Two years since the team behind Ramona breathed new life into the decaying MOT station left on Swan Street, they’re back with another exciting destination sure to make you even more excited for summer. Announcing their newest project, the creative team has resurrected one of the biggest factories and metalworks in Manchester – Diecast Presbar Factory near Piccadilly – completely transforming it into a beer and food hall with a brewery, a bakery and even a night market.
Located between Store Street and Ducie Street, behind Manchester Piccadilly train station, DieCast is the latest concept from the team behind Ramona and The Firehouse. The 5,000 capacity venue will open in phases with the first one, known as Leno Ex Machina, arriving this summer and launching a series of free parties between July 6 and 9.
First to open is the vast outside space. Home to Manchester’s biggest beer garden, House of Daiquiri, Rum Caravans, Open Air BBQ Kitchen and following on from the acclaimed Ramona, a hotly anticipated new ‘NeoPan’ pizzeria. The first of its kind in the city and just in time for summer and also serving fresh and zesty Italian small plates, wood-fired Piadino, Leno Burgers and more.
Alongside the pizzeria, BBQ kitchens, in house beer and kombucha brewery, is another Manchester first as it will also host a beer garden surrounded by Rum Caravans, available for parties of up to 40 people and ‘House of Daiquiri’ specialising in Frozen Daiquiris, Pina Coladas, as well as Heritage and New World rum. They’ll be 64 frozen combinations of Daiquiri pouring from the 20 frozen daiquiri machines, which dominate the huge central bar and stage.
Emphasising the size of the task, Joel Wilkinson, DieCast Director and owner, said: “We’re taking all our learnings from Ramona and The Firehouse, but this time it’s on an industrial scale. It’s more than a venue. It’s an area within itself. A new creative neighbourhood for the city.”
When fully complete inside and out, DieCast will be home to a night market, Brewing Co., warehouse restaurant, and a huge festival stage. As well as Manchester’s biggest beer garden and a creative hub.
Due to the sheer scale of the site, the city centre location and striking industrial aesthetics, DieCast is already in use as the industrial backdrop for events, parties, shoots, and film locations.
Creative Director Adelaide Winter said: “The Factory floor and Machine Works are already being used for creative events, filmmakers, musicians and event producers to use. This is the first part of establishing DieCast as a new creative resource for the city, but this summer we will finally open the garden to the public for the first time.”
You can sign up for a free, limited Grand Opening Party ticket – each ticket is valid for four people and a Daiquiri on arrival for your attendees. The sessions take place on Thursday 6th July, Friday 7th July, Saturday 8th July and Sunday 9th July.