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 smash-hit daytime rave where you can still be in bed early is returning to Manchester
Clementine Hall
That’s right: Day Fever, the daytime rave designed to still get you tucked in at a reasonable hour, is coming back to Manchester city centre this year.
Following their biggest raft of shows across the UK and Ireland in 2025, the smash-hit night out that is very much aimed at those of us 30 and over – but fellow sleepy heads are obviously more than welcome – Day Fever are targeting big things in 2026.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and Reverend & The Makers frontman, Jon McClure, Day Fever has become a cultural sensation.
From its debut in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm – and let’s be honest, who can blame them?
The founders (L-R): Jon McClure, James O’Hara, Jonny Owen, Vicky and Chris McClure. (supplied)
Running from 3-8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
“It started as a WhatsApp idea”, says Jon McClure. “Jonny just said, ‘A daytime disco, how good would that be?’ We’re all a bit nuts, so we just said, ‘Come on then!’”
“It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” laughs Vicky. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time.”
From here in 0161 and our mates over in Leeds, to Newcastle, Glasgow and many more, each Day Fever event has its own unique flavour.
There’ll be local DJs who know their crowds keep the energy high with a nostalgic mix of Northern Soul, disco, indie, and 90s classics. “Manchester goes mad for Oasis,” says Jon, “and if Vicky’s there, we have to play Whitney, it’s non-negotiable!”
For starters, just look at the turnout they got over Christmas:
They last popped up their second home of New Century Hall over the festive period, so it’s no surprise they’re coming back from.
Day Fever will be turning up the speakers at New Century once again on Saturday, 31 January, and we will absolutely see you there. Better still, the organisers have just announced additional shows due to phenomenal demand, including 7 March and 11 April here in Manchester.
Find the rest of their previously announced shows, as well as the extra dates for 2026, in full down below:
24 Jan, 28 February and 25 April – Glasgow, BAaD
24 Jan, 14 Feb and 21 March – Nottingham, Palais
24 Jan, 7 March and 4 April – Sheffield, City Hall
31 Jan, 7 March and 11 April – Manchester, New Century Hall
Parklife 2026 line-up announced, with headliners including Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Skepta, and Zara Larsson
Daisy Jackson
The line-up for Parklife 2026 has finally dropped, ahead of Manchester’s biggest festival – and this year will include headline performances from the likes of Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, and Skepta.
The huge music event will be back in the fields of Heaton Park next June, ready for two nights of live music from some of the biggest names in the world of dance music and beyond.
Joining those headliners on the line-up will be popstar of the moment Zara Larsson, who’ll be making her Parklife debut in 2026, plus returning Parklife heavyweights like Josh Baker, Chris Stussy, Kettama and Nia Archives, and dancefloor favourites Rudimental.
Along with the line-up, the festival has also announced a brand-new stage for this year, which will be called Panorama.
The stage will be building the festival’s Hangar Stage into a bold state-of-the-art experience, with cutting-edge production, on-stage/behind the booth access, a curved LED screen spanning the entire stage and multi-tiered dance platform.
Last year’s acclaimed new VIP area, with hillside views of the main stage, will return for 2026.
Parklife is also proudly the best-value major festival in the UK, with full weekend tickets from just £138.50 and day tickets just £85.
Leading the stacked line-up for Parklife 2026 is Calvin Harris, who’s back 13 years on from his last Manchester tour date to play his iconic dance bangers including One Kiss, We Found Love, This Is What You Came For. He’s collaborated with huge names over the years, so we’re holding out hope for some surprise guests during his set.
One of the biggest breakthrough names of the last 12 months is Sammy Virji, and he’ll be heading to Heaton Park in June.
Rap and grime pioneer Skepta is also poised to set Parklife alight this summer.
Manc DJ Josh Baker first played at Parklife in 2022, when he opened the G Stage – but now he’s got his sights set on the main stage just four years later, and is headlining an intimate show for War Child’s BRITs Week before then too.
There’s loads more names to enjoy this year too – performances from rising stars will include Marlon Hoffstadt, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, Rossi., Bou, Silva Bumpa, AZYR, Prospa, Morgan Seatree, Clementine Douglas, Chloé Caillet, K Motionz and Mozey.
And that’s alongside trailblazers such as Rudim3ntal, Ewan McVicar, Armand Van Helden, Andy C, Shy FX, Dimension and more.
Stage takeovers will come from XXL, Worried About Henry, Modern Funktion and Ghosts Of Garage.
Tickets for Pepsi MAX presents Parklife 2026 begin to go on sale on Tuesday 27 January with an exclusive presale for Paypal customers (for 48 hours or until the Paypal presale allocation sells out).
A second presale will be live from 10am on Thursday 29 January for those signed up to the Parklife mailing list, before full general sale tickets are released at 10am on Friday 30 January.
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
