Rain Bar

Another great lunch time trip to Rain Bar with a large group from work. This time I went for the bbq pulled beef brisket on flatbread, which comes with chips. It was awesome. The beef was packed with flavour and the flatbread with a hint of garlic. Yum. Service was really quick — table of 9 and food came out within 15 mins of ordering.

Love love LOVE rain bar. Its a great summer time bar a short walk from Bridgewater Hall and Deansgate station– handy for non drivers.
The drinks here are really reasonably priced and always helpful with what to choose when you just don’t know!
I’ve come here a few times for celebrations in big groups and they’ve always been up for a laugh no problem with big groups!
The food isn’t too bad here either, on Tuesday we came here after Graduation celebrations and had the salt and pepper squid and the tikka chicken bites. Both of which were really tasty and came with little dipping sauces.
Its great for summer drinks as there’s a huge beer garden overlooking the canal at the back.

Rain Bar on a Monday night in January was extremely quiet and, in comparison with the bustling Briton’s Protection a few doors down, not the most convivial place to drink but it’s still pretty nice and I think they have ales from local breweries. I accidentally order tequila-​aromatised beer, which was an error, also I was pretty shocked by the price which was over 8 quid for 2 beers. What is this, London? Not somewhere I would rush back to during the winter months but I’d like to check out the canalside seating in summer.

Very easy to find due to the massive RAIN! signs on each end wall.
I came here for a post apocalyptic book group and ironically had a very cheery time.
I’ve been here 2 or 3 times before over the years and always had a nice time but still, it’s just not my favourite. Not even sure why but there you go. I expect it comes into it’s own when it’s sunny and you can sit next to the canal but those are not the days I’ve been in.
There’s also a large function room upstairs that had something on while we were there but you couldn’t hear any noise. I’ve been up there in the past but nothing really stands out in the memory.
Had a Boheme (?) Czech beer for £4.05.

I really like Rain Bar. I’ve been here more times than I can count over the years.
Have been in the week, at weekends, in the summer, in the winter and at Christmas time. Christmas, predictably, is always the busiest periods.
Last night, I was in a large group and reserved an area at the side of the bar. I’ve been with big groups before and had reserved areas and would say if you’re going on a Saturday and you know there will be more than ¹⁰⁄₁₅ of you then ring ahead.
I’ve had quite a few different drinks here and always found them reasonable. I had a medium glass of the rioja last night (well I had two, not just one!) and it was £3.75 so good value and cheaper than Slug, Dukes etc. My friend had a double vodka and tonic which was around £5, so again pretty good price, especially for city centre.
I find the crowd in here usually pretty good and never had any issues with anyone in here, which is good.
In all my visits, only once had food and that was about 5 years ago at a corporate event held in the upstairs space. We had a BBQ and the food was tasty. Not had any recently, nor have I had to pay for it, to judge the quality/​price of ‘normal’ food.
Overall, I really like this place and not sure why I don’t make this more of a regular place. Would recommend visiting if you haven’t already.

It’s ok for large groups on a Saturday evening. Was my previous comment.
On return, it seems that if they predict large groups or busyness they start serving beer in plastic glasses. We’re not students, so I don’t particular like that aspect.
It remains one of the few places that if we’re graced with the sun, you can sit outside and enjoy it with beer. The food is fine, though slightly on the pricey side for what you get.
It’s not as busy as Dukes, or any of the arches, so feels relaxing sitting next to the canal. But it could do better.

A canal side bar located in an old warehouse, the Rain bar has the foundation to be a most excellent bar. I think it fell short. It serves pub food, which although tasteful seemed over priced. I enjoyed the real cask ale they offer — and acknowledge they serve a bull bar so everyone should be happy on that front. My biggest gripe comes from the service. It was very inattentive and I actually had to get up to ask for another ale. I honestly don’t ask to be doted on in a pub but do expect to be offered additional drinks. It soured my perception of the entire place. I don’t think I will return.

For the second destination of an impromptu mid-​week mini bar crawl (see reviews of The Briton’s Protection
and Peveril Of The Peak
), we wandered down to Rain Bar. A former umbrella factory I believe (‘Brolly Bar’ would have been a much better name I reckon). It’s a pretty imposing three storey building just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street.
Now we only stayed for one drink, but I liked it in there, what with its inviting space, comfy booths and huge jukebox by the door.
There’s a large terrace outside which looks like it’d be a lovely spot to sit out in finer weather with a view of the Bridgewater Canal.
Perhaps one to visit in the summer months, to trial their food options as well. A review update is probably on the cards in that case.
Tip: The drink prices look to be on the expensive side, considering where it’s located, so it’s probably an option for a quick pint, rather than spending your night there.

I went in the summer with work colleagues on a trip to Manchester. Don’t be put off by the building at the front. The back of the pub opens onto multi-​layer terraces overlooking the canal. A lovely spot in the warm weather.
The bar staff seemed very good at talking amongst themselves, but not so good at serving patrons or helping. I tried to get cash out at the machine next to the bar. The receipt said there was a fault with the terminal, it only dispensed half the amount on my receipt & to notify the staff. I told the bar staff, but they weren’t interested & didn’t offer any help in finding a contact number at all.
I realise the machine isn’t owned by the pub, but a bit of understanding would have been appreciate, especially considering I was £100 down which the machine kept! As I walked away, I saw the staff member laughing & pointing at me to her colleague. Lovely service!
I was surprised to have my wine served in a plastic cup, although other pubs in Manchester seem to do this too! For the location & outside terrace its very nice. The staff however let this place down.

Feels a bit like a hotel, but is crisp n clean in this area. Almost next door to a Jury’s inn. Sells a couple of ales along with a cider and the usual bottles. Standard lager available. Jukebox playing all kinds of contemporary music.
Can’t complain. Booth style seeting at the front. Toilets that should be in a trendy restaurant. Nice place for a pint.

Located around the corner from Oxford Rd., it’s really easy to miss this pub — in fact, I’ve been here for over a year now and didn’t even realise there was *anything* in that general region. Guess I just never really explored far enough into that nook of Manchester. If you’re going in the evening, the best thing to look for is the big neon green sign with the name of the pub… once you see that, you really can’t miss it.
As you walk indoors, you’ll pass right by their jukebox which has a huge variety of tunes to choose from. There’s a sign on the door that says «smart casual» dress code, but I didn’t feel out of place in my jeans and hoody (that being said, it was still pre-​dinner hours on a weeknight, so I don’t think they were going to be picky). A pretty average selection of beers, with JW Lees providing the drawn pints. Interior is open and nicely kept, staff are above-​and-​beyond friendly, and the drinks are cheap.
I didn’t get a chance to have any food while here, but their menu looked fairly extensive, so I’m sure they have quite a few options that are stellar. Now that I’ve finally found Rain Bar, I’m looking forward to going back.

«Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.
4 Stars.
«Yeah one sec»
3 Stars.
I’ve collected more glasses than the staff here,
It’s very difficult to be objective about a place when you have a bad experience there. That said, this wasn’t the first time I’d been to Rain Bar down on the canal, and probably won’t be the last.
It’s also difficult to see the faults in a place when it has such a wonderful little spot down by the water, and grass to boot.
I visited Rain Bar yesterday in the first hot day of our Summer. It’s GORGEOUS down there in that little sun-​trap, walled in between the four and five-​storey office and apartment blocks, and broken up by the canal, along which riverboats still trundle, and runners take their evening jog, and in shorts and sunglasses, I couldn’t have done better.
Unless the beer were cheaper.
Or anything, for that matter.
I have two criticisms:
The first is the over-​pricedness of EVERYTHNG, and I’m not tight by any stretch, and if you only use plastic, you’re screwed, because their system is incredibly unreliable.
The second is the staff. I’ll be blunt. They’re rubbish. There are far too many of them (which is obviously fantastic for them, as the conversations, of which there seemed to be many, are clearly varied) for the work they’re doing.
PLEASE VISIT THIS BAR. When it’s hot outside.
⁸⁄₁₀ on a hot day. ⁴⁄₁₀ on a normal day in our wonderful city.

I came to this pub the other day because it was pay day. And that, for everyone where I work, means going to the pub and buying a nice lunch with a sneaky pint to celebrate the fact that for the next few days we won’t feel totally broke.
It was a nice, sunny day so we chose to sit outside by the canal. I had a really excellent glass of Staropramen and ordered a chicken, ham and leek pie with fries. I love pies, so I really was quite excited.
The prices at Rain are pretty reasonable, with my pie and drink not costing me much more than a tenner.
The pie came out in good time, and really was quite brilliant. Full of chunky chicken, the filling was creamy and delicious and the pastry was just right — chewy with a bit of crust. I hate it when eating a pie is basically like creating a crust dust explosion just to get anywhere near any of the filling.
The staff at Rain were friendly too. This, coupled with the amazing pie, made it a great place to grab some lunch and I shall certainly be coming back here.

I do quite like Rain bar but only for when I can sit outside and enjoy the canal view in the sun. It becomes a much better place to drink then. Rain bar is a really nice building to look at from the outside, it’s okay when sitting indoors. It’s very much a pub pub with average priced beer and overpriced food. The over 21 policy shocked me a little, but got to keep out the silly young uns and accommodate for thes silly old uns I think.
Rain Bar is actually one of the JW Lees group, which then does it help you decide? It’s got history behind it too; it used to be a Victorian Warehouse. There’s also actually a first floor bar for private hire if you’re feeling like a fan. I don’t know anyone who regularly comes here but all in all I wouldn’t go kicking and screaming for or against if it was on the agenda.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of Rain Bar. Despite its brilliant location (it’s situated right next to the Bridgewater Canal), to me it’s always felt as though it lacks that certain something to make it truly unique — particularly when compared to some of the other bars in the nearby area such as the exemplary Peveril of the Peak or Briton’s Protection.
Still, it is undeniably a halfway decent place to pop in for a beer on a nice Sunny day — and if you do decide to sit outside, a big Canadian Goose might even try to steal one of your chips. Oh — and the person above was right, it does have very good hand dryers.

Rain Bar has divided opinion on Unilocal,and I’m afraid I’m on the fence a little too. Useless, ain’t I?
It’s a pretty building, there’s no doubt about it. The sun terrace and real ales count as pros, as well as the gorgeous riverside location. The snug interior with its dark wood makes for a great winter spot as well. The prices range from reasonable to a little pricey, and while the food is apparently to die for as my fellow Unilocalers have already pointed out, actually obtaining it is akin to finding the Holy Grain. The excuses will Rain down on you. Geddit. Geddit?!? Still, I can’t stop snerking at the pies. ‘Willie’s Pies.’ I’m so puerile.
The warehouse conversion makes for an interesting atmosphere, but it can sometimes feel a little sterile. There just seems to be something missing… maybe it’s down to the laissez-​faire bar staff that sometimes make you feel like you’re ruining their day by asking for a drink. I think we’ll call that the Curse of Deansgate from now on.
I do like Rain Bar, but I don’t have a hugely loyal affection towards it. Still, if I’m in the area I’ll always pop in for a brewski or two.

Good things about Rain Bar:
1) It serves alcohol
2) It has a sunny terracey bit overlooking the canal
Bad things about Rain Bar:
1) Over 21 policy (if you’re under 21)
2) Rude staff, who would rather talk to their mates than serve you
3) Rude staff, who don’t consider it important to give you your change when it is a significant amount ie over £1
4) Pricey beverages

For some reason last summer, Tea Snob Friend always insisted we meet and drink at Rain Bar. I could never really see why she loved it so much. I mean, it’s OK but to me that’s just it… it’s just OK.
The drinks here are what you’d expect for about 50p more than you’d pay in say the Friendship, and they do food, but every time I’ve ordered food here I’ve been palmed off with a different excuse; the kitchen’s closed, the menu’s wrong, the moon is made of cheese. That sort of thing.
The best thing about Rain Bar is the big outside terrace. By the canal, and heavily laden with benches and tables, it’s a great place to while away the hours on a summer evening, carefully avoiding death-​by-​goose…
If there’s one thing that irrritates me about Rain Bar, it’s that it seems to attract wankers who like nothing more than to sing football chants about their friends, leer openly at women and try to pick up the geese. Wankers.
Rain Bar is OK, but not a fave, not by a long way…

Talk about irony. Before it became a three storey pub, the Rain Bar used to be an umbrella factory with hundreds of workers producing distinctive striped, spotted and windproof brollies. These days, you’re more likely to find students or local office workers sheltering from the rain or popping in for a post-​work drink.
Situated on Great Bridgewater Street, Rain Bar has a big patio that looks out onto the Manchester /​Rochdale Canal. There’s enough seating for a small coach party and in the summer, they often host weekend barbeques. I’ve yet to eat there myself but there’s a large menu offering standard pub food like fish and chips, steak and lancashire hot pot.
In the autumn and winter the ground floor space feels quite cosy with lots of cubby holes where you can sip a pint of guinness on a leather sofa or comfy chair. The rest of the year however, I find the dark wood, slate bar and dark red chairs a little too gloomy and depressing. Still, gotta take my hat off too The Rain Bar for celebrating the power of nature and stormy weather!
Gene Kelly dancing and singing in the rain!:

So I’ve walked past Rain Bar countless times and never had the urge to go in. It’s just another of Manchester’s little pub/​bar hybrids and it’s never grabbed my attention.
However the other night I was moaning to my colleagues about how there’s no good pub quiz in the city centre, only to be informed by my manager that Rain Bar holds a belting pub quiz on Wednesday nights… and so a plan was born.
We got there about 7:30pm, the plan was to eat but they stopped serving food at 8… bit disappointing but eating is cheating if you are drinking after all!!!
The pub was not all that busy so service at the bar was very quick. Reasonably priced drinks, not too pricey for city centre and a good range. We grabbed a comfy booth table and waited for quiz time!!!
Prior to the quiz being started we were asked to come and collect some quiz sheets and fill in the first 30 questions on the first and second page… they were not easy! But we were given a good 45 minutes to answer these so there was no pressure… however we did struggle to resist the temptation to Google a couple of answers on our phones as we were waiting a while!!!
When the quiz did start it was very well organised, you wrote your answers twice so that you could hand a copy in and mark a copy yourself. The general knowledge round was not particularly hard but the music round was just plain ridiculous! Not one of the questions were recent… and by recent I mean since the start of the new millennium! Out of 20 questions we knew about 6! This probably sounds like me being a bit of a sore loser here but still!
In the end, we came around third with 45 out of 60. Not fantastic but it was quite good fun.
Although we had a laugh, the questions were a bit dated and I wouldn’t particularly hurry back… the quest for a good pub quiz goes on… I’ll keep you posted if I find anywhere else!!!