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.
Ticketmaster agrees to change ticketing procedures following Oasis dynamic pricing controversy
Emily Sergeant
Ticketmaster has agreed to change its ticketing procedures following the ‘dynamic pricing’ controversy over Oasis reunion tour tickets.
After a lengthy investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has secured formal commitments from Ticketmaster, known as ‘undertakings’, to make sure fans have the information they need when they spend their hard-earned cash to see the artists they love.
The leading ticketing platform will now be required to make it clear to fans what they will get for their money, and give more information about different ticket prices.
These undertakings require Ticketmaster to tell fans 24-hours in advance if a tiered pricing, or dynamic pricing, system is being used, and provide more information about ticket prices during online queues, helping fans anticipate how much they might have to pay.
Ticketmaster will also now have to ensure that tickets are described accurately, and do not give the impression that one ticket is ‘better’ than another when that is not the case.
We’ve secured undertakings from #Ticketmaster to provide customers with more pricing information + make sure ticket descriptions are clear.
And finally, the ticketing platform will have to provide regular reports to the CMA to show how it has implemented the undertakings.
As mentioned, the CMA investigation comes following widespread concerns about the Oasis Live ’25 tickets sale.
Two areas were identified as needing investigating following the sale.
The first being that Ticketmaster did not tell fans waiting in lengthy queues that standing tickets were being sold at two different prices, and that prices would jump as soon as the cheap tickets sold out.
The second being that Ticketmaster sold some ‘platinum’ tickets at almost 2.5 times the price of ‘standard’ tickets, and all without sufficient explanation that these offered no additional benefits over some ‘standard’ tickets in the same areas of the venue.
Ticketmaster has agreed to change its ticketing procedures following the Oasis dynamic pricing controversy / Credit: The Manc Group
“Fans who spend their hard-earned money to see artists they love deserve to see clear, accurate information upfront,” explained Sarah Cardell, who is the Chief Executive of the CMA.
“We can’t ensure every fan gets a ticket for events as popular as the Oasis tour, but we can help ensure that next time an event like this comes along, fans have the information they need, when they need it – and the changes we’ve secured will give fans more information about prices and clear descriptions of exactly what they are getting for their money.
“If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won’t hesitate to take further action.”
Featured Image – Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
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Tame Impala announces massive Manchester gig on new tour
Clementine Hall
Tame Impala is heading out on a huge arena tour, with a massive gig right here in Manchester.
Oh Kevin, it really is great to have you back.
In just a few weeks on Friday 17 October, Tame Impala (Kevin Parker) will release his fifth studio album titled ‘Deadbeat’.
And today, he’s announced a major European and UK tour to go alongside it.
The dates kick off in Porto, Portugal on Saturday 4 April and wrap in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday 13 of May.
He’ll be stopping off in Manchester near the end of the tour, bringing his synth sounds to the Co-op Live Arena on Friday 8 May.
Image: Publicity Picture
As well as a show at the Co-op Live in Manchester, Tame Impala will perform in London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Kevin Parker has emerged as one of the most influential voices of the last decade, renowned for carving out a distinct sound all of his own and transcending genre-bending sonic landscapes.
Playing every instrument and acting as writer, producer, mixer and engineer on his projects, it’s not hard to see why he’s been nominated for four GRAMMY awards with one win for his collaboration with Justice on 2024’s “Neverender.” In his home country of Australia, he’s racked up an impressive 13 ARIA Awards and 27 Nominations.
Artist pre-sale begins Wednesday 1 October at 9am BST with the general on-sale taking place on Friday 3 October at 9am BST and you can buy yours HERE.
Tame Impala Deadbeat Tour 2026:
4th Apr – Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota – Porto, Portugal
5th Apr – MEO Arena – Lisbon, Portugal
7th Apr – Movistar Arena – Madrid, Spain
8th Apr – Palau Sant Jordi – Barcelona, Spain
10th Apr – LDLC Arena – Lyon, France
12th Apr – Inalpi Arena – Turin, Italy
13th Apr – Unipol Arena – Bologna, Italy
14th Apr – Hallenstadion – Zurich, Switzerland
16th Apr – Olympiahalle – Munich, Germany
18th Apr – PreZero Arena – Gliwice, Poland
20th Apr – O2 Arena – Prague, Czechia
23rd Apr – Barclays Arena – Hamburg, Germany
25th Apr – Royal Arena – Copenhagen, Denmark
26th Apr – Avicii Arena – Stockholm, Sweden
27th Apr – Unity Arena – Oslo, Norway
29th Apr – Uber Arena – Berlin, Germany
30th Apr – Festhalle – Frankfurt, Germany
1st May – PSD Bank Dome – Dusseldorf, Germany
3rd May – Accor Arena – Paris, France
4th May – Ziggo Dome – Amsterdam, Netherlands
5th May – AFAS Dome – Antwerp, Belgium
7th May – The O2 – London, United Kingdom
8th May – Co-op Live Arena – Manchester, United Kingdom
9th May – Utilita Arena Birmingham – Birmingham, United Kingdom
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
