Manchester family brewers, JW Lees, officially opened the doors on Founder’s Hall, Albert Square, last night. The redevelopment takes JW Lees forward and brings the people of Manchester a space to experience the vast line up of the brewery’s beers all in one place, as well as creating 25 new jobs.
Located in Albert Square, Manchester, in the shadow of the work-in-progress Manchester Town Hall, replacing the former duttons Manchester site which opened 10 years ago, Founder’s Hall has a unique but familiar feel and will be a place to meet, eat and drink. With the Brewery at the heart of the business, paying homage to their Founder, John Lees and nearly 200 years of brewing history, Founder’s Hall is a shrine to JW Lees beers, showcasing a vast range of cask ales, craft lagers, traditional brews and small batch Boilerhouse beers.
JW Lees wanted to shout about its heritage, so the décor reflects this and the beers are the heroes – customers will be able to enjoy tasting flights and beer cocktails and the team are knowledgeable in JW Lees beers to create a more immersive experience. Service style will be hands-off, akin to a pub rather than a bar, whereby ordering is done at the bar and customers are welcome to sit, eat and drink where they are most comfortable.
The external area will be extended and feel comfortable enough to attract diners as well as drinkers and, when the weather allows, the bi-folding patio doors open to create a real ‘outside / inside’ experience. The whole site will also be flexible in order to accommodate extra footfall that will be generated by large events on Albert Square in the future.
The menu features nibbles, bar snacks and small plates perfect for pairing with a few pints or sampling something new with beer flights. The main event is the individually hand-crafted pies made on site and packed full of flavour, as well as some JW Lees pub favourites, best of the season dishes and a cracking Sunday roast with unlimited Yorkshire puddings and gravy.
Whether Manchester is pouring with rain or the sun is shining on the square, this is a space to catch up with friends, enjoy your favourite beers, cocktails or a few glasses of wine and drink up the atmosphere. From late February a calendar of weekly and monthly events will start rolling out including quiz nights and ambient DJ evenings, to give city centre workers a place to relax and enjoy after a long working week and a venue to enjoy throughout the weekend.
