If you know Manchester’s country and rock & roll scenes, then Bunny Jackson’s, Bunny’s Country Club, and Bunny’s Karaoke will probably be familiar names. Now enters the “upstart little cousin”, Junior Jackson. Another dive bar in the truest sense — you dive down into it from the hustle and bustle of Oldham Street above — the idea is simple. “Beers, shots, loud music, bad behaviour, burgers, and BOGOF everything happy hour from 3pm ’til 8pm.” The kind of place you meet up with friends for one and wind up falling back out many, many hours later.
As with its relatives elsewhere in the city centre, Junior Jackson’s is all about Americana and US guitar culture. This is reflected in the decor and overall vibe, making it hard not to feel as though you’ve walked off the street in Manchester and into a movie scene. This carries through to the menu, with Patty Jacksons burgers served from the kitchen. Alongside a range of Fries & Sides, including Onion Rings and Chicken Tenders. It’s worth noting that eats are offered until 10pm, too.
As for the bar, the focus here is on committed boozing, and to begin with that means a huge choice of beer. Stateside brews dominate, some of which you won’t find elsewhere. Pabst Blue Ribbon, anyone? Seltzers get their own part of the menu — Hooch, of all kinds, White Claw and “rotating fizzy fun stuff” — and this is one of very few spots we know to serve Boilers. El Dorado 5 and Miller. Jack Daniels Apple & Thatchers. Peanut butter stout & peanut butter whiskey. You get the gist. As with all Jackson operations, there’s a big choice of cocktails, many of which are unique to the brand. But here on Oldham Street you’ll also find a selection of frozen drinks, including Irish Coffee and Pina Colada, to mix things up a bit.
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