If you’re looking for a date night spot in Manchester, Matt and Phred’s currently has a fab Wednesday night deal.
For anyone not in the know, Matt and Phred’s is a powerhouse of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The founders (Matt and Phred) opened this jazz bar in a ‘year nobody can agree on’, and it’s since become a stalwart in the city's nightlife scene.
It has a cosy, relaxed atmosphere created through low lighting, wooden chairs, and red décor, making it the perfect atmosphere for a date night, with an intimate feel. Matt and Phred’s also boasts a brilliant line-up of live music that rotates every evening.
Wednesday is ‘date-night’ at Matt and Phred’s, as they welcome dates and mates to join them for a duo dining deal. This is a quieter night at the jazz bar, which is ideal for sitting back and listening to the live music from 8 to 11 pm, with a more laid-back feel than on the weekend.
When I visited, we opted for the £30 ‘It’s a date’ dining deal, which consists of a bottle of the house red or white wine OR any two cocktails, with a pizza and a garlic bread side to share. The deal is available from 6 to 8 pm, before the live music starts. We went at 7 pm, an hour before the jazz, giving us a good amount of time to settle in and chat.
We chose the house white, the Seramaris Lucido Pinot Grigio, which they usually sell for £25, so the deal is definitely worth it. The red is a Merlot, and the cocktail options range from spritzes, daiquiris, margs, and whiskey sours. For the price, the wine was absolutely worth it and complemented the food nicely.
The pizzas are a decent size; both the garlic bread and pizza are nine inches in the deal, providing a proper meal rather than a measly light bite.
I went for the Greek pizza, which had feta cheese, mozzarella, black olives, red onions, sun- dried tomatoes, and their own M&P’s tomato base sauce, all on a thin crust base. This was really tasty, especially with the combo of feta and olives.
In the Wednesday deal, any pizza is available, with multiple veggie or meat options. These include the Florentina with spinach and egg, a Cajun chicken pizza, and the Dave Walsh special with chorizo and anchovies. There’s certainly something for every pizza-lover, even if you’re just looking for a classic margarita. These pizzas are still a good price if visiting another day, between £8 and £10.
The garlic bread side was the same size as the pizza and made with the same thin base, Gran Moravia, mozzarella, and garlic oil, elevating the classic tastes. For both the pizza and garlic bread, gluten-free bases are available if you ring ahead.
It’s also worth a visit just for the music, as the live music is almost always free. We saw the James Owston trio, but almost every Wednesday, there is a different performer, so this spot never gets old.
Matt and Phred’s also offers a Tuesday dining deal: Tasty Tuesday. On this day, if you buy any two drinks, including beers, wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, they provide a free 9-inch pizza. This is available every Tuesday, 6-11 pm.
What makes Matt and Phred’s stand out is the combination of live music, cool vibes, and affordable food and bevs. The staff were friendly, the food delish and the service was speedy, making for the ideal date night. So, if you’re stuck for a place to go on a Wednesday, I’d absolutely recommend Matt and Phred’s!
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