New multi-purpose venue, renae, opens in Manchester this month

A new multi-purpose music hub, renae, is opening in Manchester this month. The Northern Quarter spot will include a ground floor bar and dancefloor, a gig space as well as co-working desks. It’s set to launch on Friday 28th March. 

Co-founded by Harris Mouridis, AKA Mouridis, and Brad Parkins — both well-established in the city’s nightlife as DJs, promoters, and hospitality managers — renae boasts the city’s only L-Acoustics Syva sound system, created by local crew Soundhaus, and has been designed by another independent regional creative, Beam Interiors. 

An on-site record shop will feature, curated by Patrick Ryder, whose resume includes nearby wax emporium Piccadilly Records and Manchester collective Talking Drums. New releases and second-hand vinyl will both be sold. A pop-up book shop run by 20k and a dead sheep will be another regular fixture, while the second floor venue can be used for events from yoga to DIY parties. 

“The idea is to create a hub for people who are into music and decent hospitality, so you can come and listen to great tracks on the ground floor, which will be very informal and open to everyone. Or go to an event on the first floor,” Mouridis told DJ Mag. “The top level will be a co-working space aimed at creatives, which is where some of the ideas for the events below will be formed.”

“The music programming is going to be quite broad, so people can expect to come for a boogie to disco, bathe in ambient sets and a lot more,” he continued. “I think the most important thing is the community aspect here — this is a place for everyone to feel welcome and a sense of belonging. Sound quality experience is a high priority for us but it’s not a listening bar, it’s a welcoming place without ego, somewhere to have fun where music really matters.”

In October, a new club, Amber’s, opened on Manchester’s Oxford Road, with a focus on emerging local talent and unannounced line-ups. Another nighttime venue, Piccadilly Central, also began operating in recent months. Last year, DJ Mag visited the city to meet local hero Finn.