Stockport’s newest day-to-night venue is about to open its doors, taking over a red sandstone landmark that connects both the town’s historic Market Hall and the rising Underbank quarter below. Dubbed simply Underbank, the venue will launch across the bank holiday weekend with a soft opening on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May, ahead of a full-scale grand opening on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May.
Taking over the former HQ of a Cheshire bank, and more recently a furniture store, the site is now home to Stockport’s first dedicated beer hall and sound system. On the ground floor, the newly fitted space will serve up pints from some of Greater Manchester’s best breweries, including Pomona Island and Runaway, alongside a Guinness tap and a frozen margarita bar with flavours ranging from mango to coconut. There’ll also be watermelon tequila hot shots, timed perfectly for the venue’s front terrace to come into its own for summer.
It’s the latest project from Des and Nina O’Malley, the husband-and-wife team behind Nook in Heaton Moor, who have lived in Stockport for the last decade and watched as its food and drink scene evolved around them.
“Stockport is changing, you can feel it,” says Nina. “The quality of food and drink is getting better and better and we want to be a part of it.”
Their new venue, Underbank, will eventually occupy all floors of the building, with a recording studio and event space in the basement, and a rooftop terrace planned for next summer. It also happens to be the only venue in town with dual access from both the Overbank and Underbank, a quirk of the town’s unusual topography. The roof-level entrance links directly to the growing Old Town market plaza, while the main bar downstairs connects to the thriving Underbank strip that’s already home to Stanley, Bruk, Yellowhammer and Cantaloupe.
But Underbank isn’t just another bar. The venue is making a serious commitment to sound. It’s the first in Stockport to install a Void system — the high-end audio rig used at major festivals — installed by the globally experienced Hollowsphere team. As part of its opening weekender, local DJs and party collectives including Rich Reason, James Holroyd, Sticky Heat and Mixtress will be taking over the decks.
“The street parties, the car park raves, Foodie Friday — everyone’s started saying Stockport’s like the new Berlin,” Des says. “But so far, everything’s felt temporary. We want to build something permanent.”
As part of their wider vision, Underbank will also run a rotating kitchen residency, kicking off with a collab from Steve Patel’s Vaso Kitchens. Think Indian-inspired small plates, pachos and kebabs, served up alongside your margarita slush. Future guest kitchens will rotate seasonally.
The venue is opening in phases, with more of the building being brought online as the team settles in. The O’Malleys are inviting early visitors to join them for the soft launch across the bank holiday weekend.
Anyone arriving before 8pm on Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 May, and following the venue on Instagram, will get 50% off their bill as part of a friends and family offer.
From opening, Underbank will run Thursdays through Sundays, midday to 1am, bringing an ambitious all-day drinking and music venue to SK1 just in time for summer.
