On the face of it, as you walk by on Hilton Street, Feel Good Club looks like any other Northern Quarter bar. Minimalist interior design complete with a ceiling of small bare bulbs — half cute, half industrial — there’s actually a lot more here than meets the eye. Far more than just a place for (admittedly great) food and drinks, this place is a veritably hub for the LGBTQIA+ community and is committed to supporting people struggling with mental health.
Established by Aimie and Kiera Lawlor-Skillen, Feel Good Club started out as a project to distract from an eating disorder battle. It has since blossomed into a multitude of things, all dedicated to caring for our minds and overall wellbeing and showing solidarity. The idea is to improve how someone feels on any given day and help them prioritise their needs. Half-a-million Instagram followers, give or take, can’t be wrong, drawn to the FGC account thanks to the high profile billboard takeovers you’ll see around our city, often encouraging us to talk “this week, next week, and every week”. Then there’s the iconic clothing lines that form a core part of the business, and books like ‘The Feel Good Club Guide to Feeling Good and Being Okay With it When You’re Not’.
Although all this stuff is visible and accessible online, a big part of Feel Good Club’s philosophy is IRL. Hence the team running this bar in the heart of Manchester’s hippest district. If you’re hungry, there are amazing all day brunch options from super greens bowls to smashed avocado on toast, vegan breakfast and meaty alternatives. Then from midday onwards fish finger muffin, mac & cheese and soup of the day, salads, sides and more are on offer. And if you’re thirsty, coffee blends created in collaboration with roasters at Heart & Graft, indulgent hot chocolate, fresh juices and smoothies are equally amazing. Meanwhile, there’s plenty stronger — craft beers, spritz, sharing cocktails, individual long drinks, wine and fizz. And you’ll also find a stacked calendar of events — from DJ sets and live gigs to film club screenings — all designed to nurture connection and bring us closer together.
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