WHILE there’s no shortage of quirky music venues in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, few have the added appeal of being owned and run by working, professional musicians. Here to change that is Jimmy’s bar, which opened today on Newton Street.
The two brothers behind the venture are none other than One Night Only frontman and former Burberry model, George Craig, and his brother, Jimmy, former member of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong.
The neon-covered, retro rock-and-roll bar, that promises “good beer, good music and good times” was offering free coffee this morning, to celebrate their opening in Manchester’s independent music hub.
The venue will adopt a casual atmosphere and the owners are keen to welcome music students and upcoming local artists to come and perform.
Bar manager, Josh Leach, 26, said: “there’s much more to Jimmy’s than ‘lots of neon’. “It’s run by musicians for musicians; we give them a free venue to play at, and, in turn, they bring people down to our bar.”
Gigs will take place downstairs, in the dark, pub-style space; complete with band posters, Chesterfield sofas, and a classic pool table.
Although live performances will not be happening as frequently as they do at nearby venues such as Soup Kitchen, the Jimmy’s Northern Quarter team are eager to hold gigs for artists they consider to be particularly special: “We just want good music. We want anyone and everyone to come down. But, you know, we’re all leaning slightly towards guitars.” Said Josh.
Jimmy’s Northern Quarter plans to offer other entertainment alongside live music, with comedy nights, quizzes, and indie karaoke all in the pipeline.
Leach hinted that music fans might want to keep an eye out on Jimmy’s social media for some possible star-studded performances: “We are hoping to have some more special nights with some big names, but I can’t let anything slip just yet.” He said.
The decor, inspired by the creator of the neon art Bowie exhibition, Louis Sidoli, makes up for the bar’s arguable lack of exciting food choices.
“Everything else you see is designed by Chris at We Three Club, who works with artists like Royal Blood and Florence and The Machine on their album artwork,” Leach explains.
“Chris, George, and Jimmy just bounced ideas off each other to come up with the whole design and vibe of the place; to try and create something like an art piece, as a bar.”
Even those just popping in for a quick drink after work will be in for a treat, as there is vast range of keg beers, along with a Jack Daniels slush machine, and not to mention a selection of no-nonsense classic cocktails for £7.50 each.
Opening from 8:30am, Jimmy’s will also try to attract morning commuters with Yorkshire Tea and Charlatans frontman, Tim Burgess’ Tim Peaks coffee.
George’s girlfriend and beauty blogger, Megan Ellaby, who won the Best Fashion Influencer award last night at the British Fashion Awards, posted an image of herself on the venue’s pool table last week during a string of private parties that were held before today’s public opening.
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