The Evolution of Escape to Freight Island...

ESCAPE TO FREIGHT ISLAND – MANCHESTER’S BEATING HEART OF FOOD, DRINK AND ENTERTAINMENT – CONTINUES ON ITS EVOLUTION WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN ALL-NEW STELLAR OFFERING AS IT REINVENTS ITSELF ONCE MORE

The ever-evolving curation of stunning food and drink that is offered at Escape to Freight Island has always been at the forefront of its ethos, and this has cemented its place at the very top of the UK’s most talked-about culinary destinations.

This coupled with an entertainment calendar that is unsurpassed in a venue of its kind, offers regular patrons and first-time visitors a new experience with every visit.

Announcing a new Spring schedule across the board with something for everyone. Highlights include…

• Exciting new traders, from local favourites to national chef heroes – the phenomenal Burgerism, much-loved Batard and Gooey, brand-new concept offering deep fried Lucky Foot Chicken, and a collaboration concept with chef Richard Turner for a new grill venture Carnival.
• A brand-new roller skate rink, Good Life Skates, opening this Spring – sign up to www.goodlifeskates.com or email hello@goodlifeskates.com to be in the mailing list // @goodlifeskates
• An all-day Sunday FREE festival series and family happenings, Better Days, with renowned DJs and local legends such as Erol Alkan, Sally Rodgers (A Man Called Adam), DJ Paulette and more – commencing on Sunday 17th April with a big launch party // www.escapetobetterdays.com/home // @escapetobetterdays
• Full week of entertainment with highlighted events every Wednesday to Sunday

Located on Baring Street, amid the thrilling regeneration of Depot Mayfield, Escape to Freight Island is located on an inspiring urban landscape - inside with the stunning industrial venue and outside with the unique festival-inspired.

Opening five days a week on Wednesday to Sunday, the visionary food market will see a new selection of traders this Spring – with all set to be in place by May 2022, featuring local favourites and national food heroes. First up is Carnival, a new collaboration concept with Richard Turner, co-founder of some of the best grill restaurants in the country including Hawksmoor, Pitt Cue Co, Blacklock and Meatopia Festival. Turner and the team will be taking over the grill of what previously was Baratxuri.

Using the best meat from a single producer farm, Carnival menu highlights will include fine cuts of Premium Rib, Porterhouse and T-Bone steak, as well as Pork Chop with apple tamarind ketchup, Lobster with wild garlic, Smoked Beef short ribs, Crispy Fried Scampi, and Potato Gratin with anchovy and parmesan. Even more special, for those who like to see the action, a limited Front Row Seat tasting menu from Richard Turner will also be available as part of an exclusive offering.

Another exciting food concept comes from the team behind Belzan who will refresh their current counter with a brand-new deep fried and charcoal grilled chicken offering, Lucky Foot Chicken. Serving first class birds, it will showcase modern cooking using the best chicken – made from scratch in Manchester.

Manchester’s very own phenomenal online-and-delivery-only burger joint, Burgerism, will be joining Escape to Freight Island. This will be a much-anticipated arrival as burger fans will now be able to dine in for the best burger in town. Their premium smashed burger and fries will be a welcoming addition as it replaces Patty Queen. Menu highlights include the famous ‘Cheesed’ with two smashed patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and Burgerism sauce in a brioche bun.

For those with sweet tooth, local’s favourite Batard will pitch up outside the Plant Room with their brand-new Diner – the bakehouse will be offering sweet American pies and ice cream. An exclusive collaboration will also come from Gooey offering specials Hot Cookie Doughs and Ice Cream which will only be available at Escape to Freight Island. These new desserts offerings will replace Choo Choo and Soft Boi.

Over at the mezzanine level inside the venue, Good Life Skates present the city’s brand-new 8000-square-foot roller-skating rink opening this Spring. Breathing life and community into the disused industrial space, to create an inner-city skate haven. The space will encourage skaters with all levels of experience to ‘lace up and let go’, suitable for all celebrations and ages. With flexible drop-in sessions, tutored classes, merchandise, workshops and multi-disciplinary events and collaborations on the cards, Good Life Skates promises to give the city more than just a memorable night out. The mezzanine will have its own food and drinks offerings for guests to enjoy alongside their skating experience with tailored GOOD LIFE HIRE packages available too. Sign up to www.goodlifeskates.com to be the first to hear more about Good Life Skates. Follow @goodlifeskates on Instagram and email hello@goodlifeskates.com for further enquiries.

With warmer days approaching this Spring, Escape to Freight Island has announced a brand-new non-stop Sunday and all free festival series, Better Days, launching from Sunday 17th April and will run until Sunday 28th August. The all-day session will also cater for family-focused happenings during the daytime with silent disco for kids and other children-friendly activities.

Kicking off the Sunday sessions on 17th April, the big launch party will see disco legends Greg Wilson alongside Graeme Park, Sally Rodgers (A Man Called Adam), Don Letts and Jenna G. The series will then see a collection of renowned DJs, local legends, plus a host of collectives and festivals taking over the outside space – with the likes of Erol Alkan, DJ Paulette, Danielle Moore (Crazy P), Mike Don and more. Sign up now for more information and line-ups: www.escapetobetterdays.com/home // @escapetobetterdays

Sundays are also accompanied by the venue’s signature Sunday Social Club featuring its delicious specials – a 55-day aged Hanger Steak with Béarnaise sauce and a Lobster Roll with mouth-watering butter sauce, both served with fries – with sides options of Mac n Cheese or chopped salad. A new addition to the menu will also include Sunday Roasts from the new concept over at Carnival.

Escape to Freight Island is open five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday featuring highlighted programme each day with a variety of ticketed and free events. Wednesdays will see live performances at the remarkable stage inside. Thursdays will see a takeover from The Comedy Store, followed by The Curious Cabaret – a new immersive spectacle featuring cultivated performers and show-makers. Fridays will present a series of local residencies with Manchester’s favourite selectors. Check out the entertainment section of the website to see what's on.

Through to the weekend, Saturdays are all about having the finest DJs to keep the groove going and for guests to start the party. Followed by Better Days on Sunday for a more wholesome experience with families and friends.

Escape to Freight Island’s opening hours are Wednesday and Thursday (from 4pm to 11pm), Friday (from 4pm to 1am), Saturday (from 12pm to 1am) and Sunday (from 12pm to 10pm).

Sign up to Escape to Freight Island for the latest update and head to the website to check on what’s on and to book tickets: www.escapetofreightisland.com.

Notes to Editors:
Escape to Freight Island Press Office
For more information and images, or to arrange an interview, please contact We Are Indigo:
Kezia Tirayoh | kezia@weareindigopr.com