Sovereign Clouds, a new restaurant and karaoke venue, is opening in Manchester’s Chinatown this week, with its owners describing it as one of the biggest new openings in the neighbourhood in years. The venue occupies the former New Hong Kong spot on Faulkner Street, which has been closed for nearly ten years, and spans three floors with over 1,000 square metres of space, featuring a restaurant, karaoke suites, and private dining rooms.
A Venue Years in the Making
The restaurant is led by owner Terry Ni, who has run the Dynasty Chinese and Thai takeaway in Timperley for the last 11 years. Terry, originally from China and a UK resident for more than 23 years, says the opening allows him to bring his two homes together and honour his upbringing.
“I wanted to share more of the Chinese culture I grew up with - the food, the way we gather around a table, celebrate special occasions and enjoy ourselves with family and friends,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “This includes both traditional Chinese dining and entertainment, such as karaoke.”
Authentic Cuisine with a Modern Twist
The menu focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients, offering traditional Cantonese and Sichuan favourites alongside contemporary fusion creations. Terry highlighted the guo bao rou, a crispy sweet and sour pork dish from north-east China, and the Dragon Across The Four Seas, which features the venue’s own take on lobster.
“These dishes give a sense of what we’re trying to do by celebrating traditional Chinese flavours while at the same time bringing some new ideas to the table,” he explained. Other highlights include crispy shredded chicken in chilli sauce, salt and pepper ribs, and crispy duck.
Making an Occasion of It
Ahead of the official opening on Thursday (October 29), a series of soft opening events have drawn a positive response. Terry said the three-floor layout gives the venue space to offer something different, with private karaoke booths where guests can order food directly to the table.
“I’d love people who are less familiar with Chinese dining and entertainment to feel comfortable coming in and trying something new,” he said. His long-term ambition is for Sovereign Clouds to become a recognised destination in Manchester, contributing to the city’s growth and giving people another reason to visit Chinatown.
Terry expressed excitement about joining the bustling area of restaurants, shops, cafes and takeaways spanning Asia. “I think Chinatown is an important part of what makes Manchester special,” he said. “For those of us who were born in China, it gives us a connection to our roots and a sense of home. For others, it’s a place to experience our food, traditions and way of life.”
Sovereign Clouds is located at 45-47 Faulkner St, Manchester, M1 4EE.
