Set your weekend alight with The Firehouse 

The promise of slow fires and wild spirits 

While Ramona next door is inspired by the steel pan pizzas of Detroit, The Firehouse is equally inspired by the owner’s frequent trips across the pond – however, this time the inspiration comes from the opposite coastline with evenings spent in the Californian sun. Despite the complimentary atmospheres of the two venues, The Firehouse brings an entirely different concept to the table.

Although its strapline ‘Wild Slow Days’ may read as an oxymoron, it couldn’t be more apt for the constantly evolving space. The promise of slow fires refers to the rustic cooking methods used at The Firehouse, with the signature chicken, smothered in peri spices and charred over an open flame. Wild spirits can be found at the onsite bar, which is shared with fellow garage residents. From tequila made from the volcanic water of Mexico, to cachaça distilled from fermented sugarcane, the bar offers a range of alcohol rarely found in other city centre haunts – alongside countless variations of the popular margarita.

The best peri-peri chicken north of the Algarve 

When it comes to the food offering at The Firehouse, the menu is concise and focused on one key dish – a main of either char-grilled peri chicken or oyster mushroom kabob. These signature centrepieces are carefully crafted, using sustainably sourced produce, and cooked lovingly over a wood grill. This is accompanied by a range of rustic sides, vegetable dishes and loaded breads, such as roasted squash, crushed roast fingerling potatoes and Italian stracciatella. The star of the show, however, is the fluffy pita bread which is baked in-house and served warm. If you have room for dessert, choose from decadent baked chocolate pudding and soft vanilla ice cream.

On Sunday, the food menu diversifies to offer a top quality roast dinner. The ‘slow fire’ method is perfectly suited to a traditional roast, but instead of peri chicken you can choose from slow cooked lamb shoulder and topside of Lancashire beef. Each one comes with all the trimmings, including massive Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, honey roasted veg and lashings of house gravy. While the concept of the menu is simple, the dishes are prepared using ‘low and slow’ techniques to draw out the flavour from the fresh ingredients. The sharing nature of the small plates encourages diners to set up camp in the welcoming space and stay for hours on end, grazing their way through the menu and soaking up the positive vibes. The restaurant area itself is open and airy, aiming for industrial chic with glitter balls sparkling from the high ceiling – you might even be invited to sit at the exclusive chef’s table.

Cocktails lovingly handmade in-house

Representing the venue’s ‘wild’ ethos, The Firehouse also specialises in the signature spirits of Latin America – including tequila, mezcal and cachaça, complimented with fresh ingredients such as sugarcane, agave and grape. Tossed together to create some refreshing concoctions, these cocktails are prepared in-house by trained mixologists – sometimes over the course of several days. With a house tequila hailing from Jalisco in Mexico and combining volcanic mineral water with sweet agave, it’s only natural that The Firehouse serves countless variations of the zesty margarita – including popular frozen versions with fruity flavours. There’s also beer on tap from independent breweries around the city and an in-house coffee counter using beans from the local Blossom Coffee Roasters.

Championing the local independent scene 

Come evening, The Firehouse is transformed into an intimate disco, offering an eclectic mix of DJ sets, flamboyant dance crews and arthouse performances. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the sweet sounds of local bands and DJs, and there’s a huge roster of live entertainment that champions independent acts all year round. Bringing the party to the heart of Ancoats, the venue hosts a Runway party several nights of the week, which brings local dance acts together for an evening of fierce fashion and colourful costumes.