Renae

Demi Sheridan, Editorial Assistant Last Updated 28 February 2025

Renae

Introducing Renae: A New Creative Hub for Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

This spring, the vibrant Northern Quarter will welcome Renae, a multi-concept venue on Thomas Street. Two long-time friends – who first met in 2010 on a dance floor (quite poetically) – brought their vision to life. Their love for the city’s thriving creative, cultural, and musical scene has taken a physical form. A place where artistry and hospitality merge, offering an inclusive and vibrant space for all.

A cosy daytime shop with an intimate bar that flows from day to night.

As Renae is a multi-concept venue, it will be opening in stages. First, the ground floor. This neighbourhood music-led bar promises a laid-back yet stylish space, blending a cosy daytime shop with an intimate bar that flows from day to night. Expect natural wines, cocktails and craft beers being served from Friday 28 March 2025.

With its main focus being to celebrate music culture, the ground floor will also be home to a carefully curated independent record and book shop. The shelves will be stocked by DJ and digger Patrick Ryder – from Manchester collective Talking Drums. There will be a mix of new releases from boutique record labels and a handpicked selection of second-hand records. Think popular classics, rare and sought-after records and promising future favourites, covering a wide range of musical genres and international influences.

A record shop, bar, music venue would not be complete without a bespoke DJ Booth, and Renae will have one as the room’s focus point. This booth will be decked out with Manchester’s only L-Acoustics Syva sound system – crafted by Soundhaus. You can guarantee that any music based event at this venue will sound amazing.

Providing something beyond the ordinary to curious minds.

Just in case all of the above wasn’t enough, there are plans for regular pop-up bookshops from 20k and a dead sheep, who provide something beyond the ordinary to curious minds. Showcasing zines and books that champion independent publishers, they’ll offer a wide collection from art & design, music, photography, to Japanese magazines and rare second-hand titles.

More to come and more floors to explore. But first check out Renae’s ground floor, opening on Friday 28 March 2025.

45-47 Thomas StreetManchesterM4 1NA View map

Visit Now

What's on near Renae

Until 18 Aug

ComedyManchester

The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry

Until 20 Apr

ExhibitionsManchester

Shadow and Void: Buddha10 at esea contemporary

‘Shadow and Void: Buddha10’ combines historic Buddhist sculptures with contemporary, multisensory artworks that offer a space for reflection

free entry

11 Mar

MusicManchester

The Weather Station at Band on the Wall

In support of The Weather Station’s new album, Humanhood, Tamara Lindeman and her band perform at Band on the Wall.

from £19

28 May

MusicLeeds

Moin at Band on the Wall

Rock-informed, techno-adjacent musical collagists Moin perform at Band on the Wall this spring.

from £16.50

Until 23 Jul 2026

ActivityManchester

Folk and World Choir at Band on the Wall

Band on the Wall bring people together to make, as well as watch, music. Join them to learn folk tunes from all over the world.

Until 21 Aug

ComedyManchester

Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00

6 Mar

MusicManchester

Kelly Lee Owens at New Century

On the back of her critically acclaimed fourth album, Dreamstate, Kelly Lee Owens brings her dreampoppy electronica to New Century.

from £28

Until 29 Apr

ActivityAncoats

School of Comedy at the Frog and Bucket

Try your hand at stand up comedy with an eight week intensive course with Dave Williams in the Frog and Bucket’s School of Comedy.

from £300.00

See all events

Where to go near Renae

Manchester

Restaurant

The Smithfield Social

The Smithfield Social is a charming Northern Quarter destination owned by local lad Liam Fray of Courteeners fame, offering brunch, lunch and a wide selection of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

Terrace NQ

Late night Northern Quarter bar

Manchester

Bar or Pub

Cane & Grain

Essentially three bars under one roof, Cane & Grain encompasses a rib joint and tap room, hidden speakeasy, and Tiki-themed Liar’s Lounge.

Manchester

Shopping Centre

Smithfield Market

The neo-Romanesque arches of this former wholesale food market still stand as a reminder to the Northern Quarter’s mercantile past.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

The Bay Horse Tavern

The Bay Horse Tavern is a laid-back pub based in the dead centre of the Northern Quarter, with a wide range of drinks and food options.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

Fierce Bar

Highly-rated bar based in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, seconds away from Common.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

57 Thomas Street

57 Thomas Street is the third outlet belonging to Manchester’s best-known microbrewery, Marble Beers. Unlike the lavish decoration of the Grade II-listed Marble Arch (which also doubles up as a brewery) or the traditional pub layout of the Marble Beer House in Chorlton, this tiny Thomas Street digs has room for just two things: beer and food.

Northern Quarter

Deadstock General Store

This small shop has a well-curated range of stock that focuses on vintage homeware and gifts. From Japanese hemp socks to botanical paperweights and HAWS plant misters, each object is beautiful, practical and well made.

Manchester

Shop

Rivet and Hide Manchester

Manchester’s newest destination for denimheads, Rivet and Hide stocks a collection of quality, Americana-inspired men’s casual wear and raw selvedge denim – including prized Japanese brands like Momotaro, The Flat Head, and Pure Blue Japan.

Manchester

Gallery

Richard Goodall Gallery

There’s no better place in the country to find and buy examples of music-oriented illustration and photography than the Richard Goodall Gallery

Manchester

Shop

NOTE Thomas Street

The sister store to NOTE’s original Tib Street branch, here you’ll find footware, clothes and brands inspired by the skateboard scene. If it’s a new board you’re after, head to Tib Street.

Manchester

Bar or Pub

Common Bar

Northern Quarter stalwart Common Bar in Manchester serves excellent pub food, fine cocktails and decent coffee. It’s a firm Creative Tourist team favourite.

See all places

Manchester District Guides

Ancoats & New Islington

Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city’s most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.

Canal Street, Manchester

Manchester’s picturesque Canal Street and its surroundings constitute what is reputedly the oldest gay village in the country.

Chapel Street, Salford

Chapel Street has the different counter-cultural feel of another city: still industrial, more casual, temporal. Here’s what the area has to offer.

Levenshulme, Manchester

From cultural points of interest to unique watering holes, explore what Levenshulme has to offer in our guide.

Tib Street, Manchester

It’s not often that you find a street you could while away a whole day on: from beautifully made coffee in the morning, through to shopping, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner…

Cheetham Hill, Manchester

Cheetham Hill gets a bad rap as an area, however as you begin to look round you will find it has plenty to do. Let us be your guide.

Chorlton, Manchester

Chorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only 10-odd minutes away by tram). A sprawling hive of artisan coffee shops, boutique clothing stores,…

Culture Guides

Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Food and Drink in the North

Not long now, spring is on its way but wave goodbye to winter with some of the North's best food and drink.

Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island

Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.