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Rain Bar, Manchester

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Cask Ale
Closes in 1 minutes
80 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5JG (View on Google Map)
(0161) 235 6500
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  • Outstanding pub conversion

One of the largest pubs in the JW Lees Brewery estate, this pub occupies a prime location on the Rochdale canal, close to the Bridgewater Hall, home of the Halle Orchestra. Formerly an umbrella factory, it was converted into JW Lees' flagship pub in the 90s and underwent a refurbishment in 2023. The full range of JW Lees cask ales are served.

The ground floor area curves round three sides of the large bar, with a variety of raised and sunken areas helping to break up the room. Dominated by dark wood & leather, can seem cosy or gloomy, depending on time of year. The large patio area alongside the Rochdale Canal is the pub's best feature. One of the largest outdoor drinking areas in Manchester city centre, it can predictably can get very busy during summer.

Pub food including daily specials is served until 8 on weekdays and until 6 at weekends.

Upstairs is a large function room with room for up to 120 while the third floor houses 'The Boardroom' - a second function room suitable for dining functions and meetings with a difference.

Information for this venue is provided by the Central Manchester Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Manchester District (B)
Last updated
Last surveyed
21/05/2011
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
J. W. LEES & CO. (BREWERS) LIMITED
Pub ID
TRA/3629
Asset of Community Value

Conversion

This large pub is in a prime spot on the Rochdale canal, close to Bridgewater Hall. It was formerly an umbrella factory, converted by JW Lees into a pub in the 90s and recently refurbished. The ground floor area curves round three sides of the large bar, with a variety of raised and sunken areas helping to break up the room. A lot of thought and effort has gone into making a good drinking experience, skilfully combining traditional and contemporary elements. The decor uses dark wood and leather to good effect alongside open fires to create a cosy feel. There is a patio alongside the canal, one of the largest beer gardens in the city centre, busy in the summer. Upstairs are two floors of function rooms. Real ales and meals are served.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations
Monday
Noon - 11:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - Midnight
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
Sunday
Noon - 8:00pm
Monday
Noon - 8:30pm
Tuesday
Noon - 8:30pm
Wednesday
Noon - 8:30pm
Thursday
Noon - 8:30pm
Friday
Noon - 8:30pm
Saturday
Noon - 8:30pm
Sunday
Noon - 7:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves no changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

JW Lees - Bitter TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
JW Lees - Bitter
JW Lees - Bitter Session Bitter • 4% Spotted once
JW Lees - Bitter
JW Lees - Bitter

This beer is served regularly and Spotted once. at Rain Bar, Manchester.

ABV 4%
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

JW Lees - Founder's TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
JW Lees - Founder's
JW Lees - Founder's Premium Bitter • 4.5%
JW Lees - Founder's
JW Lees - Founder's

This beer is served regularly at Rain Bar, Manchester.

ABV 4.5%
Style Premium Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale Session Pale Ale • 3.7% Spotted twice
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale

This beer is served regularly and Spotted twice. at Rain Bar, Manchester.

ABV 3.7%
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Canalside Patio
Mobility Access Statement Mobility Access Statement
Via the back entrance
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Outside only
Function Room Function Room
Capacity 120
Real Fire Real Fire
Smoking Smoking
Canalside Patio
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
OCR Pub OCR Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes
33, 63, 84, 105, 255, 256, X50
Close to metro
Deansgate-Castlefield
Adjacent station
Manchester Oxford Road
Directions
Behind the Bridgewater Hall

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