This spring, Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter will welcome renae, a multi-concept venue set to redefine community spaces on Thomas Street. Born from the shared vision of two long-time friends who first met on a dance floor in 2010, renae is a love letter to the city’s thriving creative, cultural, and musical scenes. It’s a place where hospitality and artistry collide, designed to offer an inclusive and vibrant space for locals and visitors alike.
Opening in stages, renae begins its journey with the launch of its ground-floor neighbourhood music-led bar on Friday 28th March 2025. This laid-back yet stylish space will blend a cosy daytime shop with an intimate bar that flows from day into night, serving craft beers, natural wines, and cocktails at accessible prices.
At its heart, renae celebrates music culture with a carefully curated independent record and book shop on the ground floor. DJ and digger Patrick Ryder from Manchester collective Talking Drums, and formerly of Piccadilly Records, will be stocking the finest new releases from boutique labels alongside a second-hand selection of crowd pleasing classics, in-demand rarities and future favourites selected from all corners of both the globe and musical map.
Regular book pop-up shop will also come from 20k and a dead sheep, showcasing zines and books that champion independent publishers for curious minds seeking something beyond the ordinary. Offering a wide collection from art & design, music, photography, to Japanese magazines and rare second-hand titles. The first 20k and a dead sheep at renae will take place across the opening weekend, on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March.
Taking centre stage in the room will be a bespoke DJ booth and Manchester’s only L-Acoustics Syva sound system, crafted by Manchester’s leading sound designer Soundhaus, designed to create a smooth experience, both for the artists and listeners. Whether it’s a laid-back afternoon set or a lively evening sound, the space will be powered by sound quality that rivals the city’s best music venues.
Later in 2025, renae will introduce its event and workshop space on the first floor. This adaptable area will host everything from yoga classes and rehearsals, to exhibitions, live gigs and club nights, fostering a hub for the city’s local talents. The second floor will complete the vision with a creative workspace featuring hot desks, meeting rooms, and a podcast studio, offering a haven for Manchester’s creative professionals.
Music lies at the very core of renae, reflected not only in its eclectic programming but also in its cutting-edge sound design, which will extend across its ground-floor’s bar and first floor’s events space. From intimate performances to live gigs and club nights, renae is committed to delivering an auditory experience that’s as thoughtful as its community-focused ethos.
Co-founders Harris Mouridis and Brad Parkins are no strangers to Manchester’s nightlife and hospitality scenes. Harris is a respected figure in the city’s underground music culture, regularly playing records at independent institutions like Eastern Bloc, as well as further afield at renowned venues such as The Golden Lion in Todmorden and Michelberger in Berlin. His deep-rooted connection to music is matched by his operational expertise, having been a driving force behind some of the Northern Quarter’s most celebrated venues, including Common, Trof NQ, Evelyn’s, Daisy, and Public.
Brad’s influence in the city’s hospitality is equally impressive. As the visionary behind enduring Northern Quarter staple like The Whiskey Jar, he’s built spaces that have become fixtures in the city’s hospitality. At The Whiskey Jar, Brad also curated and hosted nights which had featured some of dance music’s finest including Ben Klock, Prosumer, Ryan Elliott, Mr G, Steffi, and more. Together, the duo are channelling their extensive experience and shared passion for music and culture into renae, creating a space that resonates with Manchester’s creative pulse.
Commenting on the new venue, co-founders Harris Mouridis and Brad Parkins, said: “renae is about more than just music or hospitality – it’s about connection, culture, and creating a home for Manchester’s community to thrive. This is a project from the heart, built on years of friendship and a shared love of the scene. While music is at the core of everything we do, this isn’t a listening bar – it’s a space to experience music together, and a place for people to move and dance to it.”
With its bold concept, cutting-edge sound, and an ethos of inclusivity and creativity, renae is set to make its mark on Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Launching this March, the music-led bar will showcase a diverse programming – from jazz nights and ambient sessions, to album launches, label parties, music workshops, plus resident and guest DJs on rotation.
Complementing the venue’s welcoming environment, local designer Helena Harrison of Beam Interiors has thoughtfully designed the space with a warm interior to create an inviting atmosphere. Inspired by Japanese mid-century design, renae blends mismatched families of furnishings, aged rugs, and modernist silhouettes to create a relaxed, uncontrived feel. Warm wood tones contrast with muted teal and red, while materials like cork enhance the venue’s acoustics. At the heart of the space, a striking wall of handmade acoustic diffusers mirroring rows of vinyl reinforces music as the venue’s true centrepiece.
renae will open seven days a week, from Friday 28th March 2025, from midday until late. The daytime shop will be open until 4pm, while the music-led bar continues into the evening with DJs on rotation.
Follow @renae.mcr on Instagram and sign up at www.renae.co for the latest updates, and find out what’s on.
