It feels like we’ve waited a long time to have a Joy Division inspired restaurant in Manchester, seeing as they’re arguably the most famous band to come out of the city, but finally Disorder has opened. Fittingly located in the Northern Quarter, the venue is a love letter to Manchester, dreamt up by college friends James Stewart and Sam Koropisz from Stockport.
Sam explains: “James and I bonded over our love of Manchester and discovering new bars. James and I discussed the idea of opening a bar as far back as 2017. Since then, Disorder has been our passion and we’ve put so much thought and consideration into every element and ensuring it works together as a whole – we can’t wait to open our doors and invite the city in.”
Disorder provides a casual dining experience with influences from Japan to Mexico, with head chef Bryan Barber drawing on his experience of classic French training, a unique, historic twist on British cuisine, BBQ smokehouse and sushi. Small dishes with Asian twists include Mexican style tostadas, the Chicken Katsu features katsu curry chicken and Asian slaw, delicious Buldak fries as well as Japanese sandos with fillings like apple wood cheddar and bacon jam.
Bryan said: “I am passionate about creativity and cooking with no borders or restrictions. The menu works so well as it offers a broad range of flavours and references, but they all work in a cohesive way. It’s not being inventive for the sake of it. At Disorder, we’re introducing unknown pleasures and my menu is definitely unknown pleasures for the tastebuds.”
Disorder Manchester covers two floors of the former Man With The Fish site, with the restaurant on the ground floor, and the lower floor housing a speakeasy and dive bar, playing host to live music from bands, DJs, rap artists and more. Across both floors, the back bar rivals those on a world class stage with ‘unknown pleasures’ from a variety of international beers and delicious, bespoke cocktails, as well as the classics. There is also a specially commissioned mural of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis on the interior of the venue, reminding us all what a fitting tribute Disorder is to the band that inspired it all.
Disorder can be found at 78-88 High Street, M4 1BD and opens on February 17.