The Oast House

Manchester is full of surprises. It’s what keeps us on our toes and makes life eternally interesting, even when the slate grey skies imply otherwise. But few buildings catch you quite as off-guard as The Oast House. Named after the traditional buildings used for kilning hops as part of the beer-brewing process, it sticks out like a wood-clad sore thumb in an otherwise glass and steel dominated neighbourhood. A sprawling bar with kitchen, there’s an early-18th Century look to the structure itself, which is defined by a conical roof paying tribute to the vernacular of olde rural architecture. 

Appearances can be deceiving, though. Like the district it sits within, Spinningfields, The Oast House is a very modern addition to Central Manchester’s hospitality map. Opened to help push more leisure footfall in a neighbourhood which is predominantly designed for big business and high end retail, during the warmer months you’ll find a large number of tables set out in the open air or beneath makeshift timber roofs. On Thursday and Friday evenings during midsummer things get particularly busy, with the place now an icon of after work drinking culture. 

The festival vibes are impossible to ignore, and emphasised by the outdoor stage which hosts live music every evening from late-spring onwards. No matter when you visit, though, this landmark destination provides a warm welcome, whether you’re eating or just drinking. Head inside for an atmospheric setting that feels even more removed from the modern location, with hearty food taking the form of deli boards, rotisseries, a grill, and international street food-style dishes. All of which explains the universal appeal. Definitely amongst the most unique spots to while away an hour or two, it’s synonymous with warm weather but also ideally suited to the festive season, when the aesthetic switches to something much more Alpine-esque.