FAB CAFE Private Hire
Manchester's basement transmission since 1998

World's First
Cult TV & Film
Theme Bar

109 Portland St · Manchester · open ’til 3am

What's On Tonight Drinks Menu
// 01

Transmissions Incoming

Every Wed
Wednesdays

The Big Geek
Quiz

Six rounds, themed weekly. Past nights: Rick & Morty, The Simpsons, 80s Movies. Teams of 6 max. Winner takes the kitty.

★ Free entry ★ 8pm sharp
Every Tue
Tuesdays

Gaming Night
Retro Pit

Vintage arcade cabs and old-school consoles, projected onto the back wall. Pac-Man table out front, controllers passed round.

★ Free play ★ From 6pm
Fri / Sat
Weekends

Popscene
DJs ’til 3

Britpop, indie, alternative, 80s. A DJ every night below the dance floor. £4 doubles. No corporate playlists, ever.

★ £3 entry ★ ’Til 3am
// 02

What's in the Cargo Hold?

?
Lockup Reveal — Aug 15

The Memorabilia Rotates

Tens of thousands of props live in a secret Manchester lockup. Every four to five months, Fab rotates the display — life-size aliens, TARDISes, signed cast photos from Buffy, the X-Files, Doctor Who.

Each rotation we drop a silhouette. Guess what's coming. First correct answer gets a free drink on changeover night.

↳ Drop your guess @fabcafemanc
// 03

Our Origin Myth

№ 01

1996. The Bomb Fell.

A 3,300lb device flattens the Corn Exchange. Jordan Royce's planned bar sits in rubble.

96
№ 02

£350 & A Pile
Of Salvage.

A basement on Portland Street. Salvaged props. A dream the surrounding wasteland didn't deserve.

97
№ 03

June 1998. Gareth
Thomas Cuts The Tape.

The Blake's 7 actor opens the door. The world's first TV & movie theme bar comes online. The transmission begins.

98
Read the full origin transmission
Manchester's Own Bat Cave. — Regulars, every time someone asks