Manchester is no stranger when it comes to experiential cocktail bars. From Fallowfield to the Northern Quarter, the city is packed with mixology magicians serving some of the best cocktails in the business. But as you know, not all cocktail bars are created equal, so DesignMyNight have rounded up the trendiest and most exciting cocktail spots in Manchester for your drinking pleasure.
Cane and Grain
Beefy, boozy and dripping in industrial cool, Cane and Grain is a place for people who take their meat as seriously as they take their bourbon. The downstairs bar dishes up ribs, burgers and Spam fries – yep, that kind of Spam – alongside a serious selection of beers and cocktails. Make sure you take a mosey upstairs to the Science and Industry bar though. If you couldn’t tell from the name, this is where the real cocktail making goes down – the bartenders have everything from agave foam to edible perfumes in their arsenal.
The Laundrette
Sassy, classy and just the right amount of over-the-top, The Laundrette is less a place to get your clothes clean, and more a place to hang out (pun intended). With a cocktail list that mixes Laundrette originals with twists on the classics – Marshmallow Colada anyone? – you can waste hours sampling their quirky concoctions. The same applies for soaking it up: pizzas, burgers, mac ’n’ cheese – this place has a roller coaster menu of comfort food. If you’re ever on First Street, it’s well worth taking a spin to The Laundrette.
Cottonopolis
Suave, sophisticated and incredibly sexy, Cottonopolis is one of the Northern Quarter’s most elegant cocktail joints. Perfect for an intimate catch-up dinner or date night, if you’re looking for a classy spot that can combine eccentric cocktails with delectable Asian-inspired small plates, Cottonopolis should be at the top of your list.
Dirty Martini
Up and down the country, Dirty Martini is the mark of a good cocktail. Specialising in, you guessed it, the humble martini, Dirty Martini has transformed the drink into a thing of enormous variety. With playful flavour combinations such as white grape and rose, and kiwi and coconut available, and depending on how many you decide to indulge in, it might be a good idea to order some of their mac’n’cheese bites in between rounds.
Be At One
Be At One have some of the best mixologists in the business, and each drink they serve is mixed expertly, and with great enthusiasm too. With some truly insane shots and concoctions involving ice cream, popcorn and English breakfast tea, if you’re looking to expand your cocktail horizons, Be At One are on hand to help you out.
Behind Closed Doors
Hidden deep down inside a Northern Quarter basement is one of the city’s naughtiest cocktail bars. With names like Furry Cup, Wet Dream and 50 Shades of Earl Grey for their cocktails, and walls decorated with vintage glamour model pictures, Behind Closed Doors certainly isn’t lacking in character. Perfect for a date night, or a night out with some mates, this sexy little spot is worth looking out for.
Roc & Rye
Located in the heart of Upper Street, Roc & Rye specialises in coffee, exquisite cocktails and they have some of the friendliest staff in Manchester. Plush, relaxed and effortlessly chic, their menu features all manner of elegant, internationally-inspired cocktails. Given its name, it doesn’t come as a massive surprise that Roc & Rye boasts a particularly impressive whisky list too.
The Liars Club
A contender for one of Manchester’s funnest cocktail spots, this Deansgate tiki bar is that breed of kitsch watering hole where no two nights are the same. Featuring a huge range of tropical cocktails and giant sharing buckets, The Liars Club is a great location for a night out or for a couple of cheeky drinks with your friends.
The Washhouse
Located inside an actual working laundrette, The Washhouse is a place shrouded in mystery. From reserving a table (and you must reserve a table) to finding their address, everything about this clandestine little bar is kept very much under wraps, but it’s well worth getting a seat in one of their leather-clad booths. The bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable about all facets of cocktail-making and the drinks themselves won’t cease to surprise you.
Cloud 23
Certainly one of Manchester’s more debonair bars, Cloud 23 is the true height of luxury. Offering fabulous signature cocktails, the finest champagnes and gorgeous views over the city, take a pew by their floor-to-ceiling windows and watch the city from on high. Open from noon, take your experience to the next level and drop in for their speciality afternoon tea featuring the classic clotted cream, scones and cake with the added bonus of a bespoke cocktail.
For more info on Manchester’s best bars, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Twitter; @DesignMyNight.
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