THE ‘super group’ of NQ bar operators behind Wilderness Bar + Kitchen have announced an August 15 opening date but are not giving an awful lot away yet – except that this ‘three storey eating, drinking and lifestyle venue’ is radically different from previous site occupants Odd and Folk & Soul.
Food and drink menus are informed by seasonality and the best available produce, the cooking will be modern European in style with innovative dishes cooked over coals, all overseen by head chef James Lord (ex-Manchester House). Images released ar enigmatic hots of a hand placing well marbled meat on those coals.
The bar is headed up by the brilliant Adam Day (below, ex El Gato Negro, Peggy’s Bar), promising a natural cocktail menu, pairing house made ingredients, seasonal produce and quality spirits. It will also offer low ABV cocktails, natural wines and craft beers.
The ground floor will be an ‘engaging’ all day space, the first floor centred on the cocktail operation plus a seasonal small plate menu.
The basement Innovation Room will be a creative space for both the chefs and the bartenders to explore new flavours. The table is set within the working kitchen and can also be booked out for private dining and tasting menus.
Mof Gimmers, resident record buyer at sister site Wilderness Record Store, Withington, will be curating the music offering; booking his favourite DJs and playing new releases, classics and vinyl reissues.
This will be the second site then operated by the award winning team of Dan Morris (ex Cottonopolis and Trof Group), Mat Lake and Bart Murphy both of Junkyard Golf Club and Bunny Jacksons and Lyndon Higginson from Liars Group, Junkyard and Bunny Jacksons. Higginson has designed and chosen the artwork throughout the space.
Wilderness Bar + Kitchen, 30-32, Thomas St, Manchester M4 1ER. Open from August 15, 11.30am until 12am Sunday-Wednesday, 1am on Thursday and until 2am Friday and Saturday. Food served 12pm-10pm.