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Iconic live music bar Jimmy’s Manchester to open new home next Friday

The venue is getting a new lease of life in Cutting Room Square.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th August 2021

One of Manchester’s iconic live rock music bars Jimmy’s is “buzzing” to finally be opening at its new location next week.

The independent bar and gig venue was forced to move out of its old Northern Quarter site back in December 2019 to make way for an office development, but will open doors to its new home next Friday.

Jimmy’s has moved to a “beautiful red-brick building” on the corner of Cutting Room Square in the historic heart of Ancoats.

Credit: Jimmy’s Manchester

Set over two floors with outdoor dining and drinking, owners George and Jimmy Craig have reassured fans that the new venue will continue to be the go-to place for an authentic rock ‘n’ roll musical atmosphere in Manchester.

Original details will also be taken from the old Northern Quarter site and positioned pride of place around the new venue.

A restaurant floor area has been installed alongside the main bar – which fans may recognise resembles other Jimmy’s venues in Liverpool and York.

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Before sadly having to close doors in the Northern Quarter back in December 2019, Jimmy’s had become renowned for its late-night music, live gigs, and even welcomed a DJ set from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

It also has its own range of branded beer, which was produced in partnership with Manchester brewery Joseph Holt.

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Credit: Jimmy’s Manchester

The new Jimmy’s Manchester will be opening doors at 8pm on Friday 13 August.

On Saturday 14 August, the venue will be opening from 10am for ‘Jimmy’s Famous Bottomless Brunch’ – which is served until 3pm – followed by a ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll BBQ’ from 5pm until late.

On Sunday 15 August, Jimmy’s will be “starting the day in style” by serving a Sunday Roast menu from 12pm-6pm, with drinks served until late.

Food bookings are essential across opening weekend, but drinks tables operate on a walk-in basis only.

Head on over to the Jimmy’s website to make a booking.

Featured Image – Jimmy’s Manchester

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Bright Eyes are heading back to Manchester on their new UK and European tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bright Eyes Manchester gig tickets

Beloved indie veterans Bright Eyes are coming back to Manchester for the first time in more than three years as part of a brand new UK and European tour.

Formed back in 1995, the Omaha outfit has remained a cult favourite among music lovers all over the world, exciting fans with their latest comeback after an 11-year hiatus in 2020.

However, the Nebraska band have struggled with touring issues ever since, having to postpone a raft of shows during Covid and even after the pandemic was over, they had to cancel the remainder of their 2024 shows back following frontman Conor Oberst’s persistent vocal issues.

Bright Eyes confirmed that the lead singer had “developed a condition that is exacerbated by excessive singing” back in September, but with their new album finally out Oberst and co. are crossing back over the Atlantic to pick up where they left off.

Releasing their fifth studio LP Five Dice All Threes towards the end of last year – their first new outing in half a decade – the long-standing group have already got back on the road in North America and are due to land in the UK this summer.

Kicking off a run of 16 continental dates at Rock City in Nottingham, Bright Eyes arrive in Manchester on Saturday, 21 June and are set to play the legendary Albert Hall – a venue singer-songwriter Oberst himself played as a solo act back in 2017.

The last Manc venue they played was the equally iconic O2 Apollo back in 2022 and while they might have been away for a hot minute, their die-hard fandom hasn’t gone anywhere.

As for the new self-produced record itself (recorded at Obert and Mike Mogis hometown studio), its been described as capturing an “uncommon intensity and tenderness, communal exorcism and personal excavation.”

Bascially, if you like the usual emotional introspection Bright Eyes deliver, this is more of it.

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Tickets for their Manchester gig go on sale this Friday, 24 January at 10am and we hope they bring all the ‘Bells and Whistles’.

You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group

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Freight Island is hosting the UK’s biggest Six Nations fan zone

Danny Jones Danny Jones Watch the Six Nations rugby at Freight Island Manchester

Freight Island’s Six Nations fan zone returns for 2025 at the end of this month and we’re so ready for seven weeks of rugby action and a river of Guinness.

The iconic international tournament gets underway on 31 January and so too does Freight Island’s fantastic fan experience, providing an unparalleled level of excitement beyond being inside the stadium.

Set to be even bigger and better than last year, it’s the largest of its kind anywhere in the country because, well, as well as know, Manchester sports fans do it better than anyone.

Promising everything from free pints and prosecco for ticket holders, live music, top-notch scran from Freight’s in-house vendors and more, it’s going to be another year to remember.

six nations fan zones uk
six nations manchester city centre
The Freight Island Six Nations fan zone is back for 2025. (Credit: Supplied)

Fuel for the sporting action

Launching in time for the first game between France and Wales on the final Friday of the month, the Freight Island Six Nations fan zone will be open for the full duration of the competition, showing all 15 fixtures across a seven-week period.

With the final not until Saturday, 15 March, you’ve got plenty of time to sample all the massive Manchester venue has to offer this year. Speaking of..

As well as a steady supply of drinks including a self-service Guinness machine, punters will be eligible for a free pint of Freight Island pilsner or a glass of Prosecco with their ticket.

To make things even sweeter, as well as the usual foodie favourites such as Fuku, Mia’s Arepas, Burgerism, Voodoo Ray’s; Mega Gyros, Oh! My Cheesecake and Soft Boi, Scouse chicken connoisseurs Pattersons are launching their brand new ‘American Buffet’. We’re talking proper game-day food.

Every Sunday, they’ll be serving up half-chickens brined and deep fried in their special spice mix, or a vegetarian nut roast, plus an all-you-can-eat sides including sweet potato, corn salsa, tater tots, cheesy grits, home-made corn bread and their famous gravy, all for £18 per tray

You can ever pre-order a full bird ahead of time if you like – consider this the Six Nations answer to Super Bowl-level feasting.

freight island fan zone sports
pattersons chicken manchester
Credit: Freight Island/Patterson’s (supplied)

Entertainment on and off the pitch

But isn’t all food and drink, of course: Freight Island will also be making sure to keep the energy high no matter what’s going on in the matches with DJs, music from live bands, as well pre and post-match content for you to enjoy. Let us explain.

In addition to sets by the likes of singer-songwriter Neeva Zahra, Paul Eden and other special guests, but they’re also be performances by the Pent Up Pipes band and Dizzy Brasscals to really get the atmosphere going.

Crowd interaction is essential to making these fan zones work, so if bagpipes and a brass band doesn’t get you hyped as the six sporting-mad continental countries go head-to-head for European glory, we don’t what will.

Freight Island have also partnered with The EggChasers rugby union podcast, who will be delivering podcasts live from the building, as well as fan content before and after the whistle, meaning you can also get involved if you fancy yourself an armchair expert.

Dizzy Brasscals Manchester
Dizzy Brasscals is the best band name we’ve heard in ages. (Credit: Supplied)

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Once again, the tournament last for a good month and a half, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy all of the above, as well as all the live rugby on the multiple screens dotted around the venue – including one very big one.

Freight Island opening hours during the Six Nations and throughout February and March are Friday (4pm-12am), Saturday (12pm-12am), and Sunday (12-8pm).

You can book your free tickets HERE and we’ll no doubt see plenty of you there.

Meanwhile over in rugby league, local side Salford Red Devils have found themself in a less than ideal position ahead of the new season after being hit with a new sustainability cap.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied via Freight Island)

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