One of Manchester’s best-loved and most long-standing bars, Font, has announced it is closing its doors for good.
The beloved institution on New Wakefield Street is famed for its bargain cocktails, which start from £1, and has been a favourite for local students for decades.
But devastatingly, the bar – which has survived the 2008 recession as well as all the horrible trappings and challenges of the pandemic – is set to close for good today.
Font announced the news to its legions of fans last night, and there are many. Just about anyone who’s been a student in Manchester will have fond memories of this colourful little bar.
They wrote that the cost of living crisis has taken an ‘insurmountable toll’ on the business and thanked everyone who’s passed through the doors over its 22-year reign.
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The Font Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Their post on Instagram read: “Farewell Font Manchester. With sorrowful hearts we regret to announce The Font Manchester is closing for business. Our last day will be tmrw eve, Sat 7th Jan, 4pm – 1am.
“Unfortunately the impact of COVID, followed by the cost of living crisis has taken an insurmountable toll and while this is tough news for sure, we feel comforted by the memories of the last 22 years and the countless awesome times we’ve had here!
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“Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to all our staff, customers and friends past & present, your support has meant the world.
“All bookings will be contacted in time. Plus if you have any remaining credit on your app you can still spend it at @thefontchorlton who will remain open.
“So friends, feel free to head over tmrw night, share your memories & raise a cocktail for dear Fonty.
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“From all of us at Team Font, we love & adore you xx.”
Speaking to The Manc late last year, Dan Rinaldi, general manager (who has worked at Font for 15 years) described what the bar scene in the city was like when it first opened in 2002.
The Font Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Font Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “The bar scene in Manchester was loads smaller. The Northern Quarter was maybe just Common, Trof had literally just opened, and maybe Odd? The Ancoats of now didn’t exist. The scene was so limited in some ways.”
Font found its niche in creative cocktails – dreamt up by the various bar staff who have worked here over the years – a fun atmosphere and its affordable prices.
Font Manchester’s final service will be today, Saturday 7 January.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
Manchester’s first banana pudding bar has opened in the city centre
Clementine Hall
Make sure to save room for pudding…because one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands has found a new home.
Buttercup launched last summer, creating little pots of the hit US dessert made famous by the iconic Magnolia Bakery.
Each dessert features vanilla custard whipped with cream, soft sponge, and fresh banana, which you can then customise with rotating flavours and toppings.
And after a brief disappearance from the Manchester foodie scene, Buttercup is back with a bang with their beautiful new home on Deansgate.
Images: The Manc Group
And when we say beautiful, we really mean it.
Glossy burgundy tiles, butter yellow walls and sleek chrome furniture make up the space beneath the huge arched window, and there’s even a few seats for you to enjoy your pud and watch the world go by.
Open daily from 10am til 10pm, the menu includes three puddings on rotation ready to scoop.
Images: The Manc Group
Choose from the classic banana, indulgent tiramisu and an ever-changing seasonal special, alongside a wall of toppings for you to customise your own pud.
Each recipe has been perfected in-house and the proof really is in the banana pudding…because it tastes just as good as it looks.
Since launching, Buttercup has served around 50,000 puddings, hosted sell-out pop-ups across the city, collaborated with some huge brands, and built a loyal following around its signature build-your-own pudding bar.
Image: The Manc Group
With this new standalone space, you’ll of course be able to indulge in its signature banana pudding, as well as breakfast yoghurt bowls, coffee and matcha.
Officially opening tomorrow Saturday 26 September, the first 50 customers will get a free topping and sauce with the purchase of any pudding, plus a free lip gloss from Manchester-born beauty brand REFY.
‘Remember to support genuine independents’ – Manchester’s rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe announces closure
Emily Sergeant
Rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe has called final orders on its time at popular city centre hangout, Side Street.
Serving some of the best rotisserie chicken in Manchester – ‘sexy chicken’, if you will – Tartuffe first landed at Side Street inside the ABC Building back in the later summer of 2024, and quickly became known and loved by critics and customers alike for not just their rotisserie options, but also their stylish bar snacks and standout sides.
But despite being a roaring success these past two years, Tartuffe took to social media this week to announce the end of the ‘longest pop-up ever’, with its final service being tomorrow (25 September).
Tartuffe will be leaving Side Street this Friday / Credit: The Manc Group
Announcing its closure on Instagram, Tartuffe wrote: “That’s right, our time at Side Street has come to an end and our final service here is this Friday.
“It’s been an incredible two and a half years cooking for the wonderful people of Manchester and we’re hugely thankful to everyone who’s been to see us whilst we’ve been here.
“Another big thanks to the staff at Side Street who we’ve loved working with. We’ve made some great friends and worked with some absolutely brilliant people.
Daisy Jackson -
7th January 2023 
