall of wine and gin and a buzzing atmosphere. Vicolo also offers antipasti, tapas, pizzas and larger plates from the grill and this combination of high quality authentic produce and wine has won the hearts of locals and made Vicolo one of Rochdale’s literal hidden gems.
Situated around the corner from Vicolo, is a collection of new food and drink venues Pint Pot, Treehouse Bar and Petit Bistro and Bar.
Also situated just off The Butts is La Mancha, offering authentic Spanish Tapas and Vino for over 20 years. You could almost be fooled into thinking you were in a Spanish town as you enter the doors of La Mancha and settle in to experience its vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, providing the finest in Mediterranean tapas and wines.
Housed inside a historic former cinema the Regal Moon is now one of the jewels in the Wetherspoons groups crown. The screens may have made way for the impressive bar but there are still nods to its past such as the grand piano above the bar and the beautiful art deco stylings. The Regal Moon serves more real ale than any other establishment in the Wetherspoon chain and exemplifies Rochdale’s residents discerning tastes when it comes to craft and real ales.
Another Rochdale pub receiving recognition from CAMRA, as most improved pub of 2019, is The Cask and Feather. It boasts a comprehensive and varied selection of cask and keg ales which can be enjoyed in the cosy interior or the charming beer garden.
Cask & Feather
One of the latest innovative additions to the town centre is the fantastic Bombay Brew. Situated at 1 Drake Street, Bombay Brew prides itself on using fresh produce to create mouth-watering Indian street food served in tapas style portions alongside more traditional Asian dishes in a modern and unique environment with the walls adorned with the work of street artist Doodlher. There is also a real emphasis on craft ale at Bombay Brew with a fantastic range on offer. The marriage between Indian street food and craft ale is one that works perfectly, building an excellent reputation amongst the region’s Asian food lovers.
Bombay Brew
The former RBS building has recently opened as Hogarths; a grand bar with wide drinks menu including everything from cocktails, rums and gins to cask ales, draught lager and wines. They will show all live major sporting events across multiple screens located around the pub.
Another brand new addition to the town centre is the delectable Heavenly Desserts, based at Rochdale Riverside, and providing the very finest in sweet treats. Attention-to-detail, creativity and innovation are at the soul of Heavenly Desserts and combined with their dedication to achieving perfection, they promise to provide all of their customers with an unrivalled dining experience.
The newly opened Bean cafe at Rochdale Riverside provides a stylish, comfortable and relaxing environment for you to enjoy lunch, coffee and cake or an informal meeting. The Northwest based company roasts its own coffee at its Liverpool roastery ensuring that its some of the freshest and finest coffee available.
Bean cafe
Last, but certainly not least, the newly reinvented Baum in Rochdale’s historic Toad Lane always turns heads with it’s enviable beer selection but now boasts a modern British menu and a fantastic new head chef which promise to widen the appeal of this already award winning pub. It also boasts a beautiful walled beer garden.
Many of the venues featured are part of the LoyalFree app which has now launched in Rochdale Town Centre to help you save money when you dine, drink or shop. You can download the LoyalFree app for free at www.loyalfree.co.uk/download or search ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Google Play stores.
