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Champagne House Rebrands as Hit City: Manchester's New Nightlife Beacon

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/18 .. -hit-city-manchester-s-new-nightlife-beacon.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 12:47 GMT by Manchester Evening News

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Champagne House transformed hit city

Manchester’s culinary and nightlife scene has just gained a new star with the dramatic makeover of the city‑famed Champagne House. What was once a modest, mid‑town watering hole is now re‑imagined as “Hit City”, a slick, champagne‑centric concept that promises to become the next big buzz‑spot for locals and visitors alike. Below is a detailed roundup of the story as reported by the Manchester Evening News, together with key insights from linked articles that round out the picture of Manchester’s evolving hospitality landscape.

The original Champagne House: a brief history

Champagne House opened its doors in 1995 on Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, earning a reputation for its wide selection of sparkling wines and a relaxed, “bar‑café” vibe. The venue was always a favorite among students, creatives, and late‑night workers, largely because of its affordable champagne shots and the iconic 1990s‑era décor that featured exposed brickwork and vintage posters. By the early 2020s, however, the club began to feel dated and the owners faced mounting pressure to modernise.

The birth of Hit City

In a joint press release issued in early January, the new proprietors – a partnership between local entrepreneur Alex Mercer and UK‑based bar‑consultancy Hit City Ltd. – announced the grand rebranding. The new concept will focus heavily on premium champagne, craft cocktails, and a curated music programme. According to Mercer, “Hit City isn’t just a bar; it’s an experience. We want people to feel like they’ve stepped into the next level of Manchester nightlife.”

The transformation will see the original floor plan completely re‑imagined. A new glass‑fronted entrance will lead into a contemporary, open‑plan bar area featuring modular seating, a sleek copper‑finishing bar top, and a live‑streamed crystal chandelier. The restaurant wing, once home to a simple grill, is being revamped as a tapas‑style kitchen that will pair dishes with specific champagne cuvées. Mercer’s vision, as outlined in a March interview with The Guardian, is to “blend the classic with the avant‑garde, so that patrons can taste, see, and feel the champagne culture in a modern way.”

Renovation and design details

According to an architectural walk‑through released by the design firm Harrison & Sons (linked in the article), the renovation cost approximately £2.3 million. Key design elements include:

• Lighting: Dynamic LED panels that shift colour to match the music tempo, creating a “living” atmosphere.
• Materials: A blend of reclaimed wood and polished steel that pays homage to the building’s industrial past while keeping a high‑end feel.
• Bar layout: A curved, central bar with a panoramic view of the street, allowing guests to see the live DJ or the performance stage.
• Seating: A mixture of intimate booths for small parties and a communal counter that encourages social interaction.

In addition to the interior changes, the venue now features a dedicated “Champagne Lounge” that operates from 10 pm to 2 am, offering a 24‑hour selection of house‑made bubbly cocktails.

The menu and the drink menu

The revamped menu is a key selling point. The Michelin‑guide‑qualified chef, Daniel Smit, who previously worked at The French House in London, has been brought in to spearhead the kitchen. His signature dishes include:

• Champagne‑soaked pork belly with a rosemary reduction
• Oyster tower served in a custom champagne glass
• Edam cheese platter with artisanal crackers and a selection of vintage champagnes

Drinks-wise, the bar will feature over 80 champagne labels, including local British champagnes from The Brindley Champagne House and international favorites from Moët & Chandon and Perrier‑Jouët. A special signature cocktail, “The City‑Sky”, is set to become an instant crowd‑pleaser, combining champagne, elderflower liqueur, and a splash of citrus foam.

The launch and early reception

Hit City officially opened its doors on 15 February, coinciding with the Manchester Pride weekend. A soft‑launch event was hosted the night before, featuring a live DJ set from local favourite DJ Nisha K. The launch was covered by The Times, which described it as “Manchester’s newest, brightest night‑life beacon.”

Early feedback from patrons has been overwhelmingly positive. A short‑form video posted by Instagram influencer @FoodieMick shows guests reacting to the new “Champagne Lounge” and the vibrant atmosphere, with comments such as, “Absolutely love the new vibe – it’s modern, yet still retains that old‑school Manchester charm.” The venue’s own social media pages have seen a surge of engagement, with more than 10,000 likes in the first week.

Linked stories and contextual pieces

The Manchester Evening News article does more than just announce Hit City. It provides links to several related stories that help place the new venue within Manchester’s broader food‑and‑drink scene:

1. “Manchester’s Northern Quarter: A Hotspot for Young Entrepreneurs” – This piece outlines how the area has become a magnet for start‑ups and creative businesses, offering a backdrop to the new venture’s ambitions.
2. “The Rise of Champagne Culture in Britain” – A feature that traces how British consumers have moved from wine to sparkling drinks in the last decade, giving context to Hit City’s focus on champagnes.
3. “Design Trends in Nightlife Venues 2024” – An industry report that highlights the importance of immersive lighting, flexible seating, and curated playlists, all of which are evident in Hit City’s design strategy.

These links provide readers with a deeper understanding of why Hit City’s concept is both timely and forward‑thinking.

Looking ahead

With a strong launch, a high‑quality menu, and a prime location, Hit City is poised to become a new benchmark for Manchester nightlife. The venue plans to host weekly themed nights, from “Bubbly Brunches” to “Champagne & Jazz Evenings”, as well as corporate tasting events. The owners are also considering a future expansion, potentially opening a second location in Manchester’s bustling Spinningfields district.

In sum, the Manchester Evening News’ coverage of the Champagne House transformation delivers a comprehensive snapshot: the history of a beloved bar, the vision and meticulous design of its rebirth as Hit City, and an overview of the culinary and cocktail experience that is now in the city’s spotlight. For anyone interested in the evolving tastes of Manchester’s residents and visitors, Hit City is a must‑visit destination that exemplifies modern hospitality in a city that never stops reinventing itself.