The brand new all-day cafe bar and workspace inside Manchester Central

Junction, the new cafe, bar, restaurant and social workspace concept brought to the city by Manchester Central has opened its doors.

Built under the iconic arch of Manchester Central, one of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues, Junction is now open to welcome workers, tourists and families alike as a place to eat, drink, meet or relax.

A place to game-plan the day with great coffee in the morning, catch up on emails at lunch, make connections with new contacts, and meet friends over cocktails and locally sourced small plates in the evening.

A place for everyone, all day, every day

Situated at the front of Manchester Central, Junction, opening this month, will be a first for the Petersfield area of the city, combining a modern, small-plate menu and evening cocktail offering, with a unique, daytime social workspace and cafe.

Pinks, jades and corals have been used in the design amongst industrial curved architecture which subtly reflects the history of the former railway station.

During the day, Junction’s light, airy and relaxing lounge vibe offers coffees, pastries and brunch, with small plates from 12pm.

Relaxing sofas cater for breakfast or lunch catch ups, while separated booths offer a private yet cosy atmosphere for meeting with colleagues, friends or new contacts.

The intimate restaurant, smartly tucked to the side, presents an open kitchen for lunch, after work and weekend dining.

With industrial curved architecture reflecting the history of the former railway station, it will provide a relaxing, modern space for professionals, tourists and business leaders to meet, greet, wine and dine.

Last month the venue announced several key hires to their kitchen team, with Liam Raynor, formerly of The Lowry in Salford Quays joining as Head Chef.

The intimate restaurant, smartly tucked to the side, presents an open kitchen for lunch, after work and weekend dining, where the head chef works his magic in front of diners preparing modern takes on European classics.

Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and showcasing locally-sourced meats, specialities include Rare Bred Pork Schnitzel with Burford Brown egg, or Stone Bass with pressed potato, samphire, mussels, vermouth and paprika sauce, while smaller plates cater for those in need of a quick bite including Salt Cod Croquettes and Muhammara Flatbread with walnuts, onion powder, Lombardi chillis and sumac.

In the evening, the venue’s mood lighting helps transform the space into an elegant yet heady atmosphere, with bar stools for a quick pick me up, or scattered sofas for wind downs.

Cocktails become the evening centrepiece, where Will Alston has created 15 unique tastes, including Tenth Summer – a delicate mix of Havana 7yr, pickled cherry, honey and lemon; or the A Factor Sour – a refreshing blend of El Tequileno reposado, Avallen Calvados, agave, sherbet apple and citrus; one of several cocktails also available as non-alcoholic.

Lori Hoinkes, Chief Executive at Manchester Central, said, “We are very excited about the opening of Junction. This will be an amazing offering not only for the city’s hospitality sector but for the people who live and work here.

“We want to launch a space where guests feel comfortable grabbing a coffee on the go, meeting colleagues over brunch or simply winding down in the afternoon over a fresh glass of wine while looking out onto Petersfield and watching the city go by.

“I am especially looking forward to meeting everyone personally – we want this space to be part of the fabric of the city, and the place to go whether you are a working professional, a tourist visiting this wonderful city or a delegate coming to an event in the wider venue. This truly will be a modern place for everyone.”

To find out more, visit their website