Little-known UK town dubbed the ‘new Berlin’ – with brand-new beer hall and music venue, plus gorgeous historical centre

A UK town dubbed the ‘new Berlin’ is undergoing a £1 billion regeneration project – with the opening of a new beer hall and music venue the latest in a string of developments that are revitalising the area.

Underbank has opened in Stockport, a town of just under 300,000 and less than 10 minutes on the train from Manchester.

The destination was compared to Germany’s capital – best known for its vibrant nightlife, avant-garde art and rich history – by DJ Luke Unabomber in 2023.

And the owners of the new venture, Des and Nina O’Malley, are keen to tap into that vibe.

‘The street parties, the car park raves, Foodie Friday – everyone’s started saying Stockport’s like the new Berlin. But so far, everything’s felt temporary. We want to build something permanent,’ Des told Manchester’s Finest.

Located inside a former bank (that was more recently a furniture store), there will be a range of local beers among the drinks on offer as well as a frozen margarita bar and tequila shots in a space that blends a retro industrial look with nods to music heritage.

On the outside of the building is a mural paying homage to Joy Division, the Ian Curtis-fronted band that recorded their debut album Unknown Pleasures in Stockport’s Strawberry Studios.

There is also recording studio and event space in the basement.

Underbank has opened in Stockport, pictured here before its reimagining, complete with Joy Division-inspired mural

The building was previously a bank but is now home to Stockport’s first beer hall

Berlin is known for its avant-garde art – Stockport has the largest mural in the UK made from plastic bottle tops

The commitment to high-quality music sees Underbank – which describes itself as a ‘sound system’ – become the first place in Stockport to install a Void system, renowned for its cutting-edge audio technology and popular in venues and at festivals across the world.

Putting the facilities to good use, the opening weekend saw a series of artists blasting out music to a sell-out crowd.

The owners hope to expand the property to offer a rooftop bar from next summer.

The bar is in an area of Stockport known as the Underbank, which has been branded the town’s answer to London’s Soho due to its range of indie outlets.

It also featured as a backdrop for the Netflix mystery series The Stranger, based on the book by Harlan Coben and starring Richard Armitage and Siobhan Finneran.

Three years ago, The Sunday Times listed Stockport as one of the ‘best up and coming areas to invest in’.

And this year the same publication ranked the town among the most impressive places to live across Greater Manchester.

A new £140 million transport interchange and rooftop park, Viaduct Park, opened in March 2024 as part of the £1 billion redevelopment of the town.

Visitors can wander Stockport Market Hall, a thriving market held in a listed building dating from the Victorian era

St Mary’s Church, Stockport’s answer to the Nikolaikirche in Berlin

The German capital (pictured) has been compared to the English town

Visitors to the town can explore historical sites, such as the Air Raid Shelters and Bramall Hall, an impressive Tudor manor, spot street art and wander the thriving market.

Stockport is well-connected with nearby cities, with trains running to Manchester every five to 10 minutes on weekdays.

The journey to Manchester Piccadilly takes around 10 minutes.

Services to Liverpool run three times an hour during the week, and should take no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Further afield, Stockport to Newcastle will take around three hours with a quick change at Manchester Piccadilly.

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