A distinctive new dining destination has been capturing public interest in Manchester city centre. Louis Manchester, the Italian-American restaurant and live music venue in Spinningfields, has become one of the most talked-about hospitality openings since its launch in September 2024.
Located at 3 Hardman Square, the venue combines upscale Italian-American cuisine with nightly live musical performances, offering Manchester diners an experience modelled on the classic New York restaurants of the 1950s golden age. The establishment operates a strictly reservation-only policy and enforces a notable ‘no photographs’ rule, encouraging guests to be present in the moment rather than documenting their experience on social media.
What Is Louis Manchester?
Louis is a restaurant and music venue operated by Permanently Unique Group, the Manchester-based hospitality company behind established city centre brands Tattu and Fenix. The venue opened on Friday, 13 September 2024, occupying the site formerly home to Carluccio’s on Hardman Square.
The restaurant describes itself as “a love letter to the Italian-American restaurants of New York” and features tiered seating arranged around a central stage where live performers including jazz quartets, soul singers, pianists and swing bands play five nights a week. The venue is open Monday to Sunday, with varying hours throughout the week.
The menu, created by Executive Chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis, who previously launched Fenix, and Italian Chef Matteo D’Elia, features Italian-American classics including handmade fresh pasta prepared in an on-site pasta workshop, alongside dishes such as Iberico meatballs, eggplant parmigiana, and veal chops with crispy potatoes. Head of Beverage Will Meredith has developed a 12-strong cocktail programme focused on American classics including Manhattans, Bloody Marias, and PB&J Old Fashioneds.
The venue’s interior, designed by Fabled Studios, features deep velvet seating, classic Italian marble, warm lighting and gold tones, and houses over £1 million of modern fine art from artists including Marco Battaglini, Alec Monopoly, Brainwash and Ted Todd.
Why Louis Manchester Is Trending
Public interest in Louis Manchester stems from several factors. The venue attracted significant attention at its launch event, which saw Manchester City footballers including newly re-signed captain İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, and Rùben Dias attend alongside Coleen Rooney, in her first public appearance following the conclusion of the Wagatha Christie legal case. Other guests included model Molly Moorish-Gallagher, daughter of Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, and singer-songwriter Ella Eyre, who performed at the opening.
The restaurant’s distinctive policies have generated discussion across social media platforms. The mandatory ‘no photographs’ policy, which involves staff placing stickers over phone cameras upon entry, has proven particularly divisive, with some guests finding it “rather liberating” while others view it as unusual. One reviewer noted the policy provides privacy for high-profile guests, observing a Premier League footballer dining at a neighbouring table.
Reviews on TripAdvisor show a mixed response, with the venue currently holding a 4.2 out of 5 rating based on over 360 reviews. While many guests praise the atmosphere, live entertainment, and service quality, some have raised concerns about pricing, with meals for two to three people costing between £300-£350. Food portion sizes and availability have also featured in customer feedback.
Despite mixed reviews, the venue has maintained strong booking demand. Several reviewers noted difficulty securing reservations, with tables appearing to become available closer to desired dates. The restaurant operates a tiered membership system called ‘Coinbearer’s Benefits’ which provides priority booking access and other perks.
Manchester Context and Local Relevance
Louis represents the latest addition to Manchester’s evolving Spinningfields dining quarter, an area that has become synonymous with upscale dining experiences in the city. The venue joins an established roster of restaurants in the district including Tattu, Fenix, Hawksmoor, Gaucho and the recently refurbished Australasia.
The opening of Louis aligns with Permanently Unique Group’s expansion plans. The company, founded by Manchester brothers Adam and Drew Jones, launched their first Tattu in Manchester in 2015 and now operates multiple sites across the UK. The group has reported strong trading performance, with full calendar year EBITDA of £10 million, and Louis contributed to profits in its final quarter of operations.
The brothers are now preparing for international expansion, with construction underway on Tattu Dubai in the Ciel Tower, and plans for both Fenix and Louis locations in Dubai, as well as a flagship Fenix site in London.
For Manchester’s music scene, Louis contributes to the city’s cultural landscape by providing a dedicated live performance space. The venue showcases a rotating roster of local and established talent, with performers including Alexander Stewart, Yemi, and Ben from contemporary R&B group MiC LOWRY featured on the regular line-up. This commitment to live music reflects Manchester’s long-standing identity as a music city.
Public Interest and Confirmed Information
What is publicly confirmed about Louis Manchester is that it is an operational restaurant and music venue owned by an established Manchester hospitality group with a track record of successful restaurant brands. The venue opened in September 2024, serves Italian-American cuisine, features nightly live music, and operates with distinctive house policies including a no-photography rule and reservation-only access.
Customer experiences documented on review platforms indicate varying responses to pricing, food quality, and the overall concept, which is not unusual for high-end dining establishments in their first months of operation. The venue has succeeded in attracting attention from Manchester’s social scene, including sports personalities and public figures.
What remains a matter of ongoing public discussion is whether Louis will maintain its current momentum in Manchester’s competitive hospitality market. The Permanently Unique Group’s expansion plans demonstrate confidence in the concept’s longevity and potential for replication in international markets.
The venue’s approach to dining represents a broader trend in Manchester’s restaurant scene towards experiential dining concepts that combine food, atmosphere, design and entertainment into a cohesive offering. Whether this particular interpretation resonates with Manchester diners long-term will be determined by continued patronage and word-of-mouth recommendation in the months ahead.
Conclusion
Louis Manchester is a new Italian-American restaurant and live music venue in Spinningfields operated by the established Permanently Unique Group. The venue’s combination of upscale dining, nightly live performances, distinctive design, and unusual house policies has generated public interest and discussion since its September 2024 opening. While customer responses vary, particularly regarding value for money, the venue has succeeded in establishing itself as a talked-about addition to Manchester’s dining scene. Its significance lies in representing both the ongoing development of Spinningfields as a hospitality destination and the continued ambition of Manchester-born restaurant groups within the competitive UK market.
For Manchester residents and visitors considering a visit, Louis offers a dinner-only, reservation-required experience with prices reflecting its upscale positioning. Reservations can be made via the restaurant’s website or by contacting the reservations team directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Louis Manchester?
Louis Manchester is an Italian-American restaurant and live music venue located in Spinningfields, Manchester.
2. Where is Louis Manchester located?
It is based at 3 Hardman Square in Spinningfields, Manchester city centre.
3. When did Louis Manchester open?
Louis Manchester officially opened in September 2024.
4. Who owns Louis Manchester?
The venue is operated by Permanently Unique Group, the Manchester-based hospitality company behind Tattu and Fenix.
5. What type of food does Louis Manchester serve?
The restaurant serves Italian-American cuisine, including fresh pasta, classic comfort dishes, and upscale mains.
6. Does Louis Manchester have live music?
Yes, Louis Manchester features live music performances on most evenings, including jazz, soul, and swing.
7. Why is Louis Manchester trending?
It has gained attention due to its high-profile launch, distinctive no-photography policy, and strong presence in Manchester’s dining scene.
8. Is Louis Manchester expensive?
Louis Manchester is positioned as an upscale dining venue, with prices reflecting a premium restaurant and entertainment experience.
9. Do you need a reservation for Louis Manchester?
Yes, the restaurant operates on a reservation-only basis.
10. Is Louis Manchester suitable for special occasions?
Yes, many diners visit Louis Manchester for celebrations due to its atmosphere, live music, and formal dining setting.
Read More: Rage Room Manchester: Smash Stress & Find Inner Peace