If you were paying attention in the Wayne’s World movies you probably picked up on Wayne and Garth’s favourite nocturnal hangout (diner aside): The Gasworks. Never to be outdone, Manchester opened its own Gasworks Brew Bar a few years back, in the heart of the redeveloped First Street area, and switched the focus from riffs and power chords to shuffleboard and hoppy brews. Named after the old Gaythorn Gas Works that once occupied this site, despite the glass and steel building itself the design of this place is fittingly industrial given the heritage, with cogs, pipework and minimalist timber defining the decor.
When The Gasworks Brew Bar opened, brewery bars were in shorter supply around Manchester than they are today, but the ongoing success, evident in the longevity of this address, is down to how good the beers are. In addition to those made here, the team are also highly skilled in tracking down some of the best independent breweries out there, essentially making for a staggering range of IPAs on tap, old school casks, lagers, pilsners, stouts and much more. All the better for working up an appetite, with food available daily.
Rather than doing their own thing, The Gasworks is more about inviting some of the finest culinary vendors in Manchester out for a pint (or three). This means the kitchen is regularly changing, but at the time of writing it was the excellent Thief Street chicken and waffle specialist. In the past, Charlie Macs Corn Dogs, and alternative sandwich experts Mira have all been involved, although the list could go on much longer. As we mentioned before, in addition to keeping you fed and watered, this place also made a name for itself as the shuffleboard bar, and was the first in the city to introduce full-size, 22ft boards. More recently, interactive dart boards have also been installed, adding to the fun.