Former Font Bar site reopens as new music venue and Irish bar

Mother Mary’s, a brand-new independent music venue and Irish bar has taken over the former Font Bar site.

The space has had a complete refit with brand-new bars, a bespoke KV2 sound system and a lighting system that illuminates two stages, which will play host to up-and-coming performers and DJs.

The venue also serves food, with the kitchen set to be headed up by Chef Andrew James with his ‘Blackbird’ concept. Andrew’s team boasts vast experience taking over venues and kitchens across the city, recently launching their own venue in Stockport.

Guests can tuck into all-day breakfasts, brunch, hearty Irish favourites and Sunday roasts, and enjoy drinks from a dedicated cocktail menu alongside a selection of local beers, wines and craft ales.

Paying homage to the history of the site’s former residents, the bar menu features a £2 cocktail called ‘The Font’ with the ingredients and inspiration to change every three months.

Mother Mary’s will host a weekly event schedule including local and touring bands, curated entertainment, brunch every Saturday split across two floors, a Mother Mary’s open stage every Monday, stand-up comedy and ‘some of the very best selectors from the city’.

The venture is being headed up by nightlife veterans Greg Dwyer, Joseph Finegan and Chris Sharp. The trio have over 25  year’s experience in hospitality combined both working in live music and concert promoting.

Speaking about the opening, Greg said: “Mother Mary’s is all about providing a space for grassroots live music. I started going out around here, I was in here all the time and I was even fortunate enough to play records here a long time ago, so this is an unbelievable opportunity and to do it with two good friends that I’ve met along the way is incredible.

“We will be taking good care of the former Font site. The three of us have a wealth of experience and a bunch of ideas to make this a sustainable live music venue. Our tagline for Mother Mary’s is strangely familiar: we are a home away from home. The old Font Bar is there, it’s familiar but strangely different. We went to great lengths to achieve this including several trips to the USA and Ireland with the aim of creating something instantly recognisable and most importantly, comfortable! We can’t wait to welcome guests, old and new as we open the doors to Mother Mary’s next month.”