12 reasons to head to Manchester's thriving new pop-up destination this May

Manchester’s trendy new pop-up food, drink and shopping haven on Oxford Road, Hatch, is hosting a programme of exciting events and tantalising new traders this May.

From an evening of live art battles to a pop-up music performance, an open-air dance event and a family fun day, there is something for everyone. Here are 12 reasons why you should head down.

Smile for the Birdie (Thursday 3 May, 11am - 3.30pm)
Come and say hi to Scandi-cool clothing brand Monki for a pop-up event in the courtyard to celebrate them opening a store in Manchester Arndale on Friday 4 May.

Get inspired at Manchester Art Jam (Friday 4 May, 7pm - 10.30pm)
Manchester-based Mural artist Paint Sayers is hosting an incredible live art battle. Top local artists will unleash their creativity in the courtyard and take part in a head to head challenge to wow audiences. They’ll have just 40 minutes to paint, draw and create amazing live artwork before voting commences. Surrounded by awesome street food, drinks, art stalls and music, this free event is guaranteed to inspire the imagination.

Keep on Dancing with Red Bull (Saturday 5 May, 2pm - 6pm)
To celebrate the homecoming premiere of Manchester Keeps On Dancing, a free warm-up party will be hosted in the courtyard. Supported by Red Bull, a host of local DJ’s will take to the stage of the Red Bull DJ Truck from 2 - 6pm. Guests are invited to come and enjoy free drinks, and wristbands will be given out for the free after party at Gorilla of the film’s premiere happening at HOME cinema on Saturday 26 May.

Funday Sunday (Sunday 6 May, 12- 6pm)
Bank Holiday Sunday will see the focus set on family fun at Hatch. The courtyard will play host to extra guest ‘hatchlings’ including a face painter and Thai ice cream roll cart.

Don’t miss a pop-up performance by Mica Millar (Wednesday 16 May, from 7.30pm)
Manchester singer songwriter Mica Millar will perform a free, intimate one-off gig in the courtyard, weather permitting. The highly acclaimed vocalist will captivate the crowd with her new single ‘The Defender’ along with other spine-tingling tracks. Dubbed an ‘artist to watch out for’ it will be a one-off, powerful performance not to be missed.

Try seafood snacks with a twist (from Monday 23 April)
The bustling courtyard is welcoming three new legendary Manchester street foodsters to its home under the Mancunian Way. First up is the ever-changing unique seafood snacks from the team at Holy Crab. The freshest oysters, signature crab balls, beer battered smoked haddock fish butties and proper square cut chips with salt n sauce (inspired by Edinburgh’s finest chippy sauce) and an abundance of other tasty treats await. They’ll even be injecting a sense of fun and theatre to their stall by shucking oysters in front of customers.

Get your hands on Manchester’s ultimate kebab (from Wednesday 2 May)
Yadda Yadda will be dishing up their bespoke handcrafted kebabs. Their flavourful freshly made Persian flatbreads will include fillings such as 12 hour slow-cooked Mount Grace farm North Yorkshire lamb shoulder shawarma and chickpea daal with coconut milk, smoked almonds, apricots and dates. As well as many more tantalising delights.

It’s Kombucha Day (Tuesday 22 May)
Get healthy with the fizzy fermented tea that has an array of eye-catching health claims attached to it. Booch & Brine, the only northern company to produce their own kombucha, will be in the courtyard giving away free samples of the brew that’s fast becoming the latest health craze.

Copenhagen Brew and Beer Festival (Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 May)
Nordic inspired, artisan coffee house Takk and nano brewery Öl are hosting a Copenhagen takeover weekend featuring guest beers from some of the best breweries in the world including Warpigs, Mikeller, ToÖl and coffees from the world renowned Coffee Collective. The event will include tastings and talks.

Style it up with Dead Legacy (four week residence from Tuesday 17 April)
Manchester-made menswear line Dead Legacy has opened its first physical presence in the city at Hatch. Pop by to see the urban clothing brand’s new summer collection inspired by sports and modern life. Expect wacky, bold summer prints, leisure wear and statement pieces.

Fire up your tastebuds (from Thursday 3 May)
Specialist chicken stall Firebird Hope, a favourite on Manchester’s supper club scene, will also be joining the line-up. They will be serving up two remarkable sandwiches; the free-range fried chicken ‘Level-Up’ and the vegan fried ’Triple 6’, both served on sourdough buns with unique condiments and a top secret seasoning. It’s all about the
#vibes.

Well Hung
For the discerning carnivores, the Well Hung kitchen will remain in the courtyard offering an ever-expanding menu of affordable and quality lunches and dinner options, including classic steak and dripping chips with a chimichurri sauce, or eat-on-the-go tasty steak sandwiches.

Keep an eye out this Summer as Hatch continues to expand!

For more information on our exciting and constantly evolving street food stalls, retailers and events visit www.hatchmcr.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram - @HatchMCR and Twitter - @ Hatch_MCR