Eats

Legendary Northern Quarter bar Trof reopens as a classic pub and dining room

'A pub truly for Manchester’s people'

Daisy Jackson - 29th April 2026

Trof is one of the Northern Quarter’s finest offerings, and has been ever since it launched in the early 2000s – but the times are a-changing.

Trof has now revealed a brand-new era, reopening as a classic pub and dining room, complete with refreshed interiors and a new food offering.

Now operating as The Trof, the latest era comes from the team behind acclaimed Manchester restaurant Stow.

The Trof is a classic pub right in the heart of the Northern Quarter, serving a menu of British pub classics that will showcase top local produce.

That’s alongside a considered wine list, and a range of cask ales from Thornbridge across in the Peak District.

Expect mains like ox cheek pie with Ratte potato mash, a classic beef burger in a milk bun, and a pork collar with cabbage and bacon, chased by proper puds like a sticky toffee pudding, and a pistachio and cherry Bakewell tart.

And there’ll be proper roasts on Sundays, with quality joints of beef rump, porchetta, chicken, and Knutsford roast lamb from Littlewoods, served family-style and accompanied by all the trimmings.

The menu and drinks offering is a real nod to co-owner Jamie Pickles’ Peak District upbringing.

Everyone in Manchester’s got a Trof story, whether it’s first dates or regular after-work pints, and The Trof hopes to continue being a space for both drinkers and diners.

Inside, the space has had a refurb that accentuates the building’s character, while evoking the cosiness of a local pub, with pine wood features and flooring, a centrepiece bar, and even a piano.

The building itself dates way back to the 1880s, but was opened as a neighbourhood bar in the early 2000s by the legendary Adelaide Winter and Joel Wilkinson (Firehouse, Ramona, Schloss) before being purchased from Mission Mars by co-owner Matt Nellany in 2022.

Matt and Jamie joined forces at Trof the following year, before launching Stow.

And now they’re realising their long-held dream of refurbing and relaunching this iconic Northern Quarter venue.

Matt Nellany, co-owner and landlord of The Trof said of the change: “It’s nerve wracking to make such a big change to a venue which is so significant to so many people!

“Ask anyone in Manchester and they’ll have a Trof story – we seem to have hosted a LOT of first dates here over the years – but we felt that it was time for the next chapter in this beautiful building’s history.

“We love pubs, and we’ve always wanted to do that elegant, city centre pub which you see so much across London – being able to do that with fabulous northern produce including cask ales from Thornbridge and meats from Marcus at Littlewoods right in the heart of the Northern Quarter is a privilege we will take very seriously!”

Jamie – co-owner and heading up the food said: “The Trof sits right in the heart of what was Manchester’s market district and hopefully the menu pays homage to that – fabulous veg, great quality meat, excellent bar snacks – all served with well cellared cask ale and a great wine list – this will be a pub truly for Manchester’s people and we can’t wait to get it open.”

The Trof will reopen at midday on Friday 1 May, with space for walk-ins plus reservations for the dining room.

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Featured image: Supplied