The beat of New York in the heart of Headingley

The Manahatta brand is coming to Headingley.

Headingley is set to receive a slice of New York glamour this August when a new kid arrives in town.

Decadent bar brand, Manahatta, has invested £500k in transforming the former Arc site into a new venue that is set to breathe new life into the beating heart of Leeds’ student capital.

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Expect innovative cocktail creations, all-day US themed dining, 14 HD sports screens, shuffleboards, and Headingley’s first bottomless brunch offering. Weekends will see the venue dial things up with the arrival of DJ’s, sax players, percussionists and other entertainers against an eclectic backdrop of club cuts, classic pop and current chart bangers.

The bar is the third Manahatta venue to open in Leeds, and experts predict it will repeat the success seen at both the Merrion Street and Greek Street venues. The renovation will include a backlit loft-style cocktail bar upstairs, feature lighting and sumptuous leather booths in the brand's signature peacock blue.

Downstairs is a more informal affair, with sofas, tables and WIFI for causal business meetings, whilst a shuffleboard area will keep gamers entertained. The bottom floor will also be home to a second bar and a stage for live entertainment.

Insta-worthy cocktail creations

The cocktail list has been curated by bar development manager and liquor aficionado, Mark Austin, alongside the award-winning team responsible for the Savoy Hotel’s celebrated American Bar. Featuring a mix of bestsellers from the city, including the Cucumber Cooler, Geisha Girl and Manahatta Spritz, you’ll find a range of Insta-worthy drinks designed especially for Headingley.

A toast worthy of Instagram

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Those looking for something a little darker can just ask; the bar will be stocked with a variety of rums, bourbon whiskies, as well as gin, vodka and other premium pours from around the globe. There will also be a variety of sharing cocktails and Prosecco magnums on-hand for those looking to celebrate.

Taking inspiration from the eclectic New York food scene, a mouth-watering range of menus will delight diners from late morning, through to noon and night. Expect comforting Neapolitan Pizzas, hand-crafted using Manahatta’s special double fermented dough, which creates a lighter, softer crust that’s easier to digest but harder to leave behind on your plate!

Those seeking something lighter will find the range of Healthy Earth bowls packed with delicious yet balanced ingredients hard to resist, whilst the indulgent Superfood Burger is designed for those guilt-free cheat days. Elsewhere on the menu, you’ll find the finger-lickin’ crispy Manahatta Chicken served with house slaw, chipotle BBQ sauce and skin on fries, and the ever-popular Katsu Chicken Curry.

Rich red velvet

Anyone suffering withdrawal symptoms from The Arc’s legendary loaded fries will be pleased to learn this shamelessly calorific dish will be back, albeit with a fresh Manahatta twist; Steak Frites, which proved to be a bestseller throughout the World Cup, are set to become a permanent fixture on the new menu. Dessert porn comes in the shape of Manahatta’s Trio of Brownies, which includes Pistachio, Chocolate Orange and Salted Caramel, as well as the rich Red Velvet Doughnut.

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Bottomless Brunch will be available between 11am-3pm every Saturday and Sunday, with an incredible selection of dishes available alongside free-flowing Prosecco, Bloody Mary’s, selected cocktails, and Coors, making it the premier choice in Headingley for hens and causal get-togethers.

Throughout the week, a brunch menu consisting of hearty NY breakfasts and the new Breakfast Powerbowls will be on offer to get you through the day, and available until 4pm.

14 HD screens across both floors will ensure sports fans won’t miss a second of the football, rugby or cricket, making Manahatta the perfect pre and post-game joint for Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire cricket fans. The tap room will also house two 18-foot maple wood European shuffleboard tables, perfect for tournaments and private party packages.

The Arc’s dedicated team will be back to make sure Manahatta runs like clockwork, and will be adding their team to make a total of 55 front house staff. There is a great deal of sentiment towards the bar itself, as it was the very first Arc Inspirations venue, opening way back in 1999.

Since then, the group has gone on to build a mini-empire consisting of 18 bars in the north of England, under four unique brands; Banyan Bar & Kitchen, Manahatta, The Pit and The Box.