The Refuge
The Refuge occupies the ground floor of the former Principal (now Kimpton Clocktower) Hotel on Oxford Street, a Grade II listed Victorian building. The space was redesigned in 2016 and features high ceilings, ornate tiled floors, original pillars, and a mix of vintage and contemporary furniture spread across a vast room. It functions as a bar, restaurant, and weekend DJ venue. The cocktail list runs to GBP 10-14. Beer costs GBP 5-6.50. The food menu covers brunch, lunch, and dinner, with main courses at GBP 14-26. Weekend evenings bring DJ sets that gradually transform the restaurant atmosphere into a low-key party. Brunch sessions on Saturdays and Sundays (10 AM to 3 PM) are popular and often require booking. The space is large enough to absorb big crowds without feeling cramped.
What to Expect
A grand Victorian hotel bar with DJ sets. The space is enormous and architecturally impressive. Expect a mix of diners, drinkers, and weekend dancers sharing the same room. The transition from restaurant to DJ bar happens gradually and organically.
Grand and relaxed simultaneously. The architecture does the heavy lifting. High ceilings, ornate tiles, and original features create a setting that makes any evening feel a little more special. Weekend DJ sessions add energy without overwhelming the space.
Weekend DJ sets lean toward house, disco, funk, and Balearic. Weekday evenings have background playlists.
Smart casual. The setting and crowd lean slightly upscale. Not formal, but the surroundings encourage some effort.
Brunch followed by daytime drinks. Couples and groups who want a stylish setting. Weekend evenings when the DJ transforms the space.
Cards and contactless accepted.
Price Range
Cocktails GBP 10-14, pints GBP 5-6.50, food GBP 14-26
GBP 5-26 ≈ USD 6-33 / EUR 6-30
Hours
Mon-Fri 7 AM to midnight, Sat 10 AM to 1 AM, Sun 10 AM to midnight. DJ sessions typically Fri-Sat from 8 PM.
Insider Tip
Book brunch in advance for weekends. The DJ sessions on Saturday evenings are free entry and transform the space without requiring a club commitment. The best seats are the booth areas along the tiled corridor.
Full Review
The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (formerly The Principal, originally The Refuge Assurance Building) is a Victorian masterpiece on Oxford Street. The bar and restaurant occupy the ground floor, and the space is vast. Tiled corridors, arched doorways, and a ceiling high enough to lose a basketball in give the room a cathedral-like quality.
The redesign struck a balance between preserving the Victorian bones and adding contemporary touches. Vintage furniture sits alongside modern lighting. The bar is a long marble counter that anchors one end of the room. Booth seating along the tiled corridor offers semi-privacy in a public space.
The cocktail list is well-considered. Drinks are built around seasonal ingredients and presented without excessive theater. The bartenders are skilled and responsive to off-menu requests. The beer list includes craft options from Manchester breweries alongside international selections.
Food is above average for a hotel bar. The kitchen produces dishes that could hold their own in a dedicated restaurant. Weekend brunch is the highlight: eggs every way, pancakes, and bloody marys in a room that makes Saturday morning feel like an occasion.
The weekend DJ sessions are what push The Refuge from a good hotel bar to a destination. Starting around 8 PM, DJs play house and disco at a volume that enhances the atmosphere without requiring you to shout. By 10 PM, people are dancing between the tables. By 11 PM, the energy approaches club territory while the surroundings stay civilized. It's a night out for people who've aged past standing in queues outside conventional clubs.
The Refuge works because the space is large enough to hold multiple functions simultaneously. Diners, drinkers, and dancers coexist in the same room without conflict. That's rare.
The Neighborhood
Oxford Street connects St Peter's Square to Oxford Road station, running through Manchester's civic center. The Palace Theatre, Manchester Central convention center, and several restaurants are within a five-minute walk. Peter Street's clubs are 3 minutes north.
Getting There
Oxford Road station is a 3-minute walk. St Peter's Square tram stop is 4 minutes. Piccadilly station is 10 minutes east. The venue is central to all Manchester transport links.
Address
Oxford Street, Manchester M60 7HA
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