The Alchemist Mediacity

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Ian Jones

The latest in the ever-expanding Alchemist chain of restaurants is a rather more lively experience, compared to its Spinningfields sister. To get there first you need to navigate Mediacity’s infuriatingly baffling layout – if this district ever going to achieve its aims of becoming a must-visit dining destination, a more user-friendly experience is needed. Really, how much do a couple of maps and signposts cost?

Once found, inside The Alchemist you’re hit with a semi-nightclub feel, with banging house music blasted out at full volume, full of raucous media types clamouring to be heard over the dance anthems. If you’re looking for a quiet romantic night out, best to head elsewhere.

Duck Spring Rolls

It’s perhaps unfair to compare, but the Spinningfields Alchemist venue has the edge, lookswise. The original boasts high ceilings and intricate lighting while this one has the feel of a jazzed-up shipping container that hasn’t quite decided what it is yet.

There’s a slight delay with the food, understandable as the venue is so busy. An initial order of olives is forgotten and unused cutlery is removed but not replaced, adding to the sense of confusion. Everything seems to be running at 100mph, and while a mistake or two is forgivable, slowing things down a notch would make everything a little less exhausting for everyone.

Satay Prawns

The food itself is fine, though again, comes up lacking next to sister venues. The duck spring rolls are crunchy, crumbly and the sticky plum sauce is a great match. The satay prawns, however, are a flat-out mistake. Cold and translucent, with a glossy yet barely-there coating of peanut goo, it’s an uninspiring plate that looks and tastes like a relic from the seventies.

The Reuben sandwich is a nice enough snack. It’s toasted and packed with salt beef and scratches an itch, rather than being a culinary revelation. You could probably knock something up in your kitchen for a tenth of the price, but hey, who’s counting.

Reuben Sandwich

The fajitas come on a segmented school dinner-style tray, providing sections for sour cream, lettuce, peppers and onions, tomato salsa and chicken. They’re not the most authentic fajitas you’ll ever have but they’re packed with flavour and boast a hefty, spicy kick.

Fajitas

Food-lovers suspicious of Mediacity’s reputation as a mere outpost of London, isolated from Manchester in both locale and spirit, won’t be swayed by a visit to Alchemist Medicacity. The whole vibe is frantic energy and showiness, and while the food could be better, a few nips and tucks will bring it up to speed with the other highly-regarded restaurants in this fast-growing chain.

The BundThe QuaysM50 3AB View map
Telephone: 01618727396 Visit Now

Services and Facilities

Bar, restaurant

Opening Hours

  • Monday9:00am - 12:00am
  • Tuesday9:00am - 12:00am
  • Wednesday9:00am - 12:00am
  • Thursday9:00am - 1:00am
  • Friday9:00am - 2:00am
  • Saturday10:00am - 2:00am
  • Sunday10:00am - 11:00am

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near The Alchemist Mediacity

Aakash Odedra - Mehek at The Lowry
DanceThe Quays
Aakash Odedra – Mehek at The Lowry

An enchanting exploration of the human heart masterfully danced by Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas, the great South Asian dancers of their respective generations.

from £16.50
A white woman with long brown hair sits naked on a table with her legs open. A silhouette of somebody’s head is blocking her breasts, stomach & vulva. She is looking down. Beef steaks that look like labia hang on either side of her.
TheatreMediaCityUK
High Steaks at The Lowry

Eloina Haines’ one-woman show is a contemporary and deeply affecting performance about labia-shaming and cosmetic surgery.

0.00 -Pay-What-You-Decide

Where to go near The Alchemist Mediacity

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

The Lowry Theatre and Gallery in Salford Quays Manchester.
Salford
Theatre
The Lowry

With two theatres, galleries and a studio space, award-winning Quayside arts centre The Lowry combines the performing and visual arts to impressive effect.

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

Ice Rink
Manchester
MCUK Ice Rink
at Media City

Embrace that most Christmassy of activities and get your skates on outside of the chaotic city centre this winter. The Ice Rink at Media City will be serving festive fun till January 5th.

Manchester
Shop
Booths Media City

The Booths branch at Media City, Salford Quays is much appreciated by TV, radio and media executives who work in the area.

Manchester
Restaurant
11 Central

11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.