The Blues Kitchen has announced it will be launching in early 2021 on Quay Street
Southern states-inspired restaurant, bar and 600-capacity late-night music spot, The Blues Kitchen, is set to take over the old Walkabout site near the Deansgate end of Quay Street early next year.
The former hospital and later Post Office building has remained largely empty since Walkabout vacated at the close of 2015 - aside from squatters who occupied the building in May and June of 2016.
In March 2019 Pernod Ricard - the spirits giant behind brands including Malibu, Absolut and Jameson - took over the top floor on a five-year lease with ‘The Loft,’ a 6000 sq ft 'unique experiential events' space based around the company's drinks portfolio.
Manchester, it’s such a cool city. It’s the only other city we’d consider doing anything in
The team behind the new BBQ-themed restaurant venue, which will occupy the rest of the building, are huge fans of blues music and share a passion for rare Bourbon as well as an obsession with southern barbecue, so food and drink menus will be heavily influenced by the Deep South. Expect Texan BBQ, burgers and bottomless brunches at weekends including American style fry-ups, buttermilk pancakes and creole crab Benedict.
There will be live music from local and international musicians seven nights a week and DJs playing timeless soul, funk, rock n roll & roots music into the small hours every weekend.
Blues Kitchen currently has three London-based venues in Camden, Shoreditch and Brixton, which opened in 2009 and houses London’s largest Bourbon collection.
Steve Ball, CEO of the Columbo Group, which owns Blues Kitchen, said: “When we decided to spread our wings it had to be Manchester, it’s such a cool city. It’s the only other city we’d consider doing anything in.”
While you are waiting for The Blues Kitchen to open, visit their website and Instagram
