Bundobust brewery announces Manchester opening date – with free beer

Indian street food and craft beer venue Bundobust opened in Manchester Piccadilly in 2016 and immediately became a hit with the city.

Now, they have announced the opening date for their second site, which has been under construction since 2019.

Located in the Grade II-listed St James Building on Oxford Street, this second Manchester site comes in the form of a 150-seat taproom and restaurant – within a fully-functioning brewery. 

“We were due to open in May 2020,” says Marko Husak, Bundobust co-founder.

“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”. 

Already well-known for its discerning taste in craft beers and a line-up of collabs with internationally renowned breweries, Bundobust now has the facility to brew its very own, right on site.

Now complete, the 10-hectolitre custom-build is capable of producing 20,000 pints per month.

And to celebrate, a brand new Vienna-style Lager, Cartway Lager, will be available exclusively at the brewery upon opening.

The new brew takes its name from the historic ‘Cartway’ space within the St James Building that the brewery occupies. 

“Vienna Lager has a fantastic balance of sweetness and bitterness, and it’s the best all-rounder beer style to pair with food,” says Dan Hocking, Bundobust Brewery’s head brewer, who has spent the past year perfecting recipes behind closed doors in the state-of-the-art facility.

The overall design of the new site is influenced by US brewpubs, with a nod to German beer hall camaraderie. 

Each chair is made from 40 recycled plastic water bottles, while school desks have been repurposed into beer hall-style tables, complete with “I Woz ‘Ere” etchings. 

Keep an eye out for original features from the space’s previous incarnation as a car park, from vintage alarm bells and glazed bricks to ‘Drive Slowly’ signage.

A show-stopping giant glass atrium mirrors the Piccadilly branch’s glass apex. 

“The opportunity to carve out an iconic Manchester building from scratch has been a massive undertaking, and we’re excited to welcome people in,” says Mayur Patel, Bundobust co-founder.

“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.”

Bundobust Brewery will open its doors in the St James Building on Oxford Street on 16th September 2021 at 4pm – and what better way to celebrate than a free pint? The first 200 are being given away on the day for free (with the purchase of food).