Craft beer pioneer The Head of Steam has announced that its first venue in Manchester city centre is now open from today (Friday 28th November), unveiling the transformation of the Grade II listed building at 16 Newton Street, right on the edge of the Northern Quarter.
Marking its 16th venue nationwide since being established in 1995, The Head of Steam is celebrating the milestone by giving away 1,995 free pints - a nod to the year it all began and the brand’s long-standing ethos of making craft beer accessible, relevant and fun.
The new 2,800 sq ft venue, with space for 180 guests, will feature a striking central island bar and restored industrial features, bringing an extensive beer selection to the Northern Quarter, with 30 lines serving 24 kegs and 6 cask options. Guests can look forward to expertly selected brews, including Belgian favourites such as Delirium, Brugse Zot, and La Chouffe, alongside The Head of Steam’s own British-brewed range and other exceptional beers from top breweries around the world.
And it's not just beer, as a considered cocktail menu and premium spirits range will also be available, complemented by a bespoke wine list created exclusively for the venue. Visitors will be able to make the most of wine tasting boards, offering the chance to sample any four wines from the menu for just £15.
There will also be some cracking scran as The Head of Steam will be home to a pop-up kitchen from Salford legends That Burger Place, bringing the brand’s award-winning burgers to Manchester city centre for the very first time. Founded in 2016, That Burger Place has built a loyal following across Greater Manchester with its bold, California-inspired smash burgers.
Food will be served daily from 12–9pm, with guests able to get their hands on the twice National Burger Awards finalist ‘California Dreamin’ Burger’, along with favourites like The New Yorker, Bacon Jam Burger, and Chicken Sandwiches, plus new exclusives including the TBP Platter Board, Mozzarella Dippers, and Nashville Tenders.
David Scott, Retail Director at The Head of Steam, said: "We’re incredibly proud to confirm our opening date in the Northern Quarter - it’s one of the most vibrant areas in Manchester and the perfect place to bring our craft beer community together. With some fantastic West Coast beers on offer, partnering with That Burger Place, a food brand who share that love for bold West Coast flavours, just made perfect sense."
Ryan McDermott, Co-Owner of That Burger Place, added: "We’ve always loved The Head of Steam brand. I grew up in pubs as my parents ran several sites, so hospitality has always been in my blood. When the opportunity came to bring That Burger Place into The Head of Steam, it was a no-brainer. Working with the team feels like a perfect match, and we can’t wait to share our burgers with Manchester city centre for the first time."
Guests can expect a warm welcome, regular live music and DJ sets, pub quizzes, and augmented reality darts (available to book from £18 an hour), as well as live sport throughout the week, with all major sporting events shown across multiple screens. A weekday £9.99 burger and fries deal also makes it the best-value smash burger lunch in the Northern Quarter.
Craft beer fans can be in with a chance of winning a free pint of the Head of Steam’s own IPA, Lager, or Gold by signing up via the link here.