It has been described as a ‘fantastic pub overlooking the canal’
Rain Bar is located just a short distance from Oxford Road station(Image: Rain Bar)
A Manchester pub more commonly associated with a gloomier type of weather has been praised for being perfect for sunny days with its waterside views.
Housed in a former Victorian warehouse, Rain Bar, on Great Bridgewater Street, first opened its doors in 1999. 26 years on, the pub, which is located in-between Oxford Road station and the Bridgewater Hall, has remained a popular drinking spot for visitors and locals.
But before it was a pub, the J.W. Lees establishment was also home to an umbrella factory that was vital in producing accessories that kept Mancunians protected from the elements.
Now, it stands as an award-winning venue – earning multiple accolades for its service and its beer garden, which overlooks the Rochdale Canal and the back of the original Hacienda building.
The Rochdale Canal connects Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, and runs for 32 miles across the Pennines. It is often frequented by leisure boaters throughout the year, although consultation is usually required from the Canal & River Trust to travel alongside it due to navigation restrictions.
Rain Bar is home to one of the biggest outdoor drinking spots in the city centre(Image: Rain Bar)
Rain Bar’s beer garden is also regarded as one of the largest outside drinking areas in the city centre, with its large patio space often becoming very busy with punters during sunny periods.
The beer garden has previously been named one of the best in central Manchester, and has also earned the title of Best Outdoor Terrace in the past. It is regularly on many best beer garden lists for Manchester.
Commenting on the outside space, one recent customer left a review online to say: “A very pleasant and comfortable place in Manchester for a quick beer, to sit outside and enjoy the peace and quiet. No cars pass by. It’s right on the canal and is mainly frequented by locals.”
Rain Bar also has a number of very cosy spots inside(Image: Rain Bar)
Another said: “Being able to sit outside, overlooking the canal amongst some really beautiful buildings was an absolute treat!” Another said: “Fantastic pub overlooking the canal. Never been here before but a nice oasis near Oxford Road station.”
Inside, the bar has three themed areas with the front area focusing on mature draught ales and craft lagers. The back bar will serve up a good variety of gins, rums and spirits, whilst the cellar is kept for ‘real wine, not just pub wine’.
The beer garden at Rain Bar is extremely popular during the sunnier months(Image: Rain Bar)
Its food menu consists of sharing plates and pub favourites, including classic fish and chips, sausage and mash, braised lamb shank, and even the legendary Brewery Tower Burger – made up of two beef patties, BBQ pulled beef brisket, dill pickle, dry-cured bacon, burger relish and Monterey Jack cheese.
A couple of years ago, the venue underwent a huge £700,000 renovation with the intention of positioning it as a ‘premium pub restaurant’ The refurb featured a revamped centrepiece bar with nods to its industrial roots alongside an L.S. Lowry-inspired pictorial sign.
William Lees-Jones, Managing Director at JW Lees, said in 2023: ‘We first opened Rain Bar in 1999 when it was welcomed into Manchester’s growing hospitality trade, winning The Publican Award in 2000 for the best new pub/bar in the UK and Manchester’s City Life award for the best beer garden in central Manchester.”
Rain Bar is on 80 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5JG.