Bundobust's second Manchester restaurant is finally almost ready to open its doors, after the pandemic halted plans for almost 18 months.
Their new site comes with its own in-house brewery, capable of producing 20,000 pints of beer a month.
To celebrate the opening of the 150-seat taproom and restaurant, Bundobust is giving away 200 free pints next week too.
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Bundobust has consistently earned itself rave reviews since it launched in Leeds in 2014, making its way over to Manchester and into an underground site just off Piccadilly Gardens two years later.
The restaurant is famed for its Gujarati street food, served in compostable paper tubs and plates, and its selection of craft beers including its own collaborations with breweries.
This new opening will allow it to brew its own beer, right on site, for the first time.
Since the news of the second Manchester site broke in 2019, the team has been busy turning the old car park in the Grade II-listed St James Building into a 10-hectolitre custom brewery.
Dan Hocking, former head brewer at Holland’s world-renowned Uiltje Brewery, has spent the past year perfecting recipes while the doors have been shuttered.
The beer menu will include a Vienna-style lager available exclusively at the brewery, with the Cartway Lager name a nod to the historic 'Cartway' space.
The design of the space has been influenced by brewpubs in the USA, with a nod to German beer halls.
Each chair is made from 40 recycled plastic bottles, while tables have been created from old school desks.
Several reminders of the space's history as a car park remain, like vintage alarm bells, 'drive slowly' signs, and glazed brickwork.
Overhead, just like the Piccadilly site, is a huge glass atrium ceiling.
Marko Husak, Bundobust co-founder said: "We were due to open in May 2020. The past 18 months have slowed us down, but the delay has meant that we’ve been able to develop our beer recipes.
"Expect the familiar Bundobust vibe and menu, with the bonus of being in a working brewery."
Mayur Patel, Bundobust co-founder, said: "The opportunity to carve out an iconic Manchester building from scratch has been a massive undertaking, and we’re excited to welcome people in.
"We’re looking forward to opening a unique space alongside theatres and gig venues, Oxford Road station, and great pubs like The Peveril of the Peak."
Chris Middleton, Bruntwood senior retail and leisure manager, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Bundobust to St James’.
"We couldn’t think of any better team to transform this extraordinary space, and they have done a magnificent job.
"Marko and Mayur’s creativity will add hugely to the already vibrant Oxford Road corridor."
The Bundobust Brewery will open at 4pm on September 16, with 200 free pints to the first people to order food.
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