Copyright manchestereveningnews
It’s just after ten to six on a Wednesday evening and the scheduled train between Salford Central to Manchester Piccadilly is running several minutes late. When it does finally make its way over the tracks, there’s that unmistakable rumbling felt beneath and a clickety-clack sound as the wheels pass over. Tonight it’s competing against the thud of dance music playing out from within two historic railway arches. Now known as Tangerine, this labyrinth-esque venue with its own tiny food hall, martini bar and music hall has just opened opposite Salford Central, heralding a new era for the city and its nightlife scene. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE A team of hospitality experts have spent over a year transforming the derelict arches and two sub-platform spaces beneath the railway station tracks and turned it into a 300-capacity party venue. A collaboration between Artyom Dmitrijev, who also owns Mala, and WANT Studios, who have worked on the likes of Diecast, Romano, The Firehouse, and Unagi, it takes threads from what has come before, but with a new spin to make it a one-of-a-kind destination. Artyom Dmitrijev, owner of Tangerine, said: "Over a year in the making, we’ve used all our experience in design, interiors, architecture and hospitality to create our dream project. A place for all the independents to come together and thrive.” Situated on New Bailey Street, its beaming neon orange signage is the first hint that you’ve arrived, before a doorman ushers you inside. Nodding to its previous incarnation, it’s clear old materials, vehicles, platforms and artwork has been repurposed while a bright orange hue cascades around the space - perhaps a nod to Salford City’s original orange and black kit that will come back into play before the 2026-27 season. Beginning the journey through Tangerine, platform one boats a daytime bakery known as Vanda. Mother-and-daughter duo, Vanda and Anastasia are presenting their Ukrainian, family-run Parisian-inspired bakery and making everything from scratch including brioche, focaccia and occasion cakes plus daily specials. It’s all served up alongside Clement coffee shop and roastery, which is situated next to a florist and wine loft and bottle stop - the latter of which, guests can sit around across two levels and features over 500 bottles of wine. Take a right and you’ll be transported back to the late 1970s and early 1980s with lots of analogue touches, frosted glass and sofas that might remind you of your nan’s house. Here, guests can sit back and relax, peruse a wide variety of bottles and scan a QR code for the kitchens beyond. Known as the Canteen Kitchens, Tangerine have decided to create a new platform for Manchester independent eateries - established and just starting out. Five kitchens currently occupy the space including Vanda, as well as Gold Boy Burger Bar, where only one perfectly-formed style of burger will be dished up featuring juicy, dry-aged chuck and rib cap beef patties, alongside proper dripping fries, and Gold Boy sauces. There’s also Yaki-fry Bar slinging out Japanese BBQ yakitori and fluffy Dutch fries, alongside Salvo’s Italiano cooking up Neapolitan pizzas and pasta. Completing the lineup for now is Joji Wing and Ramen Bar with their own-recipe crispy golden wings and hot, steaming ramen. The final kitchens, including a new Mexican taqueria will be unveiled soon, and all vendors are being supported by Manchester’s Want Studios, headed up by Want Exec Chef Will Taplin formerly of Ramona, Firehouse, and Diecast. Preserving the industrial character of the railway arches, the venue's Grand Departures bar which sits at the centre of the space boasts a taproom with 40 taps and a striking martini bar built directly into the original brickwork. Here, punters can choose from a range of international beers on tap including Delirium Tremens, Lervig House Party and Paulaner Dunkel. Local breweries are also well represented with beers from the likes of Northern Monk, Cloudwater, and Sureshot. There’s a variety of vodka martinis on the boards too, plus frozen cocktails and five varieties of espresso martini including Bounty, butterscotch and pistachio. Classics are taken care of too with Negroni, Old Fashioned, Pornstar and Spicy Margarita all represented alongside Pisco Sour and their own nod to the location, Trackside, made with gin, lime, citrus, and mint oleo. Leading on from the main bar, the huge music hall and platform two area is something akin to a mash-up between Albert Schloss, Firehouse and Diecast. Providing a brand-new setting for live music in Manchester, it will give a platform to new and established artists while the Arthouse more generally will host screenings and events. Andy Windsor, director of Want Studios, added: "Tangerine unites the city’s independent kitchens, bar tenders, bakeries and entertainment specialists. “It’s the brainchild of Artyom Dmitrijev, who is an architect and he’s been doing hospitality for a number of years, and we’ve come together to do this incredible project. “It’s more than a foodhall, it’s also an arthouse, and the kind of concept we want people to feel like is it 1985 or 2085, it’s from an era but also from the future.” Tangerine opens to the public on Friday, 31 October with a huge, four-day Halloween weekender, inviting the city to explore its maze of spaces. The opening will feature live music, DJ sets, pop-up performances, and exclusive food and drink offerings from the Cantina Collective. Entry is free via advance sign-up, and tickets are expected to go quickly. Tangerine is located at New Bailey Street, Manchester/Salford border, beneath Salford Central Station.
