MY PUB: The Oast House, Spinningfields, Manchester

The area between the River Irwell and Deansgate comprises 20 buildings with the New World Trading Company occupying space in the Avenue, Courtyard.

Here, general manager Danny Leach tells The Morning Advertiser all about the popular bar that hosts live music every day, festivals and has a food menu too.

The pub

The Oast House originally opened its doors as a pop-up in 2011, but after the locals took the bar to their hearts, the business made it long-term, cementing its place in the Manchester social scene. Since then, it’s become something of an institution.

Among the towers of Spinningfields, the Oast House offers a home from home with a real local pub feel. Our huge outdoor terrace, complete with fire pits and a stage for live music, is the place to be on a sunny day in the city.

The publican

Before moving to the Oast House, I worked at Revolution in Fallowfield, Manchester, while I was a student.

My career in hospitality really started when I realised I enjoyed going to work more than I enjoyed university – I knew the buzz of a lively bar was where I wanted to be.

I’ve been given free rein to run the Oast House in a way that works for me, and that’s by thinking big, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and aiming for world class entertainment. I’ve been running the site for six years now and I’m looking forward to the next six.

The trade

The Oast House is a city centre bar with a local pub feel. It’s a drinks-led venue – somewhere locals stop by for an after-work pint, friends use as a midweek meeting spot and groups gather to drink and dance the night away over the weekend.

The team

We have 50 front-of-house and 20 back-of-house staff.

The team is a real mix of ages and backgrounds, which is great for team spirit and camaraderie.

All team members are given opportunities to grow and develop within the business, which sets them up for a great career in the world of hospitality.

The drink

The bar is home to a huge selection of beers and ciders, from premium to craft options and while we do shake up classic cocktails, it tends to be a cold pint our customers are after while kicking back to some live music.

Our spritzes go down a treat on a summer’s afternoon on the terrace too.

The food

Our chefs have crafted a street-food style menu that complements the vibrant atmosphere of the place.

We serve loaded fries, stacked burgers and Greek-style gyros that guests can eat with their fingers over a beer while catching up with friends.

Anything goes at the Oast House and our guests want to relax and let their hair down – this isn’t the place for a sit-down meal.

The events

Music runs through Manchester’s veins and the Oast House is proud to support local home-grown talent from the north-west, offering live music to guests every weekend and providing a reliable spot for good times, whatever the occasion.

On the last weekend of every month and on bank holidays, we throw an all-day and night music festival, Manifest, which is completely free for customers. On a Manifest day the terrace is packed – it gets loud and lively.

Our huge winter teepee takes over the terrace throughout the colder months and the live music moves under cover, complete with firepits, faux fur, fairy lights, winter cocktails and plenty of mulled wine.

The future

Our plans are to build the Oast House brand further by really leaning into the authentic feel of the place and celebrating the fact that it’s such an institution in Manchester with no pretence and a real community feel.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to do what we do so well – serve up cold drinks, live music and good times.