During a period of unprecedented closures in Manchester, popular student haunt The Font said farewell to the city, serving their cheap and fun cocktails no more, with the site shutting down early last year. Now, Mother Mary’s, Manchester’s brand-new independent music venue and Irish bar has taken over the former Font Bar site with a bang.
The venture, which is being headed up by nightlife veterans Greg Dwyer, Joseph Finegan and Chris Sharp has seen a complete refit with brand new bars, bespoke KV2 sound system and a stunning lighting system that illuminates two epic stages, breathing new life back into the iconic space.
The two stages, which are split across both floors, are set to be the backdrop of everything Mother Mary’s is about – live bands and wonderful performances whilst providing a platform for new and upcoming DJs and performers.
The venue serves an impressive food menu headed up by Chef Andrew James with his ‘Blackbird‘ concept, setting up residency in Mary’s kitchen. His team have a vast wealth of experience taking over venues kitchens across the city, recently starting their own venue in suburb of the moment, Stockport.
The menu features all-day breakfasts, brunch, hearty Irish favourites and a show-stopping Sunday roast. Irish and American classics make up a large part of the menu with plans to make Mother Mary’s breakfast and its trophy Sunday roast one of the best in the city.
A dedicated cocktail menu has also been launched alongside a selection of some of Manchester’s best beers, wines and craft ales. The menu also pays homage to the history of the sites former resident serving a £2 cocktail called ‘The Font’ with the ingredients and inspiration to change every three months.
Mother Mary’s is also set to host a weekly event schedule including local and touring bands, curated entertainment, a jam-packed brunch every Saturday split across two floors, a Mother Mary’s open stage every Monday, stand-up comedy and some of the very best selectors from the city who will soundtrack what Mother Mary’s are hoping will be an outstanding backdrop.
The bar takes inspiration from both Ireland and the USA with both directors visiting multiple times over the past two years in an attempt to bring back some incredible ideas for their new venture, in an attempt to make Mary’s feel comfortably authentic.
Greg Dwyer, owner of Mother Mary’s said: “Mother Mary’s is all about providing a space for grassroots live music. I started going out around here, I was in here all the time and I was even fortunate enough to play records here a long time ago, so this is an unbelievable opportunity and to do it with two good friends that I’ve met along the way is incredible. We will be taking good care of the former Font site.
“The three of us have a wealth of experience and a bunch of ideas to make this a sustainable live music venue. Our tagline for Mother Mary’s is strangely familiar: we are a home away from home. The old Font Bar is there, it’s familiar but strangely different.”
Mother Mary’s is open 7 days a week from 10am until late.
📍 Mother Mary’s/The Font, 7-9 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP.