A huge new entertainment district for Manchester has been officially unveiled next to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium – with the £300million Medlock Square packed with restaurants, bars, a hotel and new attractions opening now and over the coming weeks. Bosses believe the openings will make Medlock Square a “destination in its own right” with Co-op Live and the Man City ground as its next door neighbours.
As well as the huge new hotel, The Medlock by Radisson Blu, which opened at the start of the month, there are now the first restaurant and bar openings, with more to follow next week and in the run up to Christmas. There will also be a spectacular new sky-walk attraction above the Etihad Stadium, which visitors will already see taking shape with its jaw-dropping highwires.
Bosses say the £300m development marks a “significant new chapter in East Manchester’s continued investment and transformation overseen by City Football Group since 2008”. Developed as a 365-day destination, Medlock Square forms part of the wider evolution of the Etihad Campus into one of the city’s leading hubs for visitors and residents alike.
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The scale of the development will have a significant impact beyond Medlock Square itself. It is expected to generate £35.8 million in off-site visitor expenditure in Manchester each year, contributing directly to the city economy, while supporting 12,300 jobs across Greater Manchester.
The destination opens at what is exciting times for the Etihad Campus, not just with the packed schedule of Premier League football. Major events in the year ahead include the sold-out NBA match in January and BRIT awards in February at Co-op Live, as well as a packed summer concert season at the Etihad Stadium with Oasis confirmed to play an 11-night residency in June 2027.
It will be followed in 2028 with the Etihad Stadium hosting five UEFA EURO 2028 matches—including England’s opening match of the tournament.
Speaking at the launch of the development on Wednesday, Danny Wilson, Managing Director Operations, Matchday and Medlock Square said: “Medlock Square is an incredibly exciting next chapter in the continued transformation of the Etihad Campus and East Manchester.
“Our ambition has always been to create a destination that goes beyond individual events, bringing together hospitality, entertainment, culture, food, retail, and leisure to give people reasons to visit throughout the year.
“The scale of investment reflects our continued commitment to investing in both the city of Manchester and its people, ensuring that our local community benefits through jobs, training, and local supplier opportunities.”
Laura Montana, Director of Restaurants at Medlock Restaurants: “Food and drink is a central component of the Medlock Square experience. We’ve created a collection of distinct concepts that together form a comprehensive offer for Manchester.
“From casual coffee to destination dining and the market hall, there is something for every occasion, time of day, and audience.” Here, we take a look at exactly what’s open now, opening soon and in the pipeline for next year at the Medlock Square district.
Open now
The Medlock hotel
The first chapter of Medlock Square began with the opening of The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel in early September. With 401 bedrooms, the hotel is one of the largest new hospitality arrivals in Manchester.
The hotel’s design is inspired by Manchester’s industrial heritage, from the historic gasworks, waterways, and green spaces that once defined the area. Bespoke artwork by Manchester artists line the walls, and every room has its own individual “window into the city” with portraits of offbeat places by Manchester photographers.On the top floor is its two-storey Penthouse Suite, designed for high-profile stays, private dinners, and VIP celebrations. It features a private rooftop garden overlooking Co-op Live and its own private lift and entrance for the ultimate in discretion.
Three Rivers
Set within The Medlock hotel, the Three Rivers restaurant is hailed a sophisticated all-day dining experience focused on British produce and warm, polished service. Brasserie classics—such as prawn cocktail with shredded iceberg and confit tomato, alongside an impeccably sourced Hereford steak selection—sit alongside local specialities like Lancashire hotpot and Manchester tart (reimagined as a silken panna cotta).With the beverage programme overseen by Medlock Square’s Head of Bars, award-winning cocktail creative Cressida Lawlor, and a kitchen under the direction of Development Chef and MasterChef winner Dan Merriman, Three Rivers Brasserie brings together exceptional local talent.
It also boasts an outdoor terrace with views out across Medlock Square.
Little Beast
Next to The Medlock, Little Beast brings another distinctive culinary experience to Medlock Square.
Led by 2024 MasterChef The Professionals winner Dan Merriman, Little Beast is a tribute to Britain’s agricultural heritage. Rooted in the phases of the moon, its menu will evolves with the seasons, celebrating British produce and the changing landscape of the country’s farms and fields.
Zadie’s
Zadie’s will take centre stage as the flagship restaurant and bar at Medlock Square, sitting high above the destination with panoramic views stretching towards the South Pennines on one side, and to the pitch of the Etihad Stadium to another through its vast windows.
The restaurant combines luxurious banquette seating with a central bar, while its menu takes inspiration from the Japanese tradition of Itameshi, bringing together umami-rich Japanese ingredients and flavours with Italian techniques and presentation. Led by Chef Paolo Bianchi, whose career includes Zuma, Alain Ducasse, Lucky Cat and Les Grandes Alpes Courchevel 1850, the menu balances “luxury with discovery”, alongside a drinks list developed by award-winning Head of Bars Cressida Lawlor.
Nightly entertainment will add to the atmosphere, establishing Zadie’s as a new dining and social destination within Medlock Square. It opens from tomorrow, Thursday September 24.
Blend
A café by day and wine bar by night, Blend anchors Medlock Square into the local community. Hosting everyone from early-morning runners arriving from the city centre via the canalside path to pre-gig wine lovers, Blend serves speciality coffee from GRIND and artisanal pastries (from Flat Baker and Buzzy Bee so its mouth-watering stuff) by day, transitioning into an intimate evening bar serving curated wines and craft beers.
With its own dedicated entrance and internal access from The Medlock, Blend welcomes both hotel guests and the wider Manchester community.
Opening soon
Brickworks Food Hall
Aiming to be “Medlock Square’s Mackie Mayor”, Brickworks will be the new food hall at the district, bringing together five independent food brands from across Manchester under one roof.
Five kitchens will serve up their own well-loved dishes, alongside two bars pouring local craft beers, Midori Sour Slushies and classic cocktails.
Three names are so far confirmed – Nell’s Pizza, The Good Burger, and Joji ramen and poke bowls. As for the final two? We’re told: “think amazing desserts and a great pie brand”.
With 248 covers, bosses say “Brickworks will bring the energy of Manchester’s independent food scene to Medlock Square”.
Opening: October 4
Roofwalk adventure
One of the most spectacular features of the new development is the new Roofwalk Adventure that football fans will have seen taking shape above the Etihad Stadium in recent months.
For those looking for an adrenaline rush, the rooftop adventure will offers three high-octane challenges: first is the Skywalk, taking visitors 100ft above the ground across the stadium’s sky bridge.
Then there’s the Zip, sending thrill-seekers flying across the pitch at speeds of up to 50mph; and finally the Drop, a controlled 100ft abseil down the face of the stadium. Together, the experiences will offer 360-degree views across Manchester and a dizzying new perspective on the city.
Opening: before Christmas
Manchester City Museum
Adding culture and immersive entertainment to the destination, the new Manchester City Museum Experience will span more than 1,700 square metres across ten spaces.
Developed in conjunction with RAA, the world’s leading developer of museum and narrative environments, the museum will bring Manchester City’s story to life through immersive technology, interactive experiences, and authentic memorabilia.
Opening: TBC
New Puma City Store
Alongside the museum, Manchester City will open a new three-storey flagship City Store, developed in partnership with PUMA. The store will offer an expanded merchandise range, exclusive stadium products, and an enhanced personalisation experience.
It will be in the units opposite the Brickworks Food Hall at Medlock Square.
Opening: TBC
Opening next year
Mamma Mia! The Party
ABBA fans are going to absolutely love this one – as the immersive event Mamma Mia! The Party is heading to Manchester with its own purpose-built Greek Taverna as part of the next phases of developments at Medlock Square.
It won planning permission in June, and works have now begun on the patch of ground next to The Medlock Hotel and the Etihad Campus tram stop.
When it opens up in late 2027, it will boast up to seven performances a week welcoming up to 600 guests per performance with live music, theatre, and dining in a spectacular event that has won an army of fans in London over the past seven years.
Opening: late 2027
