Northern Quarter bar favourite to close and ‘re-brand’ in early 2024

Cottonopolis, the Asian-inspired restaurant and bar based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter has announced its permanent closure after eight successful years, to make way for an exciting new concept.

The venue will not reopen as Cottonopolis in 2024, but instead owners, Nick and Hayley Muir have confirmed there are already plans underway to launch a new brand with a fresh fit-out and entirely new food & drink offering in the Grade II listed building in early 2024.

Cottonopolis Manchester

Cottonopolis initially launched in the historic building in the NQ in November 2015, serving Japanese food and some of the city’s best cocktails, but after careful consideration, the founders decided to close the much-loved Cottonopolis on a high after a busy festive period.

Director Nick Muir commented “Cottonopolis has become known as a staple part of the Northern Quarter bar & restaurant scene, we believe we’ve reached the end of our journey in its current guise.

“It’s been great, we’ve thrown some great parties, hosted weddings and worked with fantastic brands but we want to do something just as fresh. Like when it first came onto the NQ scene.

“It feels like the right time to bring a new concept.

“We’ve already been hard at work with our team behind the scenes to develop our next adventure, which will bring a new quality place to eat and drink to the NQ, with the same exceptional standards we’ve become known for at Edinburgh Castle. We’d like to thank all of our guests for their loyalty over the last eight years, and we’re looking forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you.”

What Will Replace it?

Further details will be revealed later this month, with plans to reopen to the public early ‘24.

Nick and Hayley Muir are also the directors behind the Edinburgh Castle pub on Blossom Street, Ancoats. They transformed the derelict 200-year-old pub in Ancoats, building up its reputation for exceptional food & drink, resulting in the pub recently being named as one of the best gastropubs in the UK.

Edinburgh Castle is the first Manchester city centre venue to make it into the shortlist for the Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs, which sees members within the hospitality industry including top chefs and food writers vote for their best places to eat.

The official rankings will be revealed at an official ceremony.

Further announcements will be released in due course.

Good luck on your new venture everyone!