Common Bar

Creative Tourist
Common Bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Ben Williams

Common is a favourite haunt of many in Manchester’s arts communities. The reason, essentially, is that everything they do is pretty forward-thinking. From their top selection of beer to their rotating art exhibition to their array of poetry nights, musical performances and arts workshops, the bar do innovation well.

Its overhaul, a few years ago, caused controversy, but Common’s artful look gets our vote. Fully retractable windows, a whole lot of plywood and bespoke ash tables, an open bar and bare brick walls have injected a little Scandi-style in to a bar once known for its street art-painted walls – and it makes the whole place feel really airy and spacious.

The interior is by local furniture and interiors designer, Peter Masters – also of Oi Polloi fame – while the ceramic fittings, those pale grey lampshades, coffee tampers and bespoke beer pump handles, have been made by Joe Hartley, whose solo exhibition at the Craft Centre a few years back first showed what he was made of. His work isn’t just architecture.

As for what matters most, the beer and the food, Common is doing great things. The kitchen is now the abode of Nell’s Pizza, serving up NYC inspired, MCR made pizzas by the whole 22″ pie or by the slice. Characterised by a thin, crisp base, and using only the best in British-led ingredients, it’s a treat, and a reasonably priced one if you head in at the right time; on weekdays until 4pm, any 14″ Nell’s Pizza can be yours for just £7.77.

As for the beer, there’s a constant rotation of independent gems, always including at least a few locals, from Cloudwater to Track. The cocktails are equally great, and you can pick these up for £6 all day on Mondays, and for three glorious hours every other day. What’s not to like?

39-47 Edge StreetManchesterM4 1HW View map
Telephone: 0161 832 9245 Visit Now

Admission Charges

Free

Services and Facilities

Food and drink. exhibitions, events

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 11:30pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 11:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 11:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Friday10:00am - 1:00am
  • Saturday10:00am - 1:00am
  • Sunday10:00am - 11:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Common Bar

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The Comedy Vault

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ActivityManchester
Beyond the Music 2024

Hear directly from the people powering the music industry in both Manchester and the UK, as well as witnessing some of the North’s upcoming talent at Beyond the Music.

from £16.75
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Bar Italia at Band on the Wall

One of London’s most hyped bands of the moment, Bar Italia are playing Band on the Wall in support of their acclaimed 2023 album, The Twits.

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Fair Play Festival 2024

Following two sold out festivals, Fair Play is back to take over the Northern Quarter with a day of live music in all its ‘alternative’ forms.

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Gaz Coombes at Band on the Wall

Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes performs live at Band on the Wall, following the release of his best album in 20 years, Turn The Car Around.

from £25
MusicManchester
EXTC at Band on the Wall

Terry Chambers, the original drummer from XTC, brings the revered band’s classic songs to Band on the Wall this July.

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