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New bar, The Gaslamp, to open
Jonathan Schofield almost knocks someone off a ladder in Bridge Street
We heard about a new bar opening called The Gaslamp.
So we called the owners Ryan Thompson and Nick Greenhalgh.
Thompson answered the phone, “I’m just up a ladder.”
There’s a good market round here for the type of audience he envisages with all the workers in Spinningfields and the apartment dwellers on both sides of the river. Gaslamp should chime well with Mojo, the King’s Arms pub and Corridor in Salford.
“Are you going to fall off?” I asked.
“Maybe. Could I pass you to Nick?” said Thompson, apparently teetering.
“Hello,” said another voice. “I’m Nick and I’m up a smaller ladder.”
The place Thompson and Greenhalgh have procured is a basement venue in the former Manchester and Salford Street Mission. This was designed as a charitable institution concerned with the welfare of children, and the architect was W&G Higginbottom. Finished in 1896, the building has a shiny terracotta (faience) facade with smiling children’s heads in panels high on the fourth floor. Cute – although the original melancholy use is a long way from the offices with a bar it’s about to become.
There are two main rooms, one containing the bar with the pumps and the other with a natural glow coming in from a rear light well. Extra glow should be provided by using the huge fireplaces. The whole place is a symphony of glazed bricks echoing the terracotta outside, while the name refers to the solidly Victorian atmosphere of the space.
Ryan Thompson is owner of The Art of Tea in Didsbury, and Nick Greenhalgh, is ex-manager of the Bay Horse in the Northern Quarter. They have good pedigree in the trade and they seem to know what they’re doing. With decent continental beers and guest real ales, plus an interesting wine list and (in the New Year) cocktails and food, this place should be a winner.
He’s spot on. There’s a good market round here for the type of audience he envisages with all the workers in Spinningfields and the apartment dwellers on both sides of the river. Gaslamp should chime well with Mojo, the King’s Arms pub and Corridor in Salford. It’s got a Common meets Odd meets Temple feel even in its incomplete state.
The Gaslamp is at 50a Bridge Street and opens on Thursday 16 December.
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Gaslamp will be in the tall building, next to a wig shop in case you need to venture there incognito
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14 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
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Oooh, how do we get on the guest list for the openng partee?
Sounds like a good idea. It's true as well we really could do with more bars down this end of town.
Nice one. Look forward to it. As long as the guy from the Bay Horse does try to break our ear drums with incredibly loud music which makes the art of conversation impossible. I hate the Bay Horse for the music.
Tis a fair trek to the Northern Quarter when in this end of town. A nice indie boozer nestled close to the corporate wonderland that is Spinningfields. They need to sort out Motor Square next...I think it's an excellent neck of the woods (Bridge Street area), quite different to the rest of the city.
Sounds great can't wait. I agree though wth the commenter above. Let's talk please, let's not have it too loud.
Interesting. I'm actually quite envious, I've had my eyes on this building for some years. I wanted to do something there. Is there ant space left on the other floors. It is a really fine building. Good luck with it guys.
There is no guest-list but i would recommend getting there earlier rather than later, we are opening the doors at 7.30. With regard to the noise we have lived and learnt from the past and we have many exciting musical ideas for The Gaslamp, and don't worry talking is part of the agenda. See you all Thursday.
Can't freaking wait. CCSC FTW.
Is Salford Arms safe to go in now?...
Nipped in last night had a good pint of Moretti - I recommended The Gaslamp nice mix of people will be calling in again in the near future
“We want to give it a classy vibe with soul, folk, jazz, progressive music and so on. But we´ll also get in exciting DJs and live acts."
So not that excited by soul, folk, jazz and progressive music then...?
Passsed it the other day looks interesting will pay a visit if prices are right may frquent regularly after work - needs to be good to beat the recently refurbished Salford Arms though which is brilliant
Had to laugh at that last comment, Salford Arms? one of the ruffest pubs around and I've lived around there for 4 years... a lick of paint outside doesn't stop the scallies going in as they're stood outside smoking all of the time.
Kings Arms is always a winner but really happy another quality bar like this has opened, now with Trof opening Gorilla soon near Quay St it should get even better
I am still laughing about anonymous comment. He is obviously a newcomer to the area I have lived in Salford for 58 years. My eyesight is still intact and have not seen so called scallies either inside - which is luxurious if anonymous bothered to find out - nor outside. Re Kings Arms had half of Guinness in ther once and left after 2 mouthfuls it was sour plus it only opens when it suits.
First impressions...it's a small basement bar, and although a lot of the original features have remained, it was a kitchen, and so it's rather bland. Better lighting might help create a better ambience. The acoustics are poor too.