Jump Studios places authenticity and quality at the heart of design thinking for new addition to Manchester’s burgeoning food and drink scene
Located in Barbirolli Square in the heart of Manchester, Society creates a high-quality, welcoming bar and street food offer serving customers throughout the day, evening and weekends against a backdrop of ambient music. Designed by Jump Studios, the project was a joint venture between PopCity and Vocation Brewery.
With an evolving events programme of independent music and other themed events, the waterfront location attracts a range of users from families visiting during the day to friends getting ready for a night out. The space houses five independently owned kitchens and two bars with seating for over 350 people.
Jump Studios worked closely with PopCity to imbue the design with the company’s core brand values of authenticity, independence and quality – establishing a distinctive design language for its growing family of food market halls. The aesthetic feels urban yet welcoming — timber and metalwork are featured heavily throughout, complemented in their robustness by a polished concrete floor and exposed concrete ceiling.
The space houses a long central bar with 30 beers available on tap and a secondary bar serving coffee during the day and cocktails at night. The scheme incorporates a mezzanine level to increase the capacity of the venue, while also lowering the ceiling height and creating a more intimate seating nook for people to gather, set against the backdrop of a bespoke mural created by a local artist. Part of the day-tonight transformation makes room for a DJ booth and dance floor.
Externally, an outdoor patio was added so guests can enjoy the waterfront views. Society brings to the city something different with its many food and beverage options combined with its laid-back urban aesthetic.
