A major new food, drink and music destination will open in Manchester’s Northern Quarter next month, bringing open fire cooking, handcrafted cocktails and exceptional sound together under one roof, and one name: Dahlia.
Created by WANT STUDIOS, the original creative team behind Ramona, The Firehouse and some of Manchester’s most renowned hospitality and nightlife destinations, Dahlia has been designed as one complete experience across two levels.
The venue brings together three connected concepts:
- Barbacoa Cósmica, an open fire grill kitchen inspired by Latin America and the southern states of America
- Bar Más Bonita, a central Liquorita (liquor store) specialising in tequila, mezcal, rum and Latin spirits
- Dahlia Stereo, an intimate music first space built around a bespoke sound system.
Barbacoa Cósmica
At the heart of Dahlia is Barbacoa Cósmica, Dahlia’s Cosmic Barbecue and the Northern Quarter’s first open fire grill kitchen. Inspired by the campfire and barbecue cooking traditions of Latin America and the southern sunshine states of America, the menu travels from San Diego to Jalisco and Mexico City to Oaxaca.
Guests will be able to sit at the kitchen counter and watch Dahlia’s chefs cook over fire, serving freshly made tortillas, charbreads and vibrant sharing plates directly from the grill. The concept is the result of years spent travelling, tasting and exploring regional recipes, ingredients and fire cooking techniques across Latin America.
Will Taplin, Executive Chef at Dahlia and the original chef behind Ramona and The Firehouse, said: “Barbacoa Cósmica is the result of everything we have experienced and loved during our travels across Latin America. It is generous, energetic and completely driven by flavour. If something is on the menu, it is because we genuinely love it, and we hope Manchester will love it too.”
Bar Más Bonita
The Latin American influence continues into Bar Más Bonita, meaning “most beautiful bar”. Taking inspiration from the neighbourhood liquor stores found throughout Latin America, Dahlia’s central Liquorita will specialise in tequila, mezcal, rum and other Latin spirits.
The drinks programme will be bold, vibrant and full of personality, with cocktails created to complement the smoke, spice and intensity of the open fire kitchen. While its influences stretch across countries and cultures, the final experience will remain unmistakably Manchester: independent, creative and built for a good time.
Dahlia Stereo
Food, drink, interiors, sound and atmosphere have all been developed as part of one connected venue. As the evening develops, Dahlia will move naturally from restaurant and bar into Dahlia Stereo, an intimate late night space spread across two levels but united by a single atmosphere.
The entire venue has been designed by DJs, sound engineers and acoustic specialists to create a music-first dining and nightlife experience. Every element of the room, from the positioning of the speakers to the shape and materials of the interiors, has been considered around how music should sound and feel.
After 9pm, Dahlia Stereo will welcome some of the best selectors from Manchester and beyond. Gilles Peterson, Quantic, Gia Fu, DJ Die and Joey Thor are already confirmed to perform during September, with further artists and the official launch weekend still to be announced. The music programme has been curated by two of Manchester’s leading musical figures, Jonjo Williams of Maribou State and Rich Reason of Hit & Run.
Jonjo Williams said: “We want to create the energy of an intimate club within a bar and restaurant. We are deliberately keeping capacity below 250 so the experience always feels personal, immersive and connected. Dahlia has been designed by the best DJs for the best DJs, but ultimately it has been created for anyone who truly loves music.”
At the centre of Dahlia Stereo is a bespoke sound system handmade by the internationally renowned Hatchett Sound. The system and the venue’s acoustics have been technically designed by Jonny “Oppo” of Neuron Audio to deliver exceptional sound throughout both floors.
Jonny “Oppo” said: “We have been building and working with sound systems for years, but Manchester’s bars and restaurants have never had an installation at this level. Every detail of the room has been designed around how music should sound and feel. It is genuinely exciting for the city.”
Almost every element has been made by hand by the Dahlia team and its network of independent artisans and specialist suppliers. From the open fire grill and bespoke sound system to the upholstery, artwork and the team’s own bottled Latin spirits, craft is central to the entire experience.
The result is a venue built around food made over fire, drinks mixed with purpose, music heard exactly as its selectors intended and an atmosphere created specifically for Manchester. Dahlia is part of the newly developed and soon to open The Hive, x+y’s new co-working building on Lever Street in the Northern Quarter.
Follow @dahliastereo and visit dahliastereo.com for reservations, first access and future announcements.
📍 You’ll be able to find Dahlia at 47-51 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN.
