Positioned as the home of eclectic independent food, innovative drinks, and boundary-pushing entertainment, a new 6,000 SQ FT restaurant is set to open in Manchester this November, with three award-winning kitchens set to join the space.
Exhibition has been brought back to life by the team at family owned, Grade A Alternative. More than 60 jobs are being created as a result of the venue, as well as widening opportunities for smaller independent businesses with takeovers of its deluxe kitchen spaces.
Levelling up from the traditional food hall concept, Exhibition promises an exquisite dining experience with global inspiration and local heart, with space for 200 covers by day and a capacity of 400 by night. All alongside incredible entertainment, two bars and dedicated exhibition spaces for local artists.
Prestwich favourite and Michelin Guide named Osma will bring a new relaxed edge to it’s famous Scandinavian concept, Caroline Martins of the Sao Paulo Project with a brand new version of her Brazilian-British fusion cuisine, plus Ramsbottom’s Basque fire cookery restaurant, Baratxuri, will join the line-up at the new venue in Manchester city centre.
Nestled within the Grade II listed building of St George’s House on Museum Street, which was previously the site of the Museum of Natural History back in 1909, the interiors have been stripped back to reveal the original industrial shell.
Sam Wheatley, hospitality veteran, has been brought in as Operations Manager and is responsible for bringing the ambitious new venue to life.
Sam Wheatley commented: “We’ve been working on this project for the past 18 months. Previously opening Haunt has afforded us the opportunity to understand where the market is post-covid, and as you’d expect, the concept has transformed monumentally over time. Personally, as I’m not from Manchester, I’ve been able to gain valuable insights into the city and its preferences.
“This has also meant I’ve been able to meet some great operators, suppliers and perhaps most importantly, some of the best hospitality staff Manchester has to offer. This is a hugely exciting and ambitious project. Innovation is evident throughout; we can’t wait to show the space off.”
The award winning Gethin Jones, a stalwart in the Manchester hospitality scene, has also been brought in as General Manager and will spearhead the curation of the drinks menu for both bars.
The innovative new drinks program, led by Gethin, has been designed to elevate the experience, and where seasonality will dictate changes to the food, music and art, this will be echoed at the venue’s cocktail bar which will promote a new spirit each season. The first iteration for Autumn will focus on brandy, a spirit category defined as being distilled from fermented fruit, with beautiful drinks created with everything from Cognac and Calvados, to Pisco and Eaux De Vie.
The main bar will be the first in the city to offer Manchester Union straight from the in-venue tanks, alongside a dedicated rotational line for Manchester breweries such as Sureshot, Cloudwater and Pomona.
After dark, Exhibition will transform into a late-night bar with DJs, live singers and instrumentalists taking centre stage. Expect an eclectic mix of genres and a curated roster of both local and international DJs, every Wednesday-Sunday.
Exhibition is set to open this Autumn and will also play host to nightly DJs and entertainers, showcasing the very best of Manchester’s renowned creative scene. Seven dedicated areas will also see a new local artist exhibiting their work every season.
