Hi Everybody here is a painting and story of The Rain Bar Manchester by day, I hope you like it
My paintings, stories and videos capture fleeting glimpses of people places and social issues, I aim to bring my cityscape paintings to life in an expressionistic style, blending emotion, movement, and atmosphere to reflect the world as I see it, also turning negatives to positives in my way.
I hope you enjoy exploring my work, and please feel free to share your thoughts or comments — I’d love to hear what you think.
My Motto, BEE Positive.
https://youtu.be/e_Ds6QKC2h4
Original Available, or A3 Limited Edition print £55 contact me https://andrewalanmatthews.co.uk/shop
https://andrewalanmatthews.co.uk/
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A Bit of History
Bagging a Publican Award, Rain Bar is undeniably one of the best pubs in Manchester and without doubt one of the most iconic in the city centre. Rain bar, once an umbrella factory supplying Manchester with much needed shelter from the Northern rain has been serving up award-winning JW Lees beers for over 26 years.
The central bar at the heart of our pub is stacked with award-winning cask ales, lagers and an array of wines & spirits from around the world. We also serve a variety non-alcoholic options.
The large canal-side beer garden is a magnet for customers not only in the summer, but year round with a large canopy and outdoor heaters, it’s the perfect beer garden all year round.
Rain Bar makes for the ideal place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a couple of beers or a glass of wine before heading off out into Manchester. Our menus are stacked full of choices, sharing plates, pub favourites such as fish & chips and not forgetting our legendary Steak & Ale Pie made with our very own JW Lees Bitter.
Upstairs at Rain Bar there’s a stunning events space with a private bar, and a Boardroom ideal for private meetings, small conferences and even weddings.
Story By Andrew Alan Matthews
The Rain Bar Manchester
Rainy city in June
Come too soon
Umbrella factory
Back in the day
Washed away
down Mancunian streets
where the amber nectar flows
Crows and pigeons
Circle the sky
Grey sky on Rochdale Canal
Pals and gals
Walk the street
To a Mancunian beat
Over the road
Peveril of the Peak
Compete
Treat
Wedding treats at the Rain Bar
Where old and new come together
Victorians worked in here
No cheer
have a beer
Drink yer night away
So yeah
The Rain Bar Manchester
Rainy city in June
Come too soon
Umbrella factory
Back in the day
Washed away
down Mancunian streets
where the amber nectar flows
don’t stick up yer nose
https://youtu.be/e_Ds6QKC2h4
Please write a review and critique on my painting and story of The Rain Bar Manchester by day .
Review and Critique of The Rain Bar Manchester by Day
Painting and Story by Andrew Alan Matthews
First Impression
The Rain Bar Manchester by Day is a vibrant, energetic celebration of Manchester's industrial heritage, social culture, and distinctive urban character. Rather than presenting a literal representation of the city,
Andrew Alan Matthews creates an expressive and emotionally charged vision of a familiar Manchester landmark. The painting pulses with movement, colour, and local identity, while the accompanying poem captures the humour, pride, and down-to-earth voice of the Mancunian spirit.
The work feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary. Historic buildings stand alongside modern developments, reflecting Manchester's continual reinvention while retaining its roots.
Composition and Visual Impact
The strongest aspect of the painting is its dynamic perspective. The road acts as a visual pathway leading the viewer directly into the scene and toward the Rain Bar itself. The converging lines create momentum and draw the eye through the cityscape.
The Rain Bar sits prominently in the centre-right of the composition, becoming both a physical and symbolic focal point. Its warm reds and oranges contrast dramatically against the cool blues and greys of the sky, creating visual tension that mirrors Manchester's reputation as a rainy city warmed by its people and pub culture.
The inclusion of numerous walking figures gives life to the scene. They are not detailed portraits but symbolic Mancunians moving through their daily routines. Their football shirts and local references reinforce a sense of place and community.
The graffiti, signage, and handwritten elements scattered throughout the painting create a visual language that feels authentic and lived-in. They function almost like fragments of conversations overheard in the city streets.
Colour and Atmosphere
One of the most striking achievements is the colour palette.
Traditionally, Manchester is often portrayed through muted greys and rainy atmospheres. Matthews instead transforms the city into a riot of colour:
- Deep cobalt blues dominate the sky.
- Fiery reds and oranges animate the brickwork.
- Turquoise and white highlights energise the pavements and roads.
- Reflections create a sense of recent rainfall without making the scene gloomy.
The result is a Manchester that feels alive rather than oppressed by its weather. The painting suggests that rain is not something to endure but something woven into the city's identity.
The sky itself deserves special mention. The swirling brushwork creates movement and drama, almost suggesting weather systems rolling across the city. It acts as an emotional backdrop rather than simply a realistic sky.
Style and Technique
The painting sits comfortably between Expressionism and Urban Impressionism.
The exaggerated perspective, distorted architecture, and bold outlines are not mistakes of observation but deliberate expressive choices. Buildings lean and stretch, creating energy and personality.
There are echoes of artists such as:
- L. S. Lowry in the celebration of everyday northern people.
- Vincent van Gogh in the animated skies and expressive brushwork.
- Bernard Buffet in the angular architectural treatment.
However, the painting remains distinctly Matthews' own voice because of its local references, humour, and personal connection to Manchester.
Relationship Between Painting and Poem
The poem functions as a companion piece rather than a literal description.
Its repeating refrain:
"Rainy city in June
Come too soon"
creates a musical rhythm reminiscent of pub songs, football chants, or spoken-word performance.
The references to:
- the former umbrella factory,
- Rochdale Canal,
- Peveril of the Peak,
- beer culture,
- weddings at the Rain Bar,
anchor the work in Manchester's history and present-day life.
The informal language—particularly the closing line:
"don't stick up yer nose"
adds warmth and humour. It reminds us that this is not a romanticised tourist vision of Manchester but a local's perspective.
The poem's simplicity works in its favour because it reflects everyday speech. Like the figures in the painting, the words belong to ordinary people rather than grand historical narratives.
Themes
Several themes emerge throughout both the painting and poem:
Industrial Heritage
The reference to the umbrella factory acknowledges the building's origins and Manchester's manufacturing past.
Community
The street is populated with people rather than vehicles. Human interaction is central to the work.
Change and Continuity
Victorian architecture stands beside modern buildings, reflecting Manchester's ongoing transformation.
Weather as Identity
Rain is not portrayed negatively. Instead, it becomes a defining characteristic of Manchester life.
Working-Class Culture
Pubs, football, friendship, and humour all contribute to a celebration of everyday northern culture.
Areas for Further Development
As a critique rather than simply praise, there are a few areas that could potentially strengthen future works:
Figure Hierarchy
Because many figures are similar in scale and treatment, the eye occasionally struggles to identify a central human narrative. Introducing one or two dominant characters could provide an additional emotional focal point.
Value Contrast
The painting relies heavily on colour contrast. Increasing tonal contrast in selected areas around the Rain Bar entrance might strengthen the focal point even further.
Poetic Structure
The poem's repetitive refrain is effective, but introducing a contrasting verse midway through could create a stronger narrative progression before returning to the repeated chorus.
Overall Assessment
The Rain Bar Manchester by Day succeeds because it is not merely a painting of a building. It is a painting of Manchester's personality.
The work captures:
- local history,
- urban change,
- social life,
- humour,
- weather,
- and civic pride.
The expressive brushwork, vibrant colour palette, and playful poetic voice combine to create a piece that feels deeply personal yet widely relatable to anyone familiar with Manchester.
Most importantly, the painting avoids nostalgia becoming sentimentality. It acknowledges the city's industrial past while celebrating the living, breathing Manchester of today. The result is a lively urban portrait full of character, energy, and affection for place.
Overall critique: A bold, expressive cityscape that successfully blends architectural heritage, local culture, and Mancunian humour into a visually engaging and emotionally authentic tribute to one of Manchester's best-loved landmarks.