New chair-less Italian dining experience is coming to Manchester for one night only

A new dining experience is taking place for one night only in Manchester next week that does not require tables or chairs.

Organised by Alpine brewery Menabrea, the event will introduce the Northern Italian tradition of Apericena to Manchester. This concept blends the bar and restaurant scenes and encourages diners to wander around and socialise, unrestricted by tables, chairs and set places.

The Menabrea Apericena experience will be coming to Haunt MCR, on Peter Street, on Wednesday 13 September, from 6:30pm. The event is free to attend, but you must book your place via Eventbrite. More Apericena events are expected to be announced in the future.

There will be a variety of small plates on offer, as well as a Menabrea beer. A DJ will also be entertaining the crowds as they work the room. The menu has been designed in collaboration with chef and food writer Nina Parker. Guests will have the opportunity to learn how to cook these dishes at home.

What do the organisers say?

Antonina Parker commented: “I can’t wait to bring these unique events to the UK with Menabrea. I have a personal tie to Italian cuisine through my family heritage, so collaborating with one of Italy’s most renowned beers was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.

“I look forward to welcoming guests to the events to discover one of Italy’s best kept secrets where they can enjoy a more social and connected experience while sampling tasty food, award-winning Italian beer and music.”

Angus Lawrie, spokesperson at Menabrea, said: “Taking inspiration from the incredible cuisine and engaging culture of its home region, our Menabrea Apericena series will be an evening like no other. Delicious small plates will be served alongside Piedmont’s most famous Italian Alpine Birra, Menabrea, brewed with passion using only the finest quality ingredients at the foot of the Alps for five generations.

“We are so excited to bring guests a true taste of Northern Italy at the UKs first-ever standing dining experiences across Manchester, London and Glasgow this summer.”

Body positivity

The other added benefit of Apericena, according to body confidence expert and founder of Confidence Live, Kirsty Hulse is that it can help makes us feel more confident.

She explained: “Removing chairs from restaurants has the potential to bring higher energy to social occasions and create positive moods amongst those dining. Lots of research has shown that being more upright can increase our feelings of confidence, connection and enhance our positive mood. When sitting at a formal table in a formal dining experience, we can become sluggish and feel disconnected.”