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.
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!
“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.
“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
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised
Daisy Jackson
The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.
With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).
And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.
But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.
With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).
Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.
Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.
There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.
Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Daisy Jackson -
7th January 2023 
