Help us open Pray Tell, Sale's new local

Aim

Pray Tell is your new local craft beer, natural wine and cocktail bar. We're looking for help to get the doors open.

Beth and Paul couldn't be more excited to bring you Pray Tell in Stanley Square, Sale.

Stanley Square regulars might recognise the married couple - it's not their first time in unit 6! Beth and Paul were two-thirds of the team who originally brought you Draft. Having owned and operated craft beer and sports bar Libero in Altrincham since 2018, Paul was the licensee, coordinated the bar and cellar fit out (training the other two on using the equipment along the way) and selected the mega range of house beers.

Beth curated the cocktail, wine and guest beer lists, designed the interior, and ran the day-to-day operations. It was her friendly (if slightly awkward) face you'd often see behind the bar in the first few months.

In July 2021, after some creative differences, their business partner decided to move on without the couple, and they parted ways.

To say they were gutted is an understatement, but Paul continued to focus on Libero, whilst Beth took the opportunity to develop her hospitality career, curating the beverage program at pop-up restaurant Tine, throwing pizzas at Honest Crust in Altrincham Market, and most-notably, managing quality cocktail bar Riddles in Altrincham before joining the opening front-of-house team at the well-regarded restaurant Higher Ground in Manchester. 

The last few years have given Beth and Paul plenty of time to plan and research their next concept, but not enough time to save up again for something new. When they were approached by Stanley Square earlier this year about taking over their old unit, it was an absolute no-brainer, but they knew they were going to need some help. 

This is where you come in.

Beth and Paul are busy working away on the bar, taking on as much of the work themselves as possible around their full time jobs, but they need some extra support to bring you as comfortable and cosy a space as they'd like to.

The biggest tasks are installing a second toilet and repairing the damaged existing one, and removing the concrete staircase (that leads to nowhere) that has a huge footprint and reduces indoor seating capacity. They're hoping to make the space brighter and more open, whilst providing facilities to help make you more comfortable.

The whole bar will be getting a refresh, with darker walls, vibrant accents, plenty of plants from Stanley Square neighbours Green & Grounded and comfortable seating. 

Beth has been working hard on curating the drinks menu, and is excited to bring a great by-the-glass range of easy drinking natural wines, a list of aperitif-style cocktails like negronis and spritzes, inspired by her love of all things bitter, and some of the best craft beers Manchester and the wider UK have to offer.

Pray Tell's house beers will include hoppy pale Factotum and lager Tannhauser Gate by their favourite local brewery Pomona Island, the legendary Sonoma by Track on cask, and Cloudwater Helles. They'll also have one guest cask ale and several guest keg lines.

Beth and Paul will be bringing an experienced and passionate team, most of whom they have worked with at Libero, to give a warm welcome and help you choose a drink you're going to love. Beth is a self-confessed booze nerd (it's her autistic special interest, so you might struggle to get her to shut up), and will be offering staff and customers alike specialised tasting sessions and workshops (working title: booze school) to help you get to know what's in your glass.

This really is a passion project for Beth and Paul - a bit of a dream come true - and they're incredibly grateful for your time and support. Let's get Pray Tell open!

This project successfully funded on 17th June 2023