If you’ve taken yourself off for a lunch time jaunt down Oldham Street recently, you’ve probably noticed the signs for The Mean Eyed Cat, Manchester’s newest dive bar.
Taking over the former new wave Thai restaurant District, the Leeds-born venue has gained quite the following already as it has been a stalwart of the West Yorkshire bar scene for over 20 years.
The bar takes influence from the deep south and is known for its high-energy parties that might even see you leave without spending a penny. The much-loved Roll the Dice game decides your fortune - simply roll a six and get your round for free, every time.
Once open, The Mean Eyed Cat will also offer a no strings attached free pizza deal every single day. The free pizzas are available with every drink from 5-9pm seven days a week. You can choose from toppings inluding cheeseburger, chipotle fajita and buffalo cauliflower.
Meanwhile, the cocktail menu gives nod to several Johnny Cash-themed drinks, such as Walk The Lime, made with Absolut lime vodka, apple juice, sugar syrup, cream, lime curd and a sprinkling of lime zest and Ting of Fire a zesty, fruity, vodka number with watermelon liqueur and Ting grapefruit juice.
In the basement of The Mean Eyed Cat, a Hawaiian-themed rum shack called the ‘Tiki Hideaway’ will offers guests a menu of Caribbean cocktails and and its famous Flaming Zombie, a drink not for the faint hearted. With two other late night venues in Leeds and Liverpool, the bar plans to follow in suit, staying open until the early hours every evening.
The venues are owned by independent hospitality firm Escapism Bars, which has bars in Leeds and Liverpool, and also plans to open venues in Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield over the next two years.
Grant Dexter, Managing Director at Escapism Bars, said: “With many hospitality firms and venues feeling the pinch due to the energy crisis and cost of living, it’s exciting to be able to open this awesome venue, which includes not one but two incredible bars, in this popular area in Manchester which spans the NQ and Ancoats.
“We opened The Mean-Eyed Cat in Leeds back in 2004 and it has stood the test of time, attracting students, after work drinkers, party goers and anyone that likes to let their hair down. We can’t wait to see what Manchester’s legendary revellers make of the venues!”
The Mean Eyed Cat opens on Oldham Street on Thursday 28 September.