An independent cafe and bar has opened in Fallowfield taking over the former Font bar, which, thanks to its cheap beer and £2 and £3 cocktails, was a long-time favourite with local students for many years.
The new bar is called HandleBar and, as you might have guessed from the name, it is cycling themed.
With its very own bike repair workshop and artwork that screams ‘live, laugh, lube’ at you as you walk through the door, plus wall colours inspired by the colours of cycling competition winner’s jerseys, we’ll be honest – there’s no doubting the fact.
The brightly-painted walls nod to the Tour De France, Giro D’Italia and Vuelta a España and there is even a dedicated space to lock up your bike inside whilst having a drink, which is sure to fox Fallowfield’s notorious bike thieves.
With the bar and cafe sitting on one of the busiest cycle routes in Manchester, it makes sense – but non-cyclists needn’t be put off, there’s plenty for them here too.
From barista-made coffee and artisan bakes to cocktails, sustainable wines, pints of beer and cider, brunch and lunch, there’s a little something for every time of the day.
We’re also happy to report that Font’s cheap drinks legacy lives on with pint of ‘Big D*ck Energy’ lager costing just £2.75.
Cocktails here are priced slightly higher – around the £6/7 mark, with choices including crowdpleasing favourites like the Pornstar Martini. Still, owner Steve Dunbar is mindful that he wants to keep customer costs down.
Handlebar has been roughly a year in the making, first purchased by Steve last year.
Prior to opening the bar, he worked within the music industry – buying and selling niche pieces of equipment to bands in order to cover the costs of his own music production courses.
After that, he ventured to Greece to work as a cycling tour instructor before hopping over to Spain to do the same, this time guiding pupils along the Vuelta a España route.
Keenly interested in both music and cycling, at HandleBar he plans to host a busy calendar of events – starting with Tour de France screenings as well as live music gigs, bike workshops, art fairs and film screenings.
The new bar and cafe is fully supplied by independent businesses from the local area and boasts a range of art, all provided by local artists, on its walls.
Towards the front, there is window seating and a further collection of art prints available for purchase.
The bike workshop is open Wednesday to Friday 11-6pm for servicing and repairs and, depending on workload and the type of repair necessary, repairs can be carried out while you wait and enjoy a drink.
Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.
What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.
Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.
Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.
In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.
Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.
It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.
Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…
Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.
Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.
With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.
“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!
Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.
18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price
Emily Sergeant
18-21 year olds can now apply to travel on Greater Manchester’s bus network for half price, it has been announced.
The Bee Network says it is ‘continuing to lead the way’ when it comes to cutting the cost of public transport, with applications for half price unlimited bus travel for 18-21 year olds now open and around 150,000 young people in Greater Manchester set to benefit.
The new pass will ‘better connect’ young people to work, training, or education opportunities.
With the Greater Manchester economy found to be experiencing faster growth compared to the UK as a whole, and with making travel ‘easier, more affordable, and inclusive’ a critical part of the Bee Network’s success, Mayor Andy Burnham announced the half-price bus travel this week, alongside a raft of other improvements across the region.
Some of the other improvements the Mayor announced include more frequent buses, cheaper travel, and new round-the-clock services.
18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price / Credit: TfGM
Young people can now buy a 28-day bus travelcard for just £40, which is half the price of adult fares and the equivalent of just £1.43 per day for unlimited travel on any Bee Network bus in Greater Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the new half-price travel is aimed at helping the thousands of young people once their 16-18 ‘Our Pass’ expires, and will support them as they move into further education or the world of work.
“Young people in Greater Manchester have been calling out for an affordable transport option for when their Our Pass expires and this new pass will give them that,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Director for Customer and Growth at TfGM.
The new 18-21 Bee Bus ticket is here! 🙌
Enjoy 28 day’s of unlimited travel on #BeeNetwork buses for just £40. 🚌
Buy yours now on the Bee Network app with an 18-21 Pass ID.
“We know this is such an important time in a young person’s life as they look to go into further education or enter the world of work.
“Now as they explore the many opportunities available to them they will be able to use any Bee Network bus as much as they need to at half the price.”
Fatima Bangoura, who is the Youth Engagement Officer at Youth Leads, added: “The new 18-21 pass opens doors for those who may worry about losing that support once their Our Pass ends, making travel for training, apprenticeships, education and employment far more accessible.”
Georgina Pellant -
1st August 2022 
