Places to celebrate May Bank Holiday in Manchester

Get into the spirit of a three-day weekend by treating yourself to a slice (or ten) from the fifth best pizzeria in Europe. Spoken like a household name amongst Manchester folk, Rudy’s is the ideal spot for a casual Sunday session, fuelled by authentic pizza and beer for various local breweries. Neapolitan pizza truly doesn’t get better than this – crafted from fresh dough, top-quality ingredients and a blast in the wood fired oven. Since the first neighbourhood kitchen in Ancoats, the pizza pioneers have taken the UK by storm – and they’ll be opening the 10th member of the Rudy’s family in Chorlton this summer.

With that extra day to recover from a heavy head, why not use the bank holiday to sample one of the biggest tequila and mezcal selections in town? With over 100 different varieties of the hard stuff and walls colourfully adorned in South American street art, El Capo is the place to be for any late-night shenanigans. Far from just a boozy bar, the Northern Quarter joint also serves all the staples of Mexican street food, from bulging burritos to spicy soft-shell tacos. The tequila-infused cocktail menu includes the likes of Banditos Iced Tea and a Mezcal Mule – the team are also known for whipping up a mean Margarita. 

Since it opened its doors in Northern Quarter heartland Thomas Street last year, The Smithfield Social has established itself as one of the area’s coolest spots to wine and dine. It was launched by Liam Fray, frontman of the Courteeners and Manchester’s very own indie darling, alongside two leading hospitality figures behind the likes of TNQ and The Liar’s Group. Paying homage to the historic Smithfield Market down the road, the venue hits the sweet spot with its various menus, combining an exciting selection of small plates with an extensive list of tipples. Whether you fancy a boozy brunch or a decadent Sunday roast, there’s even al fresco seating to soak up that May-Day sunshine. 

Usher in the season of sun this bank holiday by tucking into some Mediterranean tapas. Situated on the corner of Cutting Room Square, Canto is a modern, Portuguese-inspired affair from the team behind the upmarket El Gato Negro. Using a mix of both local ingredients and those imported fresh from the continent, you can expect a colourful and rustic menu, featuring the likes of chargrilled peri-peri chicken, salt cod fritters and mushroom croquetas. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s also an impressive list of desserts, including traditional custard tarts and homemade ice cream. 

Drawing on summer nights spent with friends and good food around an open fire in California, The Firehouse is successfully spinning a lot of plates from the ex-MOT garage that it shares with popular pizzeria Ramona. Part lazy hangout, part lively performance venue, it promises ‘slow fires’ and ‘wild spirits,’ with the menu revolving around the signature Firehouse chicken, coated in peri spices and charred over an open flame. Come evening, the venue is transformed into an intimate disco, offering an eclectic mix of DJ sets, dance crews and arthouse performances. You can expect an epic lineup to celebrate The Firehouse’s first May Bank Holiday weekend.

From the team behind successful seasonal ventures Bar Hütte and Great Northern Beach Club, Pong & Puck is a retro social spot, offering all our favourite activities from shuffleboard to table tennis. Decked out in old-school graffiti and soundtracked by the biggest tunes from the 80s and 90s, you can shuffle, pong and puck to your heart’s content, while sipping on one of the nostalgia-inspired cocktails. If you prefer bubbles over pints, there’s even prosecco pong on offer. Like many pop-ups in the constantly evolving Great Northern Warehouse, Pong & Puck won’t be around forever, so the May Bank Holiday is the perfect opportunity to challenge your mates to some drinking games.