The new bars from the Leeds-based operator are set to appeal to students, after-work drinkers, and late-night party seekers.
Escapism Bars managing director Grant Dexter said: “With our northern roots, Manchester’s Northern Quarter is the perfect fit for the Mean Eyed Cat brand.
“We think the concept will be well received by the eclectic mix of people in Manchester – from students to after work drinkers.”
He also said it was great to be surrounded by fellow hospitality businesses, as this creates a community of people who can collaborate and look out for each other.
The Mean-Eyed Cat is a deep south-themed dive bar that offers free pizzas with drink purchases as well as party games and cocktails.
Vibrant nightlife
Dexter continued: “Manchester is an incredible, vibrant city, and its student population alone is one of the largest in Europe. It’s well known for its eclectic mix of nightlife and we think our venues will fit in well, in an up and coming area of the city in the NQ, near to neighbouring Ancoats.”
He added that while the Mean Eyed Cat is at its essence a late-night party venue, it loved to cater to the early crowd too through giving friend groups a great value food option if they wanted it.
He believed the free pizza scheme was a great way of attracting this group of earlier drinkers, and the team was proud of offering great quality pizzas.
The free pizzas are available with every drink, every day from 5pm - 9pm – and the toppings add to the deep south vibe, with Cheeseburger, Chipotle Fajita and Buffalo Cauliflower on the menu.
Drinks offering
Cocktails on offer will include several Johnny Cash-themed drinks including I Walk The Lime, a key lime pie inspired classic, and Ting of Fire, a fruity, vodka cocktail with watermelon liquor and grapefruit juice.
Its sister bar Tiki Hideaway will open downstairs. The Hawaiian-themed run shack will serve Caribbean-inspired cocktails, including a Flaming Zombie serve.
Drinkers can expect high energy vibes, a banging soundtrack, and free drinks. The dive bar is home to the ‘roll the dice’ game – in which guests bag a round of drinks for free if they roll a six.
There will also be a calendar of deep south events planned.
The new bars will employ 20 people and will open seven days a week until late.
