The first time I went into The Fitzgerald in the Northern Quarter was for some drinks with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day last year. Since then, I think the venue has somewhat risen in popularity and their drinks have reduced in size, but I still like it - a lot!
The interior setup is intended to evoke the feeling of a prohibition-era "speakeasy", with dim lighting and olde-timey cocktail menus. It's not very difficult to find or enter though, sadly, so it's not so much of a "hidden gem" any more and rather a quality cocktail bar which can get quite busy.
Whenever I'm in here, I always have to go for a South Side - a cocktail made with gin and lime, inspired by Al Capone and his gangsters apparently. The cocktails are delicious, not short on booze and better still they're 2 for £10 all night on a Thursday, as well as during certain times on other days of the week. Even when they're not on offer, though, the drinks here would easily give other cocktail bars a run for their money and are comparatively priced.
The bar staff have always been speedy and friendly, with some shaker-based showmanship thrown in for good measure.
There is one thing, though, which just stops The Fitz from getting a top rating and that is the fact that they - for whatever reason - allow people to reserve tables. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not inherently biased towards a first-come first-served system for tables. Reservations are fine for restaurants or larger establishments like a Wetherspoons, but The Fitz is not a large bar or a restaurant. Yet, on the Thursday evening I ventured in, of the 3 tables which were empty only one was not reserved and that had no chairs at it so you had to stand.
A minor grievance, mind, and one which certainly won't (and hasn't) put me off going back as I'm rather fond of this place. read more