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Rain Bar, Manchester

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80 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5JG (View on Google Map)

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
29/10/2024
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 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 décor 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.

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

Current beers

This Pub serves no changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
JW Lees - Bitter
JW Lees - Bitter Session Bitter • 4% Spotted 10 times
JW Lees - Bitter
JW Lees - Bitter

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 10 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
JW Lees - Founder's
JW Lees - Founder's Premium Bitter • 4.5%
JW Lees - Founder's
JW Lees - Founder's

Premium Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale Session Pale Ale • 3.7% Spotted 11 times
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale
JW Lees - Manchester Pale Ale

Session Pale Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.7%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 11 times

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Canalside Patio
Disabled Access Disabled Access
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
Real Ale Real Ale
OCR Pub OCR Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 4 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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