Bluu, Thomas Street. (c) Manchesterhistory.
Bluu is probably the centre of the Northern Quarter in terms of location - on the corner of Thomas Street and High Street - and popularity, being rammed at all times, despite its blandness. It's a little chain with Bluus in the third city and two in the capital, and with its large main bar, terrace out front, brasserie to the rear and an atmospheric basement it caters for most tastes apart from the ale fan. Only bottled ale was available so chilled Cumberland it was.
The building which houses Bluu is an important part of Manchester's heritage, previously being a bank at the old Smithfield Wholesale Fish Market which is to the rear, although only the shell remains, apartments within. The market was built in 1872 and lasted a hundred years until all the Smithfield markets were closed and moved over to Openshaw.
Smithfield Wholesale Fish Market, High Street. (c) Manchesterhistory.
Website: www.bluu.co.uk. Images used with kind permission from the Smithfield Market section of the Manchester History website.
