If Manchester ever needed an excuse to come alive (and it certainly doesn’t), Christmas would be it. Glowing from all corners of the city, it’s the time of year that no bar or restaurant disappoints – with hospitality venues city-wide going all out for the festivities. And Hatch, of all places, really understood the Christmas assignment.
Decking out their urban shipping container village with festive neon and glowing lights aplenty, you’ll find a whole host of incredible Christmassy food and drink offerings. Plus, there’s a roster of entertainment and workshops, all to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Beginning the celebrations from November 9, Hatch will be oozing Christmas spirit right up until December 23, with tons of events and festive offerings to enjoy as the season goes on. From Christmas carols to biscuit making workshops, there’ll be a little something for every vibe this festive season – with a packed roster of events set to be revealed really soon.
Putting a Christmassy twist on the grub, Hatch’s food traders are also offering seasonal grub, too, including Parmageddon‘s epic buttermilk Chicken Parmo fused with everybody’s favourite Christmas dinner trimmings: pigs in blankets, deep fried stuffing and homemade chicken gravy. From Christmassy twists, such as FUKU’s veggie spring rolls with special cranberry sauce to classic winter warmers including Bondi Bowls’ homemade soups, there’s something to suit everyone this season.
And the feast doesn’t stop there. Tuck into Fairytale of New Pork hotdog with a pot of gravy for dipping by German Bratwurst bosses, Grandad’s Sausages, Sprout and Bacon Loaded Fries from Kong’s and Christmas Cannolis made with authentic Panettone by Sicilian street food supremos T’arricrri. Hatch newbies Block Steak Shop are serving their locally reared, grass fed, free range steak with a festive twist – topped with melted gruyere and caramelised onion served over beef dripping chips. Alternatively, try their deep fried camembert served with spicy tomato dip and float away to cheese heaven.
Spice up the festive season with Cheeky Tikka‘s Winter Daal Bowl or Christmas Chapli Burger – two minced and spiced chicken patties, oozing with spicy mayo and raita, as part of their Christmas Platter Box. Hatch’s vegan residents, Herbivorous, have created some plant-based Christmas treats, too. There’s a ‘turkey’ & stuffing burger on the menu, as well as red wine gravy fries, which will be sure to cause some serious vegan food envy.
Plus, in collaboration with Malibu, Hatch has opened a magical pop-up grotto bar for the festive period and available to visit up until December 19. The ‘Malibu Cocktail Grotto’ is situated in two units next to the main stage at Hatch and will be serving a stunning selection of Christmas cocktails that are certain to warm guests up this winter. Cocktails on offer include the Pina Snowlada , the Clementine Cosmo, the Jolly Gingerbread Man and there’s also a limited edition Patrón XO Cafe Espresso Martini on offer, as well as a Malibu Hot Chocolate, Hot Toddies and Mulled Wine.
Malibu and COY Biscuits will be collaborating to bring guests a Biscuit and Cocktail Masterclass, hosted in the Grotto. The interactive workshop experience will allow guests to learn all the top secret tricks of the trade when making biscuits. A Malibu Hot Chocolate will be served to guests on arrival, before they learn how to make a Pina Snowlada during the masterclass. All Coy Biscuits are vegan friendly and guests will of course be able to take their festive biscuit masterpieces home with them.
Tickets can be purchased from the Hatch website and cost £15 per person plus booking fee. Masterclasses will take place on December 15 & 16, 6pm-8pm. A ‘Mali-beautician’ will also be popping up within the Cocktail Grotto in the lead up to Christmas, perfect for guests fancying a festive pampering, which includes festive makeup and glitter hairstyles.
On December 18, local Manchester choir ‘Chorlton Sings’ will be taking to the stage, performing Christmas classics, with a twist. Hatch and its 30+ traders across retail, food and drink is open seven days a week, and is catering for all kinds of groups this Christmas.