News

News

News reaches Taste of Manchester that a new bar is opening in the Northern Quarter, under Afflecks Palace.

There's been an influx of upmarket bars moving into the cool, chin-stroking vicinity of Oldham Street and it looks like Blackdog Ballroom is about to join that list.

Branded as a "slice of New York city's secret downtown speakeasy style", this new uber-cool bar is due to open on October 15. I'm already worried they won't let me in!

The bar is offering late night gourmet burgers and pizzas, draught beers and pool tables.
 
It gets even more intriguing - Blackdog Ballroom will have secret rooms policed by password! As long as those rooms are not the toilets, I'll be ok. Although bars in train stations tend to have toilet codes to stop any old non-drink-buying passerby taking a leak, so it's not an entirely new concept. But I digress.

This new drinking den is being launched by Ross Mackenzie, of One Central Street (which has now closed), Sankey’s and The Purple Pussycat, and Jobe Ferguson of the Northern Quarter Restaurant and Bar. 

Ross Mackenzie said: "The Northern Quarter is a thriving community with a variety of different venues but we feel there is space for something with the personality of the Blackdog Ballroom. Our inspiration comes from the speakeasy style and secrecy of the unique bars found in NYC such as Employees Only and PDT. 

"The name is inspired by Churchill’s infamous ‘black dog’ depressive moods in an attempt to create the ultimate environment to lighten even the darkest of days.”

Jobe Ferguson added, "With simple, gourmet food and great quality drinks we wanted to re-create the desirability of New York’s underground bar and diner scene, while keeping it accessible. 

"We’re looking to attract Northern Quarter residents and workers, and expect word to soon catch on to the rest of the city, then the North West.
 
"What’s more both Ross and I live both in the heart of the Northern Quarter right next to the Blackdog and hope to create a new local which will become the heart and soul of the scene for both ourselves and our fellow residents."
 
The space under Afflecks Palace used to be inhabited by Isobar and Club North, but has recently housed DJs and live music acts in its temporary guise as pop-up bar, Blink.