The awards celebrate ‘the breadth and brilliance’ of the region
Indian restaurant and banqueting suite Royal Nawaab Stockport leads the nominations at the This Is Manchester 2025 Awards(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The very best of Manchester’s thriving food and drink, music, and live events scene has been celebrated as the shortlist for a prestigious awards ceremony has been announced.
The This Is Manchester Awards, which have been held annually since its launch in 2018, celebrate the city’s hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, music venues, and live events across a variety of categories representing ‘the breadth and brilliance of the region’.
This year’s event will be hosted by Jenny Powell, Scott Thomas and Brooke Vincent and will be held at Lancashire Cricket Club on November 6. An esteemed panel of judges, including BBC Manchester’s Joe McGrath, public speaker Asia Sharif, and journalist Andy Spinoza, will help decide this year’s recipients.
Royal Nawaab Pyramid, in Stockport, has received a total of five nominations, including for Leading Restaurant Award (Formal) and Outstanding Debut of the Year. The restaurant inside the iconic blue pyramid building has also been nominated for Leading Chef Of The Year (Mahboob Hussain), Leading Technology/Digital Innovator (Bilal Jogi), and Entrepreneur Of The Year (Mahboob Hussain).
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The 20 Stories restaurant and bar has received three nominations at this year’s This Is Manchester Awards
20 Stories, which offers unrivalled panoramic city views from the 19th floor of the No. 1 Spinningfields building, received three nominations within this year’s shortlist for Leading Restaurant (Formal), Leading Bar/Club of the Year, and Leading Chef of the Year with Daniel Scott.
Italian restaurant Circolo Popolare, situated near Deansgate, has also received three nominations. The first Northern location for the Big Mamma Group has been recognised in the shortlist for Leading Restaurant (Casual), Leading Chef of the Year (Alfonso Esposito) and Outstanding Debut of the Year.
Irish bar and music venue Mother Mary’s has also received three nominations, including for Outstanding Debut Of The Year Award. Sales and Marketing Manager Leigh Palmer has been nominated for both the Hospitality Personality Of The Year and the One to Watch / Young Person / Fundraiser of the Year awards.
Speaking about the recognition, the owners of Mother Mary’s, which took over the former The Font venue last June, posted online: “It’s hard to believe we only opened our doors last year and in that time, we’ve grown into so much more than just a bar and live music venue.
Irish bar Mother Mary’s, co-owned by Greg Dwyer and Joseph Finegan (pictured) alongside Chris Sharp, has received a number of nominations(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“From our Grassroots Alldayers that give emerging artists a platform, to our inclusive queer events and creative community collaborations, every step has been about building a space where everyone feels welcome, celebrated, and connected. This nomination is a huge honour and a testament to the passion, hard work, and heart our small independent team pours into everything we do.”
Hinterland, which is an alcohol-free bar in the basement of the Manchester Buddhist Centre on Turner Street, is also amongst those to earn three shortlist entries. Alongside Leading Bar/Club of the Year, the venue has also been recognised with a nomination for Outstanding Debut of the Year and Leading Live Event Venue.
Former MasterChef star Caroline Martins has been nominated for Leading Chef of the Year, whilst her SAMPA venue, which celebrates Brazilian fusion cuisine in an intimate and hidden location in the city centre, has also received a nod for Leading Restaurant (Casual).
Treehouse Hotel Manchester is also home to Pip, the acclaimed restaurant which has been praised since opening earlier this year(Image: Simon Brown)
Seven venues have been shortlisted for the Leading Hotel Of The Year Award, including the Kimpton Clock Tower, Hilton Garden Inn at Emirates Old Trafford and the recently-revamped Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly. Treehouse Manchester, which opened earlier this year, has also been shortlisted, whilst its restaurant Pip Mcr, from acclaimed chef Mary-Ellen McTague, has been spotlighted for the Leading Restaurant Award (Casual).
All entries were reviewed independently by the judging panel, which is chaired by Nazir Afzal OBE, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for Northwest England.
Ziara Siddique, founder of the awards, said: “The quality and variety of entries this year has been phenomenal. It’s a privilege to shine a spotlight on so many inspirational people, businesses and organisations that make Greater Manchester one of the most vibrant and pioneering cities in the world.”
The leading nominations for the This Is Manchester 2025 Awards
Leading Hotel Of The Year Award
- INNSiDE by Melia Manchester
- Hilton Garden Inn at Emirates Old Trafford
- Malmaison Deansgate Manchester
- Treehouse Manchester
- The Edwardian Manchester
- Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly
- Kimpton Clock Tower
Leading Restaurant Award (Formal)
- The Cut & Craft
- The Ivy
- Fazenda
- 20 Stories
- Peter Street Kitchen
- Royal Nawaab Pyramid
- San Carlo
- Namii Kitchen & Cocktails
- Vermilion
- Australasia
Leading Restaurant Award (Casual)
- Giovanni Mcr
- Sampa
- The Cotton House Restaurant & Bar
- TNQ Restaurant & Bar
- Dishoom Manchester
- The Refuge
- Cafe Continental
- Lina Stores
- Gladstone
- Pip Mcr
- Circolo Popolare Manchester
- Ciaooo Mcr
Leading Chef Of The Year Award
- Candice Pryce – The Ivy Collection
- Mahboob Hussain – Royal Nawaab
- Daniel Scott, 20 Stories
- Caroline Martins – Sao Paulo Group Ltd
- Alfonso Esposito – Circolo Popolare
- Freddie Minns – Fred’s Café
Leading Bar / Club Of The Year Award
- The Banyan Tree
- 20 Stories
- Hinterland Bar
- Side Street Manchester
- The Mezz Bar – AO Arena
- Black Cat Club
- Barca Bar
Outstanding Debut Of The Year Award
- The Cut & Craft
- NYXE Worsley
- Circolo Popolare Manchester
- Mother Mary’s
- The Unseen Room
- Royal Nawaab Pyramid
- Cafe Continental
- The Headspa
- Hinterland Bar
Leading Live Event Award
- JD Sports PLC – JD UP
- FORMATT GG – The Ultimate Gaming Night
- Dungeons & Flagons – Manchester Board Game Festival
- Manchester God Like Genius (Oasis Exhibition) – Teddy Lennon
- Music For The Senses – Wild In Art
- Britfest 2025
- Bolton Food & Drink Festival
- Manchester 24 Hr Run Against Homelessness – Greater Manchester Mayors Charity
- Gaydio Pride Awards – Gaydio
- Trib3 – Trib3 Manchester
- The Unseen Room – The Fitzgerald Manchester
- Adored Events – Live Music Festival
Leading Live Event Venue Award
- Emirates Old Trafford, home of Lancashire Cricket
- Hinterland Bar
- Victoria Warehouse
- Gorton Monastery
Leading Technology / Digital Innovator
- Housr Living Ltd
- Bilal Jogi – Royal Nawaab
- GIFS Media Group
- Mariam Hussein – On The Beach
- PAC-MAN Live – Arcade Arena Manchester
- Electricity Northwest
- Teachmate
- Azaan Maqbool – Sprout9.net
- EDGEY
- Emma Louise Fusari – In-House Health Limited
- My Digital
Leading Sustainability & Impact Award
- Co-op Live
- Faith In Nature
- BM Caterers
- Radisson Hotel Manchester
- Vision Linens
- JD Sports PLC – JD UP
Leading Retail Business / Brand Of The Year
- Root2Ginger
- Underfound
- The Trafford Centre
- Mars The Label
The full list of nominations can be found here, alongside the chance to vote for a winner of three of the awards.
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