The Refuge, Restaurant and bar in Manchester, GB
The Refuge is a restaurant and bar set inside the Palace Hotel on Oxford Street in central Manchester. It is divided into four spaces: a dining room with open kitchens and booths, a long granite bar, a glass-covered Winter Garden, and a smaller room called The Den with games and a private bar.
The building was constructed between 1891 and 1932 for the Refuge Assurance company and later became part of the Palace Hotel. When the space was renovated to become a restaurant and bar, the original terracotta walls, glazed brickwork, and marble surfaces were kept in place.
The name comes directly from the Refuge Assurance company that once occupied the building, a detail that still shapes the identity of the place today. The Winter Garden, a glass-covered section inside, draws people in for afternoon tea and cocktails in a bright setting that feels different from the rest of the venue.
The Refuge is open every day from breakfast through to late evening, making it easy to visit at almost any time. Weekends tend to be busy, especially for brunch, so booking a table in advance is a good idea.
The bar pours 18 different craft beers on tap, including a house brew called Volta made exclusively for the venue. Music is provided by DJs who are often friends of the owners, which means the sound changes from visit to visit.
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