Manchester celebhaunt restaurant could be returning - just months after closing

It’s been six months since celebhaunt spot SakkuSamba closed its doors - but it could already be in line for a big return very soon.

The sushi and steak restaurant, located on The Avenue in Spinningfields, became known for hosting a number of celebrity parties since opening in 2022. The venue was attended by the likes of Kym Marsh, Lucy Fallon and Katie McGlynn, as well as Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Ampika Pickston and Lauren Simon.

Earlier this year in one of its last big events, SakkuSamba was chosen by American music stars Ne-Yo and Mario for their tour's after-party - attracting a packed-out crowd including former Manchester United footballer Jesse Lingard.

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In July this year, bosses initially announced the restaurant would be closing for a refurbishment before it was revealed that it would instead be fully revamped into a new venue called Raft.

The restaurant, nightclub and party venue, which was at the centre of an estimated £1.8m transformation, featured a tavern-style pub, a 'toilet disco’, 360 DJ booths and an after-hours club, alongside a menu including the likes of sharing mezze boards and small plates like Birria beef sliders and Indonesian-inspired pork belly rendang.

Just three months after Raft opened, diners turned up in October to the venue to find its doors had been ‘bolted shut’ with a 'Forfeiture Notice' note from a bailiff service. A spokesperson for the venue said it had been ‘caught up in a historic dispute’ and had to ‘temporarily cease trading’ at the time.

It is not thought to have reopened since and is now listed as permanently closed online. However, bosses have now teased that the venue could be