Canvas, a ‘next-generation’ entertainment venue and late-night dining spot, has given us a look behind the scenes ahead of its official opening this Friday. The Oxford Road venue will bring together live music, community focused events, wellbeing and food and drink, and is being billed as a ‘first-of-its-kind venue for the city.
The latest addition to the ongoing Circle Square neighbourhood comes from the team behind two of London’s most established music venues, Oval Space and Pickle Factory. Inside, it features a 600-capacity subterranean club space, which will play host to live gigs and panel talks, alongside a viewing platform for members, and a late-night bar open until 4am every day.
A quick dash back upstairs, and a stylish restaurant and bar awaits, which has been brought to life by the people behind Peru Perdu, a South American restaurant housed within Whitworth Locke hotel. Here, a globally inspired menu of small plates - that are actually pretty sizable - take centre stage, alongside an extensive array of carefully curated drinks, from aperitifs and sundowners to highballs.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News ahead of the grand opening on Friday, Jennifer Hughes, restaurant partner and marketing director said: “We want to welcome a diverse community to share in the music, the nightlife, and the amazing food and drink. We want our members to be able to come together and connect in a space where like minded creatives, individuals, and emerging talent can share ideas and help push each other forward to get to that next level.
As far as the menus at Canvas Bar and Kitchen go, punters will be spoilt for choice with around 16 small plates to choose from. They include crispy Korean fried chicken with barbecue peanuts and slaw, indulgently creamy burrata with mint crema, rocket and garlic toast; and fish & chips with gunpowder chips, peas and tartar.
Vegetables are represented well across the menu, but there’s also a dedicated section, which spans sweetcorn fritters, chilli squash and disco fries, the latter topped with truffle, Bella Lodi, saffron aioli and jalapenos.
There's also a range of sandwiches served with house slaw and fries, ranging from steak and lamb burger to buffalo chicken to tuna and beetburger. Sides, meanwhile, cover all the bases with handcut chips, house salad, steamed greens and onion rings, rounding off the menu rather nicely.
In what is a relatively new offering for Manchester, Canvas will also feature a members’ club, with memberships affordably priced at £15 per month for under 30s. Perks will include free gigs and guest passes, access to the underground late-night bar and invitation-only parties.
“We really want the space to be used as a creative hub, where we can invite creatives, designers and artists to use the space, put on exhibitions, shows and whatever else they see fit - it’s essentially a blank canvas ready to be used by everyone and anyone.”
“With the members element, we’re offering a safe space for people to come in, have drinks and chat over ideas. And the food element is really important to this, it will bring a sense of community and togetherness to the space.”
As well as hosting live gigs and club nights from new and emerging artists, the events room will host regular wellness and dance classes. These activities will complement their music programme, which will run throughout the building, from full-capacity gigs to DJ sets in the members’ lounge, and talent showcases in the bar and restaurant.
Friday’s launch party will kick off with a bang, with members invited down to the Canvas Main Room as they host the Northern Fashion Week afterparty. The event will be headlined by Sainte, who will perform a unique combination of hip hop, jazz and RnB. A slight change of pace on Sunday, as Canvas hosts its first wellbeing day with resident holistic health guide Fran and sound healing practitioner Sabira.
While Canvas doesn’t open officially until Friday, and the restaurant and bar doesn’t open until Thursday, visitors can make the most of the soft launch by heading down on Wednesday, July 6 for 50 percent off food for lunch and dinner, and from Monday 11 to Sunday 17 for breakfast. More information on the soft-opening can be found here .
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