Oldham Street. So much to answer for. If there’s another road in Central Manchester with anything like the reputation of the Northern Quarter’s most famous thoroughfare we want to know about it. All of life is here, from historic music venues to secondhand thrift stores, record shops, counter cultural retail havens and a row of bus stops that reflect the past and present of our city. A nightlife destination in its own right, this was the place that gave birth to designer bars with the opening of now-defunct Dry by the ill-fated but still-celebrated Factory Records, and decades on the address is still one of our favourite drinking haunts — The Freemount.
Undergoing a major refurbishment in early 2025, since reopening to the world The Freemount has had a new and decidedly more polished look. But the atmosphere and feel of the place hasn’t really changed. Once through the door — hemmed by elegant green, black and white tiles — customers will find a sizeable space which does a few different things. It’s a spot for casual pints, with pumps showcasing major lager brands alongside local breweries and specialist imports alike.
Walls lined with booze-related memorabilia, from Jameson distillery branded mirrors to wonderfully worn metal signage advertising real ale, the whole interior feels thoroughly timeless with its darkened woods and low light art deco chandeliers. All the better for hosting a packed programme of live music, with bands booked to play every night from 9.30pm weekdays, 8pm on Fridays and 3pm and 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays respectively. Meanwhile, Thursday to Sunday sees DJs take control from midnight into the very early hours — either 3 or 4am depending on when you’re here. The result is an atmospheric watering hole no matter the time of day, and one of the liveliest non-ticketed gig spaces in the area.
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