Kennedy's Didsbury is a finalist for Best Town Pub 2026

This time last year, Kennedy's Didsbury wasn't even open. Now we've been named a finalist for Best Town Pub at the Great British Pub Awards 2026, the only Greater Manchester venue in the category.

The building had stood empty for over eight years, the former CAU and Zizzi unit on Wilmslow Road, before we took it on. Painting it red raised a few eyebrows at the time, though the colour actually nods to the Kennedy clan coat of arms, and it fits right in with the traditional Irish pub palette anyway. Since we opened last August, those doubts have faded, and the venue has become a genuine part of the Didsbury community.

We draw big crowds with live music Thursday through Sunday, plus live sports and happy hour specials including the £5 pint club. Guinness is the favourite, and it's a big part of why we made the Guinness Harp Guide 2026, but there's plenty else on tap too: Poretti, Carlsberg, Estrella, Somersby Apple and Coors, alongside a strong range of Irish whiskeys, gins and Club Orange. Something for everyone.

Kennedy's Didsbury is shortlisted for Best Town Pub alongside The Ship Tavern in London, The Keynsham Courtyard in Bristol, The Dog & Collar in Liverpool, Dr Foster in Gloucester and Cock 'N' Bull Co in Stourbridge, great company to be in. Closer to home, Stockport's Puss in Boots and Urmston's The Garricks Head were also recognised in this year's awards.

Our team from Didsbury shared with the Manchester Evening News:

"We're absolutely delighted to have been nominated for Best Town Pub at the Great British Pub Awards, especially as the only Greater Manchester venue in the category. What we've achieved in such a short space of time has been fantastic, and the response we've had from the local community has been incredible. We think people are simply happy that we've been able to bring something special back to this iconic building, which had stood empty for more than eight years."

Natalie, our manager at the Didsbury venue, added:

"From day one, our aim has been to create a space that everyone can enjoy; somewhere people can come together, let loose, sing, dance, socialise and have the craic. Seeing the venue embraced by so many people in the community has been hugely rewarding, and we believe that's a big part of what makes this nomination so special."

A huge congratulations to the whole team at Didsbury, and everyone behind the scenes, for bringing this together in under a year!