Since it first opened in the summer of 2020, Freight Island has transformed itself into one the UK’s most exciting urban market and entertainment space and it’s soon reopening its doors once more. Escape To Freight Island is set to reopen at Depot Mayfield in Manchester on April 1 (this is no joke, by the way) with 12 new kitchens joining the 55,000-square-feet food hall.
Continuing to champion the independent, the 12 new kitchens at Freight Island 2.3 will see some new food concepts, as well as some of the much-loved and celebrated traders from the North West and beyond coming to Depot Mayfield.
Returning to the city of Manchester via Freight Island 2.3 are the delightful cheesecake on a stick from Oh My Cheesecake, coffee and bakes from Choo Choo, and the long-awaited return of Fry By serving some serious fries with hand-cut selected potatoes alongside its speciality sauces, with an exciting addition of a fried fish menu. New food concepts will see the unveiling of Mega Gyros Mediterranean Street Food, a unique sushi house KOKO, and an updated outdoor BBQ spot The Smoking Coal.
Other Manchester gems set to join the food hall this April are slab shack from Lazy Tony’s Lasagnaria, award-winning curry in a pie from Patel’s Pies, Payal bringing their tandoors and serving up freshly made Momo and Indian street food, Venezuelan cuisine from Mia’s Arepas, some sweet goodness from critically acclaimed Get Baked, and the luscious Ice Cream Hut when the sun’s shining at Freight Island’s huge beer garden.
Existing traders staying at Freight Island include the premium smashed burgers sensation Burgerism, giant 22” pizza and slices from Voodoo Ray’s, a selection of cheese, charcuterie and carefully curated small plates from the Forever Changes deli kitchen alongside their over 100 bin natural and low intervention wines. Other bar offerings include The Jane Eyre serving up classic and seasonal cocktails, an extended Tap Room serving 12 craft lines of the best new and favourite craft beers, plus a new darts snug.
The redesigned outdoor terrace will also house a new free to use Pétanque pitch. Another addition to the outdoor space is a viewing balcony overlooking the 6.5 acres Mayfield Park which is open for its first summer and has access straight in and out of Freight Island for those wanting to grab something to eat and drink on their visit.
Also happening at Freight Island as part of its new programming, is the monthly pop-up markets. The much-loved independent Rare Finds Flea Market will curate a Late Night Bazaar every first Thursday of the month featuring fashion and lifestyle brands, as well as a daytime family market every last Sunday of the month.
Over at the mezzanine area, Freight Island has transformed a new Gaming and Sports Bar featuring over 20 arcade machines including Guitar Hero, Dance Nation and much more. The new sports bar will host screening of all major tournaments such as the Premier League, World Cup, EURO, Six Nations, Wimbledon, NFL, F1, Eurovision and more. The sports bar boasts one of the city’s largest permanent HD screens.
Freight Island will be reopening to the public on Saturday 1st April. The opening hours are every Thursday from 4pm until 11pm, Friday from 4pm until 12am, Saturday from 12pm until 12am, and every Sunday from 12pm until 10pm. There’s no need to book and Freight Island is now walk-up only (aside from large parties of 10 or more). All guests are welcomed to grab any free seats upon arrival and can stay for as long as they like.
Find Escape to Freight Island at 11 Baring Street, M1 2PZ.