A Place Called Common, or Common as everyone refers to it, is up there with the Northern Quarter’s best-loved bars. You’ll find this one on Edge Street, a once half-derelict corner of the city that’s become a busy pedestrianised nightlife, day drinking and indie shopping destination, with most venues spilling out onto street-side tables. Even with such stuff competition, this particular spot usually turns over a very good trade, occupying one of the area’s biggest units with eye-catching, vibrant exterior decor.
Buzzing would be one way to describe the atmosphere, especially from Thursday through Sunday. That’s partly thanks to the bar itself, which is perfectly curated and stocked. Excellent draught beers, including local and domestic independents, imported European icons and Common’s equivalent to a reasonably priced car — Common Lager — set the tone. Meanwhile, impressive whiskeys, gins and tequilas raise the game, if you’re looking to get fully involved. All of which brings us nicely to the food, much needed to balance all that liquid, and this operation is all about collaborations with nearby institutions. Early 2025, for example, saw a partnership with Indian street food specialist Bundobust, bringing Cardamom and Pistachio Ice Cream to the sweet-toothed drinkers.
Common’s most famous association, though, is with Nell’s Pizza. Known for serving up slices as big as your head, if not bigger, the keen-eyed might recognise the name from other kitchens at Kampus, Chorlton, and Altrincham. Made New York-style, which means thin crusted and foldable — the only way to go about actually eating these beasts — this is food for sharing, with massive 14 and 22” pizzas par for the course. Toppings are often seasonal and the Big’Za menu evolves over time. Favourites from our personal experiences have included the Very Verdant Vegan (seasonal leafy greens, roasted cashew cream, bomba regina, and roquito peppers), ‘Shroom with A View (as it sounds), and the amazing Do You ‘Roni Honey? (N’duja, pepperoni, tomato sauce, chilli honey and mozzarella blend). Finally, if you’re here on the weekend don’t be surprised to find DJ sets in full swing, showcasing heads from the city’s renowned electronic scene.