Manchester has its fair share of native breweries, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for visiting dignitaries like Fierce Bar. Established in Aberdeen circa 2015, within a year the craft beer specialists had expanded to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. 12 months on, and in the midst of a global pandemic the brand set ups its first shop — or bar — in England, here in Manchester. Known for a number of great things, not least the exceptional selection of drinks and dog-friendly attitude, the company is a truly welcome addition to the thriving Thomas Street hospitality scene — one of several Northern Quarter roads that has now been sealed to traffic and pedestrianised, allowing businesses to set out tables for al fresco sessions.
Suffice to say, Fierce’s offering is impressive, even in a city that takes boozing very seriously. In total, the address operates a staggering 17 individual draught lines, with tipples on rotation selected from the best independent breweries in the UK and beyond. Of course, Fierce Beer is omnipresent within this. In addition to hops, this spot also does a roaring trade in cider, and walked away with the title of 2023 Central Manchester Cider Pub of the Year for its efforts. Meanwhile, a strong selection of wines is also available, just in case you’re not in the mood for pints, or halves.
Ethically minded, Fierce’s Aberdeen brewery has long been 100% vegan, meaning the entire range is completely free from animal produce. The same status has applied to Fierce Bar in our hometown since 2022, and gluten free is also a significant factor. In total, seven of the company’s core beers are suited to customers with a gluten intolerance. All that aside, in addition to casual drinks, upstairs The Vault is a standalone event space, which specialises in comedy shows, having hosted the likes of Tom Lawrinson and Olga Koch. The building also features a small art gallery, regularly displaying works from local talent.