Manchester institution Rain Bar re-opens

Manchester family brewers, JW Lees, later today officially re-opens the doors of Rain Bar with a fresh new look.  The £700,000 redevelopment takes the Rain Bar forward and firmly positions it as a premium pub restaurant in one of the best freehold sites in Manchester, as well as creating over 20 new jobs.

Rain Bar, located on Great Bridgewater Street in Manchester, was first opened by JW Lees in 1999 when they converted the former umbrella factory next to the Bridgewater Hall and this latest refurbishment brings the pub firmly up to date with a smart metropolitan style.  A stunning centrepiece bar, comfortable dining and drinking areas, open fireplaces and a choice of impressive events spaces, make it suitable for anything from a simple drinks reception to a city centre wedding, as well as being a little bit special.  The award-winning canal-side beer garden is a magnet for customers in the summer the new bi-fold doors make it easier to access the terraces when the sun comes out.

The redevelopment gives a nod to its industrial background as well as a LS Lowry inspired pictorial pub sign that captures a resilient Manchester spirit with an eye-catching series of light projections on the gable ends which will improve the site’s visibility at night.

The central bar is at the heart of the building with a line up of JW Lees’s cask ales and lagers, including Manchester Pale Ale, Manchester Craft lager, as well as a showcase of JW Lees’ innovative small-batch Boilerhouse beers which will rotate throughout the year.  The food menu features many pub classics including the Brewery Tower Burger, home-made Steak and JW Lees Ale Pie and a proper Sunday Roast with bottomless Yorkshire puddings and as much gravy as you want.

William Lees-Jones, Managing Director, JW Lees, said, ‘We first opened Rain Bar in 1999 when it was welcomed into Manchester’s growing hospitality trade, winning The Publican Award in 2000 for the best new pub/bar in the UK and Manchester’s City Life award for the best beer garden in central Manchester.  23 years and £700k later we are re-opening ready to welcome guests old and new.’

Alex King, General Manager, Rain Bar, said, ‘I joined JW Lees five years ago and we’ve been planning the refurbishment and re-opening since then and now that Covid is behind us we can’t wait for the summer.  It’s a stunning site and I can’t wait to welcome everyone back.’