The Big Hands, Pub and music venue with roof terrace on Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom.
The Big Hands is a pub and music venue with a rooftop terrace located on Oxford Road. Its interior features dim lighting, red neon accents, vintage posters covering the walls and mannequins that establish a distinctive character throughout the space.
The venue opened in 2001 and quickly became central to Manchester's independent music circuit. Leadership changed in 2018, yet it has remained a significant anchor for the local music community.
The space draws together local musicians, artists and makers who treat it as their creative hub. This convergence of different skill sets and interests shapes how the place feels and who spends time there.
The venue sits on Oxford Road and is easy to reach by foot or transport at various times of day. Visitors should take time to explore both the indoor space and the rooftop to get the full experience of what the place offers.
The rooftop holds a Mediterranean-style garden where a resident Sicilian chef grows ingredients for homemade spirits and prepares food. Orders travel through the space announced by a vintage bicycle horn, adding an unexpected playful touch to service.
Location: Manchester
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: 296 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9NS, UK
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 15:00-02:00; Friday-Saturday 12:00-03:00; Sunday 15:00-02:00
Phone: +441612727309
Website: https://instagram.com/bighandsbar
GPS coordinates: 53.46292,-2.23041
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:00
Manchester's rooftop bars and terraces let you step above the city streets and see things from a different angle. These venues sit high up on buildings across the city, where you can watch the skyline shift as the sun moves. They serve everything from craft cocktails and craft beers to proper meals and casual bites. Whether you want a quiet spot for a drink or a place to gather with friends, these rooftop spaces offer something different from ground-level venues. You get the city views, the open air, and good food and drinks all in one place. Some are sleek and modern, others feel more relaxed and casual, but they all share that sense of being lifted above the everyday rush of Manchester below.
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