11-13 New Wakefield Street,
Manchester,
M1 5NP
(0161) 2364899
The ViewManchester Review
Set over three levels, Space is composed of a modern bar, Manchester’s best roof terrace and a basement club.The VenueSpace has long-been a popular place for locals and students to hang-out. Tucked down on Wakefield Street it is easy to get to and has a huge concentration of flats and accomodation on its doorstep. The entrance to the main bar area is at the end of a stone-floored, enclosed atrium, up some steps and through a set of double doors.
The bar is in the middle and there are two long rooms on either side, furnished with low sofas, high stool seating and communal booths. There’s a big black and white mural on the wall depicting, rather bizarrely, what looks like a Celtic cemetery. Quite how that fits in to the Space image is anyone's guess, although the venue has been invested in, and it has paid dividends - it's just as popular now as it was back in the day when it was called Generation X.
Downstairs there is a club that has a long and colourful history, it might not be as varied musically as it once was, but it is still a popular place to end up. Upstairs is the wonderful decked terrace area, which is bordered by tall plants and this is a fantastic space whether you're a smoker or not. With its own small bar it’s a massive boon in the summer especially when the Euroculture festival is on. It can’t stay open to late into the night though, as local residents need their beauty sleep.
The PeopleA healthy mix of city-centre workers and students (but mainly the former). Space attracts, in the main, a 25-35 crowd, including up-for-it party people at the weekend.
The Food and DrinkThere’s Staropramen, Guinness, Beck's and Stella on draught and a good range in bottles. A bottle of the Italian floral white Moncaro Trebbiano is just £6 and Californian Old Station Rose costs £8. The cocktails can be great but this depends on the time, day and who serves you.
The food menu is more upmarket than other places nearby and features a crayfish tail with chilli and mayonnaise sandwich for £4.50, a plate of salmon and tomato linguini at £6.50 and a Cajun chicken burger for £6.45.
The Last WordWhether you want to chill or get down and party, Space remains one of Manchester’s most versatile venues.
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