Escape to Freight Island
Of course, the large outdoor space at the excellent Escape to Freight Island will be opening this April. Expect a host of food and drink offerings including Baratxuri, Belzan Pasta Kitchen, Madre, Mi+Pho, Voodoo Rays, Patty Queen, Krum and a brand-new sweet addition, Sundae – Escape to Freight Island’s in-house ice cream brand.
20 Stories
Sat atop this building, 20 floors up in April – it’s going to be magnificent! Cocktails, food, chatter, heaters – there’s everything you need – and you’ll be looking great while you do it. 20 Stories is really hard to beat on the outdoor terrace front.
The Lowry Hotel
Opening from the 15th April, the large terrace that extends down the length of the River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel will be open for food and drinks.
Book River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel
Elnecot
Easily one of the best restaurants in Ancoats – it comes as very welcome news that Elnecot will be back open on the 12th April – serving up their dishes on the terrace on Cutting Room Square. Expect a menu that’s been honed and improved upon endlessly during lockdown, as well as brunch and the legendary Roast Dinners.
The Oast House
Of course Oast House is opening on the 12th April. With a outdoor terrace this big it would be ridiculous if they didn’t. Whilst most places in the city are thinking about whether the size of their terrace justifies opening – The Oast House are sitting pretty on a spot that’s around 5x bigger than their actual indoor space. No brainer then.
Dive Bar & Grill
After spending loads of money a brand-new swanky outdoor terrace, Dive in the NQ can finally show it off – alongside their new ‘Steakhouse’ menu. The terrace really is excellent; large, under cover and with loads of heaters – perfect for the expected April showers.
The Bay Horse Tavern
The pedestrianisation of Thomas Street is one of the only good things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re ecstatic that it’s going to stay for the foreseeable future. Because it means that we can get to The Bay Horse in April instead of May – the best news of 2021. Bookings open on Sunday 6th March.
Hatch
Expect Hatch to be buzzing once again come April 12th, as they re-open their doors and invite their retail and street food traders back into the fold. You’re always guaranteed some top-notch grub here, with the likes of Grandad’s Sausages, FUKU, Herbivorous and KBOM all back serving up their delicious dishes.
Alvarium
One of our favourite haunts throughout the pandemic was Alvarium’s newly created outdoor terrace. Tucked away just off Tib Street serving up delicious cocktails and a brand new food menu too, you’re pretty much promised a great time. It’s also their second birthday so expect a big old knees-up!
Crazy Pedro’s Bridge Street & NQ
During the summer of 2021, Bridge Street’s Pedro’s extended their outdoor terrace to epic proportions, and considering they’re allowed to open it – they’re going to be BACK this April. They’re doing BOTTOMLESS PIZZA & BOOZE every single day for walk-ins! Bookings open on Sunday 6th March.
Dakota Hotel
They’ve spent millions on the outdoor terrace at Dakota Hotel and it shows – this place looks phenomenal. Sit back and relax under cover, with heaters too, alongside steaks from the grill and some seriously good cocktails. Bougee but well deserved for us all.
Cane & Grain
Hosting a large, under-cover outdoor terrace means that Cane & Grain can re-open this 12th April and they’re going to do it with a NEW MENU. I’ve not been privvy to the intricacies of this menu but you should probably expect some pretty banging ribs, burgers and my favourite – Mac & Cheese! Bookings open on Sunday 6th March.
Wolf at the Door
It looks like tacos and baos are back on the menu boys! Yep, NQ favourite Wolf at the Door will be throwing their terrace up from the 12th April – serving up not just great food but their impeccable selection of cocktails, natural wines and guest beers.
The Refuge
Refuge goes alfresco from April 12th with bookings open now. You can enjoy the Refuge dining experience in the hidden Edwardian courtyard. Bookings open Monday 8th at 7pm and spaces are limited so be quick.
Impossible
With a massive terrace overlooking Great Northern and that weird Gladiator-style amphitheatre, Impossible will be at the top of many people’s lists come the 12th April. Book a table and you’ll have it for 2 hours – plenty of time to catch up with all your mates over a few bottles of Prosecco right?
The Con Club
The Altrincham favourite will be opening up their wonderful terrace in April, but you can’t book it – they’re just going to be doing walk-ins only. Which is fine by me because I never think far enough ahead for these things! Beers, nibbles and sunshine are guaranteed.
La Bandera
Our favourite independent Spanish restaurant will be re-opening their excellent terrace from April – perfect for some alfresco tapas and sangria action in the sun. Oh, and don’t forget the Cava!
Zouk
Zouk have always had an impressive outside terrace area, which they will be utilitsing to its utmost come April 12th. They’re now taking bookings – so head on over and get yourself a table before they all go. A long night with beers, curries and banter? Perfect.
sugopastakitchen/Instagram
Sugo Pasta Kitchen Altrincham
Yes! Sugo is back this April! Only in the Altrincham one though (Ancoats for May) – so you’ll have to get the tram down there. Get booked in ASAP coz I feel this may be a busy one.
NAM
Vietnamese favourite NAM will be out serving on Cutting Room Square from the 12th April – and I’m sure you’ll agree that we’ve all missed ’em! This week saw them introduce a brilliant new Vietnamese Roast Dinner – which would be perfect eating out on a sunny weekend with a few beers and some mates.
The Lawn Club
Bookings for the wonderful Lawn Club, slap-bang in the middle of Spinningfields are now open. They were doing those proper fit kebabs last year – hopefully they’re still doing the same in 2021?
The Wharf
The team over at The Wharf in Castlefield are still working out the details on whether they’ll open this April 12th – much like many of the city’s establishments with considerable outdoor terraces. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that they’ll be opening in April – they just have to! Keep checking the booking link below for developments…
Almost Famous
Legendary burger join Almost Famous will be opening up both of their terraces in the NQ and at Great Northern from April. Walk-ins only. Lovely stuff.
Dukes 92
One of the city’s most consistently busy outdoor terraces will definitely be re-opening again from 12th April – you can even book yourself a table right now if you want. If the weather is good – expect this place to be packed to the bloody rafters!
Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza
Yep, Rudy’s will be opening their outdoor areas in April, and you can get booking right now! Get yourself sat down at either their Peter Street or Ancoats locations, order a couple of pizzas, 6 Campari sodas and you’ll be all set.
Beatnikz Taproom
The taproom garden down in the Green Quarter will open once again from 14th April – perfect for a lazy afternoon sipping Beatnikz excellent range of craft beers. It’ll be a million times more lovely when the sun comes out too. Walk-ins.
Marble Tap Room
The Beer Yard will be open from the 15th April – and there’s no need to book it – you can just walk right in – grab some beers and away you go!
Nutters
The legendary Rochdale restaurant will be opening up their outdoor terrace from 12th April, and you can book yourself a table right now using the button below. Hopefully that notorious Rochdale weather won’t dampen things too much!
Bookings: 01706 650167
Feel Good Club
Everyone’s favourite feel good cafe will be opening their doors once again for us punters to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and a massive brownie – all on their little outside terrace on Hilton Street. The perfect spot for watching the world go by.
Albert’s Worsley
Famed throughout the land for the high quality of their terrace game, it’s only natural that Albert’s in Worsley will be opening this 12th April. Get yourself booked in below.
Lust, Luck, Liquor & Burn
Who’s up for some massive burritos and 10 Lageritas? Answer: We ALL are! Thankfully Liquor & Burn will be opening up their NQ terrace for service from April 12th. Walk-ins only.
Home Sweet Home
Cakes, Toasties, Pancakes, Burgers, Milkshakes, Coffees, Cocktails – you want it? Home Sweet Home will sort you out. Get booked in here…
Nordie
Levenshulme neighbourhood bar and eatery Nordie will be letting us all get hammered on their outdoor terrace bit when April comes along – and we couldn’t be happier. Thank you Nordie. Walk-ins.
Alvarium
The bit outside Alvarium has been a bit of an NQ hangout for years – so it’s the perfect place to grab some booze and sit out in the sun with your mates. I’d bet a tenner they’ll do you a few vegan dishes to pick at too if you ask really nicely. Which you always should.
Menagerie
Called “Manchester’s Secret Sun Trap”, there’s no denying that Menagerie’s outdoor terrace is impressive – and thankfully they’ve decided to open it up come 12th April. Get the bottles of fizz in!
The Rose & Monkey Hotel
Easily one of the city centre’s best hidden beer gardens, the Rose & Monkey hides a proper little hideaway oasis at the back – perfect for sipping pints, eating big bags of crisps and putting the world to rights.
Nibble NQ
This small cafe above (and beside) Pop Boutique on Oldham Street has been a cafe for as long as I can remember – and is a solid joint for a bit of brekkie or a cracking lunch. You’ll just need to sit outside on one of their tables – which is fine by us!
The Botanist MediaCity
They’ve got a massive terrace up at The Botanist on MediaCity – so it’s a no brainer for them to get it open and start serving their lovely grub to us all. They always have a fantastic selection of beers here too – perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sun.
VietShack
We’ve received some rather cryptic messages about VietShack – but it seems that they’ll be opening their terrace on Great Ancoats Street for walk-ins from the 12th April. There’s a massive new bit of pavement down there now so they should be able to squeeze you all in.
Oké Poké
This is probably set to be the city’s smallest ‘terrace’ this April, but it doesn’t matter – the new rules mean that we can still enjoy ourselves a lovely bit of fresh poke sooner rather than later.
Lock 91
This old lock keeper’s cottage was turned into a boozer a fair few years back – and they’ve got themselves a cracking terrace out front – a relaxing and enjoyable place to watch the Locks at their best.
The Laundrette
One of the best places for a lovely roast dinner and some cocktails in Chorlton, The Laundrette will be opening on the 12th. Chorlton Green is going to be popping off if the weather is nice.
Cocoa Cabana
They’re already open for takeaway, so this April 12th Cocoa Cabana in Ancoats will be plonking a few tables and chairs outside their gaff so you can have a seat and watch the world o by with something tasty and hot.
Barca
This being Castlefield, it would be madness if you didn’t take this opportunity to swing open your doors – especially considering the sheer size of Barca’s outdoor terrace area. If there’s some good weather – expect this place to be BUSY! Walk-ins only.
Seven Brothers Middlewood Locks
The new Seven Brothers Brewhouse over at the Middlewood Locks development will be opening their doors so you can sit outside on the veranda and have a fair few cold ones with the mates.
Mecanica
Newly opened, Mecania at the top of Oldham Street will be opening up their outside area a bit later – from April 15th – no need to book – just rock up and enjoy the cocktails!
Scene Indian Street Food
Scene have a massive terrace down at Spinningfields – it’d be a massive shame not to use it at a time like this. So head on down, have some drinks, a bit of food and perhaps even a shisha – you’ll be covered and heated the whole time.
Eastern Bloc
There’s (almost) nowhere better for the sun than on that one side of Stevenson Square – with Flok and Eastern Bloc on it. Well, the record shop/cafe will be opening up their terrace from the 12th – so you can sit, drink and bath in that Vitamin D like a lizard.
