retiredmartin

May 2025. Manchester.

3 pints in and a half hour walk to the Etihad to come, I suddenly needed a coffee.

“I know just the place” says Matt. I rather doubted that, never seen either of my lads drink caffeine, but a minute from the Castle and the Koffee Pot,

he takes me in the most extraordinary shop on Tib Street, yards from the Wheatsheaf and Bar Fringe.

Never noticed it, hadn’t a clue what it was.

Ah, a Shoegaze cafe, obviously.

Not really a Shoegaze city, Manchester. Since the Fall and New Order and the Hollies I reckon the Manc scene is a bit overrated, and the revival of Shoegaze is largely a southern affair.

This is owner Henry’s little pop-up while he looks for a long term tenant, but for now plays his favourite stuff and dishes out £2 Folgers “diner coffee”.

“How you doing Matt ?”

I’m immensely proud my lad is patronising Manchester’s most eclectic little cafe, 8 cups a day says Henry, who is charming company and wants to talk about Tommy Ducks and other closed Manc boozers.

Henry won’t be adding Holt or Pomona to his lone coffee menu any time soon, but while he’s there I’d pop along and talk pubs.

You’ll even get a free fortune cookie with your coffee, if you’re nice.