Zadie’s, the new Itameshi Japanese Italian fusion restaurant and bar at Manchester’s Medlock Square entertainment district, is making its mark with one of the city’s most ambitious drinks programmes.
Part of the £300 million Medlock Square development at the Etihad Campus, and led by Head of Bars Cressida Lawlor, the venue boasts Manchester’s first dedicated Asian whisky collection, featuring more than 60 expressions from renowned producers including Chichibu, Hibiki and Kavalan.
From elegant Japanese blends to richly flavoured Taiwanese single malts, the collection has been curated to encourage both newcomers and seasoned collectors to broaden their horizons.
The venue boasts Manchester’s first dedicated Asian whisky collection, featuring more than 60 expressions…
From Pandan to Purple Old Fashioneds
Cocktails are equally central to the Zadie’s experience. Lawlor’s signature cocktail menu features nine original creations that draw on premium spirits, specialist ingredients and modern techniques.
Among the standouts is the Champagne Problem, a sparkling combination of Umeshu sake, yuzu, jasmine and Champagne that delivers layers of citrus and floral character. The Purple Old Fashioned offers a playful take on the classic, combining Maker’s Mark bourbon with taro butter, ube and vanilla, while the Pandan Grasshopper blends Bacardi Carta Blanca rum with coconut milk, pandan leaf, pandan liqueur and mint for a rich, fragrant serve.
For guests who prefer something tailored to their own tastes, the bar team is prepared to go considerably further. Alongside the signature list, Zadie’s says it can create more than 200 cocktails, ranging from perfectly executed classics to bespoke drinks designed around individual preferences.
Helping bring that programme to life is an award-winning team that includes Steven Vaughn, whose experience spans Ego Death, Soho House and Ivy Asia, and who has earned a place in the World Class UK Top 100.
Lawlor says the aim was to create a venue where discovery is part of the experience.
“With Zadie’s, our ambition was to create a bar that feels truly exceptional, somewhere guests can discover extraordinary spirits, experience a new level of cocktail craftsmanship and enjoy the very best of hospitality,” she said.
“Our Asian whisky collection is something we’re particularly proud of. With more than 60 expressions, including some exceptionally rare bottles, we’ve created an opportunity for people to explore a category that deserves greater recognition. Manchester has an incredible hospitality scene, and we wanted to introduce something that feels genuinely distinctive and world leading.”
The drinks are complemented by live music, DJ performances and theatrical entertainment throughout the evening, alongside Zadie’s Itameshi menu from Head Chef Paolo Bianchi, whose career has included roles at Zuma, Alain Ducasse and Lucky Cat.
Zadie’s is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5pm until 1am as part of Manchester’s Medlock Square entertainment district. Make reservations here.
Kingsbarns Distillery is launching a new annual whisky series inspired by the history, landscape and agricultural heritage of its home in Fife. The first release is a 10 Year Old single malt matured in STR casks. Dubbed The Cambo Collection, the series will explore a different aspect of the Kingsbarns estate with each annual bottling.…
Bunnahabhain has released the latest edition of its annual 12 Year Old Cask Strength whisky, bottled at 55.8% ABV. The 2026 expression brings together 12-year-old whisky matured in an equal split of first-fill Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. Bottled at natural cask strength, it promises a rich, full-bodied interpretation of the Islay distillery’s unpeated single…
Bardinet is bringing a little French bistro style to the drinks cabinet with a limited-edition seasonal bottle of its VSOP brandy, accompanied by four festive cocktail recipes. The new design features an illustrated label inspired by the character of a traditional French bistro. It marks the third consecutive year Bardinet has produced a seasonal limited…
Zadie’s, the new Itameshi Japanese Italian fusion restaurant and bar at Manchester’s Medlock Square entertainment district, is making its mark with one of the city’s most ambitious drinks programmes.
Part of the £300 million Medlock Square development at the Etihad Campus, and led by Head of Bars Cressida Lawlor, the venue boasts Manchester’s first dedicated Asian whisky collection, featuring more than 60 expressions from renowned producers including Chichibu, Hibiki and Kavalan.
From elegant Japanese blends to richly flavoured Taiwanese single malts, the collection has been curated to encourage both newcomers and seasoned collectors to broaden their horizons.
From Pandan to Purple Old Fashioneds
Cocktails are equally central to the Zadie’s experience. Lawlor’s signature cocktail menu features nine original creations that draw on premium spirits, specialist ingredients and modern techniques.
Among the standouts is the Champagne Problem, a sparkling combination of Umeshu sake, yuzu, jasmine and Champagne that delivers layers of citrus and floral character. The Purple Old Fashioned offers a playful take on the classic, combining Maker’s Mark bourbon with taro butter, ube and vanilla, while the Pandan Grasshopper blends Bacardi Carta Blanca rum with coconut milk, pandan leaf, pandan liqueur and mint for a rich, fragrant serve.
For guests who prefer something tailored to their own tastes, the bar team is prepared to go considerably further. Alongside the signature list, Zadie’s says it can create more than 200 cocktails, ranging from perfectly executed classics to bespoke drinks designed around individual preferences.
Helping bring that programme to life is an award-winning team that includes Steven Vaughn, whose experience spans Ego Death, Soho House and Ivy Asia, and who has earned a place in the World Class UK Top 100.
Lawlor says the aim was to create a venue where discovery is part of the experience.
“With Zadie’s, our ambition was to create a bar that feels truly exceptional, somewhere guests can discover extraordinary spirits, experience a new level of cocktail craftsmanship and enjoy the very best of hospitality,” she said.
“Our Asian whisky collection is something we’re particularly proud of. With more than 60 expressions, including some exceptionally rare bottles, we’ve created an opportunity for people to explore a category that deserves greater recognition. Manchester has an incredible hospitality scene, and we wanted to introduce something that feels genuinely distinctive and world leading.”
The drinks are complemented by live music, DJ performances and theatrical entertainment throughout the evening, alongside Zadie’s Itameshi menu from Head Chef Paolo Bianchi, whose career has included roles at Zuma, Alain Ducasse and Lucky Cat.
Zadie’s is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5pm until 1am as part of Manchester’s Medlock Square entertainment district. Make reservations here.
Kingsbarns bottles autumn with debut Cambo Collection 10 Year Old single malt
Kingsbarns Distillery is launching a new annual whisky series inspired by the history, landscape and agricultural heritage of its home in Fife. The first release is a 10 Year Old single malt matured in STR casks. Dubbed The Cambo Collection, the series will explore a different aspect of the Kingsbarns estate with each annual bottling.…
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old Cask Strength 2026 edition is a rich, sherried Islay whisky
Bunnahabhain has released the latest edition of its annual 12 Year Old Cask Strength whisky, bottled at 55.8% ABV. The 2026 expression brings together 12-year-old whisky matured in an equal split of first-fill Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. Bottled at natural cask strength, it promises a rich, full-bodied interpretation of the Islay distillery’s unpeated single…
Bardinet gives best-selling VSOP brandy a seasonal makeover, suggests four festive cocktail recipes
Bardinet is bringing a little French bistro style to the drinks cabinet with a limited-edition seasonal bottle of its VSOP brandy, accompanied by four festive cocktail recipes. The new design features an illustrated label inspired by the character of a traditional French bistro. It marks the third consecutive year Bardinet has produced a seasonal limited…
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