Hello new favourite bar! So good that we went twice in 2 days for a nightcap (well several…read morenightcaps) after staying next door at the awesome Hotel Gotham! The way I'd describe this is a modern take on a beer hall with an upmarket beer festival vibe - it's great that you can see all the barrels behind the bar - nicely vaulted inside glass giving it a great unique style. On top of this there's a slight nod to Berlin minimalism whilst also having room for loads of standing punters and comfy booths if you want to take a load off. The beer on draft selection is amazing (at least 20) with loads of bottles too - Odell 5 barrel pale was lovely as were the stouts and porter. Raspberry sour was definitely an acquired taste but nice to try! Even the non beer drinkers in our group loved it - quaffing g+t's like they were going out of fashion. This place has the right vibe to appeal to everyone - very well done! Can't wait to go back!!

This may come as a surprise to some, but I was no fan of the Tib St incarnation of Beermoth…read more There prices were very high and I always felt an uncomfortable, snobby atmosphere in there - maybe just me (not on the prices front - they are high compared to Others in manchester). So a bar opened by near King Street!! ..time to sell the family silver eh? Well, no. Beer on draught is always cheaper than bottles but the prices in Cafe Beermoth are good generally, one half of a 7% stout was 2.20 - nice. They also break the mould slightly with their selection of beer; it's not the predictable MCR craft board I'm used to but rather a nice mix or UK/non-UK and very local beers on tap - as well as some fine coffee and pastries in the morn! They didn't just stick a load of pales on that will go down by the gallon, they stocked interesting and challenging beer on their opening weekend - sticking to their guns. Well, what can I say? It's got good beer, comfy stalls, and a lovely bar - go drink!

Magical? Chemical?…read more The alchemist is not only a nice surrounding to sit in but the service and food are great and delicious. When we checked in and were asked if there were any allergies we made jokes about my husband's allergy to cinnamon - that we would not need to worry about out it before desert. We ordered a few items from the menu - which is a very delicious mix of classics with some twists (tempura fried fish and chips for example). Order was taken and a couple minutes later the manager came and said "I am sorry - but the sauce to the fish contains a bit of cinnamon" wow! We change the order of course and the manager came back to the table asking if we would be worried about cross termination. We have been not and everything went well after that. Great service. The food itself plays with the alchemist theme for example the chorizo meatballs come with a syringe to inject your own amount of cheese (what you think? Yes of course o injected the whole Syringe into the little delicious meatball duhh). The menu consist of a lot of small items which makes me so happy since I can have so many bites of different things and at the alchemist they are all worth it! And of course classics like burger, salads and sandwiches alongside their mains. The menu is not too big but literally has something for everyone. You have to try the crispy pork skins! After we had been told that the crispy fish contains cinnamon my husband learned they offer their "chicken in a basket" as a vegetarian version as well and that is what he got. Damn that is so good: A bed of chips (fries for our American friends) are surrounded by one of the best coleslaw I had in a long time (almost as good as Guy Fieri's if not even better) then slightly pan seared onions and peppers layer on top of the fries. Ready to be mixed in. Then of course a generous amount of chicken or in this case plant based chicken smothered in a sweet chili sauce. Not to forgot to mention that it came with an extra little bowl of dipping sauce. Delicious! We also had a mocktail which name I might not be allowed to recite here let's named it "virgin adult film star" what a perfect combination of fruit, creme and sweetness. Yummmmmm To end the night I had coffee and Choclate - any serving of coffee comes with a set of three pralines. What a way to end the night at the alchemist. Great atmosphere perfect service and delicious food and drinks.

After a bad experience at 20 Stories across the way, I decided to call at The Alchemist in…read moreSpinningfields to try out their new menu. After a bad experience at the New York Street branch earlier on in the year, where the restauraunt promised (and lied) about getting back to me, I didn't have really high hopes for this branch and while it was better than NYS (That wouldn't be hard), it wasn't fantastic by all means. The current systems in place for Coronavirus have gone far too far, this includes removing the gluten-free menu which can only be accessed by a QR code. The funniest thing was that their own wifi had blocked their website, meaning it comes up with an error message when I tried to view their menu. This meant it was impossible to see what was and wasn't gluten-free. I used my initiative and connected onto my VPN, which then allowed me to see the menu. The mobile signal here is pretty sucky especially towards the dining area, which meant I couldn't use my standard data. I decided to order the gluten-free Honey and Sriacha Chicken Burger, it came with Bombay potatoes which I find to be a strange combination. I would have prefered any other type of potato to replace the fries, which do contain gluten and the Bombay potatoes just don't seem to go with anything else on the menu including another option which was grilled seabass with you've guessed it Bombay potatoes. My burger was okay, while it was a good chunk of chicken and I did like the flavours, everything else just wasn't. The bun was doughy and came apart easily, the slaw on the burger was so hard I had to scrape it off, and the Bombay potatoes just tasted strange and I didn't end up eating them. In the end, I just ended up taking the chicken off the burger and eating that. I really wish they did a simple grilled chicken meal as the chicken was good, but it was ruined by everything else. I would say the service was a little poor, it was difficult to get a table at first, but I admit I did not reserve a table as they prefer so I'm willing to let that slide a little. 2* - The chicken was good but everything else wasn't, the menu isn't too accomodating for gluten-free especially considering they have no physical gluten-free menus right now and only regular menus and it's like a puzzle just to find it online while inside the restauraunt. Perhaps if they change the gluten-free sides and work on the points I have mentioned I would return, but until then it's unlikely. 2*

I got recommended this place from a friend at work and with my birthday coming up (January), I…read morefigured why not treat myself. We booked the 30% off in January deal and rocked up not knowing what to expect. It's in a lovely (but expensive) part of the city and walking in you could see it would be lavish. The lighting was dim but good and we got a little confused as there was nobody waiting at the sorry, so we went upstairs and to the bar and checked in and quickly got seated. The chair and booth was so soft and comfy I sank into it and felt like I was gonna sink forever ... but I survived and it was comfy. The place setting was so much fancier than I was used to and it oozed posh. We quickly got served and the server was lovely and helpful and the restaurant was just lovely. When we got our food (decided in just a main and later desert as we planned for later tacos) and oh my god .. the ribeye was the best steak I've ever had. It was so tender and juicy and cooked to perfection and the thick cut chips were brilliant. I just got a single small glass of red (which was more than I usually pay for a bottle ) and was just lovely. The desert came later and my god that was equally as good. The bill was £80 for 2 of us but with the 30% off went down to £60 which was cheaper than other places we've been to but only with the money off. Would I go again as a date or treat? ... Absolutely

The queen of Spinningfields, Australasia has now extended its offering with the opening of Grand…read morePacific; a contemporary, colonial style bar in the heart of Manchester financial capital. It can be accessed via a secluded staircase inside Austalasia, this unique cocktail bar evokes the atmosphere of a luxury Pacific beach hideaway with smart colonial style decor in cream and white, a long bar, and a secret tropical garden. With exquisite cocktails as its main focus. The menu is the same as Australasia so you can expect some mouth watering sushi and desserts here. The whole place screams class and panache from every corner. This bar is definitely very unique and reminds me a lot of classy cocktail bars in London or New York. The pricing definitely is very high end as you would imagine and you need to put on some swanky clothes to feel not so out of place here. I can vouch that the food is delicious and so are the cocktails, but that you can find in a lot of other places too so this one you need to visit purely for the ambiance and the whole experience. Verdict : Great place to visit when you want to feel special!

I was coerced into coming here on a Sunday. I agreed under the guise of a Bloody Mary special to…read morecombat my hangover. So...I would not have picked this place as my first choice as a spot to work off a hangover. It had too many clean lines. I was wanting something old, dark, traditional, dark, quiet-ish and dark. So it was dark but in no way traditional. None-the-less there was indeed a Bloody Mary Special so all went well. It was a special that included an English breakfast. Between the Bloody Mary the hearty eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns and so on...I left in far better shape than I arrived. That was the extend of my experience- which seems a shame as there is a lot to do here (billiards, terrace- karaoke - they told us). I don't know that I would say this will become me Sunday recovery go-to place, but I will likely return and check it out under different circumstances.

I came along to Blackdog Ballroom as my friends +1 for their launch of their new cocktail…read moremasterclasses. They launched three new variants - studio 54, all cocktails popularised in the 70's, Mexican/tiki themed cocktails and my personal favourite Prohibition. I had cocktails st Blackdog quite a few times and they never disappoint and these be additions to menu are very welcome in my opinion. We had some rather fantastic Manhattens, Sazeracs, and a New York sour -the standout drink for me. A traditional whisky sour topped with red wine, sounds crazy but it's fantastic. Next time I'm looking for somewhere to drink cocktails and chat to some very knowledgeable mixologists I'll be popping along here.

​The staff are always helpful there is a real buzz about the place from cocktails being made. The…read morebest part of this place was all the games you can play from Jenga​ to computer games. The smoking area is also very quirky. I can highly recommend Hold Fast!

2 words guys : DOING THYME…read more If its cocktail time, those are only words you'll need to remember. Now if you're looking to be economical about the whole affair do indulge in their "Deckhand" cocktails which are just 2 for £9 during happy hour. Free popcorn, vintage gaming, a cinema, a smoking deck, smiling bartenders and lots of elbow room? Well, I'm doing time with DOING THYME whenever I'm in Manchester.

What can I say about Manchester House? Other than that it is excellent. In fact, excellent doesn't…read moreeven cut it. I was lucky enough to have Neil C. take me to Manchester House last Friday as a treat for starting my new job. I have visited the bar on 12th floor numerous times and have always been impressed, but this was the first time for dinner. Upon arrival, the hostess on the ground floor congratulated me on my new job! Excellent customer service and such an amazing, personal feel. She knew this from when the table was booked, but she didn't have to say anything. She did and it was amazing. Heading out of the lift into the restaurant we were greeted by a few more lovely hostesses. They welcomed us, took our coats and we were shown to our table. Walking through the restaurant, it has been very cleverly designed so that you walk past the kitchen first, giving you chance to see some of the dishes being prepared and sent out to their tables. I was SO excited. We ordered 2 full tasting menus. I ordered the drinks flight in addition and Neil C. went for the wine flight. The tables were neatly laid out and the seating was comfy - good job too, as we were sat there almost 3 hours. Our waiter arrived, carrying 2 glasses of Champagne. 'A gift from us. To congratulate you on your new job!' he said. :D *Laura beams* These guys are good. Throughout the evening our waiter was charming, knowledgeable, friendly and explained each dish in such minute detail that I can barely remember what I ate. All I have to say is that every one of the twelve courses I consumed was exquisite. Overall, it's obviously very expensive, but more than worth it. I'm already pushing for my next promotion so that Neil C. can take me back!!! ;)

This is just a review for the Lounge, because as my dad has not yet visited I haven't been to the…read morerestaurant (HA! what a cash surprise awaits him). Anyway, the Lounge is beautiful and a great place if you want to impress someone - it's on the 12th floor with excellent views over the city and there's a cosy outdoor area as well. The cocktail range is extensive and, unsurprisingly, a little pricier than elsewhere in town. One French 75 had a pretty major impact on my sobriety, however, so I'd say it's value for money as well as delicious. I'm also a fan of their cut glass crystal. The staff are very nice although can be a little slow to take your order/clear tables. Also beware the lift! It has a mind of its own. Update: the vesper here is excellent.

I visited Saturday for some pre wedding show fuel. We only went to P&P as Alabama's was (as always)…read morerammed and we couldn't get a table for 45 minutes. I was gutted realising I couldn't take my friend to Alabama's after raving about it so much. However, P&P absolutely did it disappoint! Promptly seated by a member of staff with a drinks order taken. Followed by the All American Breakfast which was very reasonably priced at £9.50! The hash browns were SO good so if you do visit, make sure you sling some on your order. Pit Beans were delicious but the show stealer was the Poached Eggs, they were amazing and cooked to perfection. Cracking venue for Sunday chills with friends, we loved the vibe in there. Shall look forward to my next visit. OH! And before I forget, they make a great latte!

The food was not well prepared...I ordered Parmesan truffle fries, and there was a dab of truffle…read moreoil and no Parmesan cheese. They forgot to deliver our drinks. And to top it off the chicken was undercooked. The place has a nice setting and atmosphere but the service was disappointing. The team needs to do less chatting and eating and pay more attention to their customers.

One of the BEST fish and chips I've had so far! Son and friends were staying at the hotel attached…read moreand we met them downstairs at the pub/bar. Cool vibes all around! Cool decor and cool music- ranging from New Order to alternative . Menu was legit British pub bar food - pies, burgers, fish and chips etc. But lemme tell ya their haddock fish and chips was one of de best I've ever had to far. A large more than generous portion battered and fried perfectly. Imma steak fry cut girl and their chips were delicious ! - thick cut, the way I like them and fried with a delicate crispy outside. We did have to ask for some ketchup. I thoroughly enjoyed the side of mushy peas- seasoned lightly, partially mush with partial full size peas. The steak and ale pie was delicious. Drizzled the yummy gravy all over. Order food at bar, they'll bring food to your table when ready. Great food, reasonable pricing for generous portions! Cool vibes

NQ never ceases to amaze!…read more "Lets goto the new pub round the corner from where we live" retorted a friend when quizzed on the P of A for the night. I was intrigued and then a flashback. On a particular night the week before I witnessed a 2am refurb going on, builders were hard at work transforming this particular building into something very appealing. As we walked in a week later, Abel Heywood was born in our reality. What an establishment! Let's get one thing straight, I love the NQ. But, as I've mentioned numerous times in previous reviews, Thomas street on a late Saturday night has begun (unfortunately) to resemble (much like somewhere like Printworks or Deansgate locks) a George Romero film from the 70's. That's exactly how we felt driving through it on our way to Abel. Now Turner street on the other hand has always been my favourite. It's that street in the George Romero film the Zombies haven't discovered yet. So we quietly parked there and tiptoed into the Abel avoiding attention of the Thomas street crowd. And wow, what an oasis. Calming music plentiful booths and comfy couches to sit on and timely bar service with friendly staff. The drinks range I've been told is fairly decent and there's a restaurant and a boutique hotel on the first and second floor respectively. Most of all the chilled out vibe on a saturday night was a clear winner. The seating booths are super comfy with heaters lined in between, which is likely to be a God send in the upcoming winter chill.