Mancunians are upset about the shock closure of The Font on New Wakefield Street – after 22 years in business.
The much-loved city centre bar, famed for its cheap and quirky cocktails, announced the closure in a statement on Facebook last night.
It wrote: “Farewell Font Manchester. With sorrowful hearts we regret to announce The Font Manchester is closing for business.
“Unfortunately the impact of COVID, followed by the cost of living crisis has taken an insurmountable toll.
“While this is tough news for sure, we feel comforted by the memories of the last 22 years and the countless awesome times we’ve had here!”
Mancunian Matters spoke with customers, old and new, about their favourite memories of The Font.
Alicia, 25, who runs a Manchester-based food blog on Instagram called @lifeinmanc, spent her student years in Manchester between 2015 and 2019.
She said: “The Font was an amazing and affordable bar right on our doorstep.”
The bar soon became a popular first date spot for Alicia. She has even credited The Font for past dating success, with one first date progressing into a relationship.
Alicia added: “The menu was massive. If you didn’t have anything to talk about you could just go through each drink ooo’ing and aaa’ing.”
The Font will be remembered for its affordable drinks and impressive cocktail menu. Alicia said it felt like “a 24/7 happy hour”, with over 30 cocktails to choose from, starting at just £3 each.
Vishal Chanda, a 24-year-old graduate from the University of Manchester, remembers getting “f****d on rum punch” at The Font in Freshers week with his soon-to-be best friends.
He said: “We stumbled out of there with stolen pirate hats.”
Many customers have taken to social media to voice their upset at the announcement.
Colleen Henshaw, 34, tweeted:
Colleen and her husband met in The Font in 2013.
She told Mancunian Matters: “We were both out with friends. He bought me one of their famous cocktails.
“Cut to ten years later and we are now married with a two-year-old. All thanks to the Font!”
The Font in Chorlton will remain open.
The Font, Manchester, will be open from 4pm to 1am tonight before closing its doors for the final time.
