Like many, we were gutted to see it go and relieved to see its sister site in Chorlton survive, but we’re now pleased to confirm that the former watering hole and food spot will be reborn as a new music venue and Irish-themed bar.
Set to be called Mother Mary’s, the former Font venue is set to burst back onto the Manc hospitality scene by mid-June.
The original bar was an absolute institution. (Credit: The Manc)
The venture, which is being headed up by nightlife veterans Greg Dwyer, Joseph Finegan and Chris Sharp, will see a complete refit with brand-new bars, a bespoke KV2 audio setup and a stunning lighting system that will illuminate two epic stages. The once familiar space is set to look rather different.
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With the two stages split across both floors, music is set to be at the very centre of Mother Mary’s business model; this isn’t just Font 2.0, it’s a whole new space built to spotlight live bands and wonderful performances whilst providing a platform for new and upcoming DJs and performers.
However, they’re still sticking to their food and drink roots, don’t you worry.
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Set to serve an impressive food menu headed up by Chef Andrew James and his Blackbird concept, as seen in Stockport, the residency at Mother Mary’s will see the menu feature all-day breakfasts, brunch, hearty Irish favourites and some American classics too.
Can’t go wrong.
Credit: Supplied/The Manc
When it comes to booze, they haven’t lost their touch over here either, promising a dedicated cocktail menu, not to mention some of Manchester’s best beers, wines, cities and craft ales.
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The menu will also pay homage to its history by serving a signature cocktail called ‘The Font’ with the ingredients and inspiration to change every three months, all for just £2 in a nod to the old gaff being one of the most affordable places to drink in town.
Mother Mary’s is also set to host a weekly event schedule including local and touring bands, curated entertainment, a jam-packed brunch every Saturday split across two floors, an open mic approach every Monday, stand-up comedy and more.
Greg, Joe and Chris have over 25 years of experience in hospitality, combined both with working in live music and concert promoting.
Greg has toured with some of the world’s biggest bands and worked with Manc nightclubs and music venues; Joe is instantly recognisable on the local music scene through his work with Gorilla, The Deaf Institute and South on some of their largest events, while Chris boats a similar background and pedigree.
This will always be a good place to boozeThe food menu at the original Font wasn’t too shabby eitherCredit: The Manc Eats
Dwyer said of the new project: “Mother Mary’s is all about providing a space for grassroots live music. I started going out around here, I was in here all the time and I was even fortunate enough to play records here a long time ago, so this is an unbelievable opportunity and to do it with two good friends that I’ve met along the way is incredible.
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“We’ll be taking good care of the former Font site. The three of us have a wealth of experience and a bunch of ideas to make this a sustainable live music venue. Our tagline for Mother Mary’s is strangely familiar: ‘We’re a home away from home’. The old Font Bar is there, it’s familiar but strangely different.”
Finegan added: “The Font Bar has been a staple on the Manchester bar scene for almost 20 years so to come into such an establishment was a daunting feat. We knew people would be coming in and saying I used to come here 15 years ago, ‘What have they done to the place?’
“We had to consider how to make quality changes that would matter to the customer. Mother Mary’s as a concept has a number of moving parts but still keeps the heritage of the bar utilising old antique furniture and paying homage to former traditions. We are super excited for the launch in June and to bring our vision to life.”
We, for one, are just excited to see what the team delivers and we’re just glad to see the old spot on New Wakefield Street not just reopen but reborn as something hopefully even bigger and better.
The UK’s much-loved ‘day rave’ with Vicky and Jon McClure returns to Manchester for New Year’s Eve
Thomas Melia
One of the UK’s most popular new club events and pioneering ‘day rave’ is returning to Manchester this New Year’s, featuring founders Jon and Vicky McClure, as well as some very special guests.
The Line of Duty star and Reverend and the Makers frontman started the parent-friendly event back in January of this year as an alternative day out for those looking to have a party and still manage an early bedtime. Since then it’s gone on to become a real phenomenon and is only getting bigger.
With Vicky swapping UK dramas and crime thrillers for the discotheque and ‘Big Jon’ switching lanes from his usual rock, indie and alternative roots to favour timeless dance tracks to still get people up on their feet, Day Fever has gone down a storm all over the country.
With their first year coming towards a close, they now look set for arguably their biggest day rave to date as Day Fever will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve for their final hurrah of 2024 right here in Manchester city centre – and no, you don’t need to be able to stay up until midnight.
The two McClures – unrelated, by the way, they just share a name and a fantastic taste in music – and the rest of their crew will be partying between 3-8pm for a much more tame and friendlier night (day) out, commanding the decks alongside some other special guests.
Not only does this alternative way to party promise a more responsible curfew, meaning clubbers don’t have to worry about missing the last train home but it’s also geared towards over 30s whilst still being super inclusive.
This day-time clubbing event is designed to reminisce on the old days and all those dance-filled memories of evenings spent out on the tiles, just minus the late-night finish – and hopefully the hangover but that’s down to you really, isn’t it?
In their words: ‘There’s no dress code, no egos—just pure positivity’; there’s nothing we love to hear more than the sweet relief of not having to get dolled up for a big night when we just can’t be bothered.
With New Century Hall hosting the Day Fever once again for their first-ever NYE party here in Manchester, along with two other events being held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, you can get all your partying done way with plenty of time to get cosy in bed before the calendar turns over.
Just in time to watch Jools Holland’s famous Annual Hootenanny, as they put it.
Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin CompstonVicky McClure leading the dance routines
This is guaranteed to be an evening to remember for everyone in attendance, especially when you’re joined by stars of stage and screen who will be powering you through with some proper dance bangers as they have done all year long.
The New Year’s Eve party isn’t just the last dance of the year either, it’s also effectively the prequel to next year’s raft of shows as Day Fever has already announced more than a dozen big dates in January and February.
This batch of 2025 dates sees the gang taking on lots of other cities, including North West neighbours Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull over in Yorkshire, two Newcastle shows and plenty more.
So, if you’re feeling those clubbing blues, that pesky seasonal affective disorder or just still not booked up for NYE 2024, why not make the most of this day-time opportunity?
Tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and the rest of their 2025 events are available on the official Day Fever website HERE.
Oh yeah, and help get Rev to Christmas number one – it’s for a good cause and they deserve it!
Sean Paul and Ashanti are hosting a massive Manchester show in 2025
Danny Jones
The one and only Sean Paul is coming to Manchester next year and we’re about to be smashing that buy ticket button it’ll be left sticking like glue.
A terrible pun, we know, we’re just very excited.
Better yet, he’s bringing a fantastic co-headliner along with him as fellow noughties and R’n’B throwback Ashanti will be sharing the stage too.
Landing at the AO Arena in spring 2025, they’ll be upping the ‘Temperature’ ahead of the summer and just in time for the festival season to start getting underway.
Having both enjoyed the scene for many years back in its 2000s heyday and each still boasting their own long-serving fan bases no matter how long it’s been, we wouldn’t think of this as a Sean Paul headline gig with a support act but two very special guests doing what they do best.
The Jamaican-born rap, reggae and dancehall artist as well as all-round popstar needs no introduction really but we’ll give him one anyway: you have to pronounce his name funny and he’s best known for countless club classics like ‘Got 2 Luv U’, ‘Get Busy’ and ‘Gimme The Light’, just to name a few.
Coming back to Manchester for basically a celebration of what many still revere as one of the golden eras for the genre will no doubt be an unbelievable night and playing the AO Arena after all this time is no mean feat.
General admission goes live from 10am, Friday 20 December but presale will be available for Three mobile users who want exclusive early access from Wednesday onwards from the same time.
The ‘Bring It’ Tour comes our way on 13 April 2025, with other dates including Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and a massive London show with Fat Joe joining too.
You can get ready to grab your tickets for Sean Paul and Ashanti’s AO Arena date HERE.
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
