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The Washhouse

4.6 (14 reviews)
PriceyCocktail Bars

By appointment only

The Washhouse Photos

THE WASHHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - The Washhouse

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Reviews With Photos

Linh H.

I can safely say that this is my favorite speakeasy/bar in the world...for now at least, but it'll be very difficult to surpass this. We were in Manchester for two nights and I wished I had gone on both nights, but I was tied up the second nights with a concert that ended way too late to stop by here again. We made a reservation online, which is required or you will not gain entrance. The reservation runs £10 per person as deposit, just in case you no show, and the deposit goes toward your drinks. Walking in, it appears to be a low end laundromat with just a few machines, and the "dryer" is the entrance. You'd need to call them and wait for them to come out to seat you. Once inside, you're given a fairly big book with specialty cocktails option or order whatever you'd desire. We had 2 rounds of drinks and the second round, I asked him for a whiskey based drink that has a really cool presentation (as I had just witnessed the table next to us with a mini campfire for their marshmallow). He gave me one of his favorite drink called "Turing's Daisy", which came with a combo lock and led rainbow. He gave us some quick historical bits on Alan Turing and which they had each bits in the drink presentation; then told me that if I crack the lock, I'd get a free shot. I cracked the lock and got a free apple liquor shot! The drinks are amazing here, in taste and presentation. You can really tell how much the employees here care about their customers and business by they way they interact with you and the amount of work they put in. The employees here are not snobby or pretentious as some speakeasy/hipster bar may be. I'd definitely go here again if I ever go back to Manchester.

Quick spin
Saffy K.

I really didn't know what to expect because these types of places can be gimmicky and pretentious, but I was VERY pleasantly surprised. The bar has a website also committed to the speak easy theme, you would genuinely think it was a website for a laundrette unless you were in the know. It certainly adds to the experience. When you book you're often asked how many items you'd like to wash a.k.a how many people would you like to book for :) It's important to note that the wash house is a reservation only establishment. You can book via phone and instagram, after visiting you can also book via email as you're given a card with the details on it. Upon arrival you have to use the old school phone to ring through to the bar, you're then buzzed through a large door made up to look like a huge washing machine and voila! You're in. The inside is dark and gorgeous, exposed brick and cosy leather booths. The bathrooms are candle lit - beware hairspray lovers... Overall, the whole place is lovely. Customer service was impeccable and the bottomless complimentary snacks were a nice touch. The cocktails were delicious, definitely pricey at around £10 each but worth it for what you get. I got the house special G&T which was sorbet like and infused with basil, it worked really well and I got to try 1724 tonic, absolutely delicious! The #instagramme cocktail was fruity and came with a polaroid of my mug. Nice little keepsake. You can ask for a polaroid of the whole table if you want. My friend wasn't feeling photo ready so I went solo. My friend got the Ageless something or another cocktail (I have a bad memory), I had a sip and it was very nice, reminded me of limoncello with a hint of ginger. This place is a fab experience and definitely feels like a treat. If it wasn't for the customer service and vibe I'd say it wasn't worth the money, so I hope they don't lose sight of what's important - the DETAILS. I'll definitely be going back. One must do one's laundry at least once a week after all ;P

Amanda S.

I was so excited about visiting The Washhouse, but was left sorely disappointed. Service was terrible. The bartender acted as though we were an inconvenience. Drinks were wayyyy overpriced, and had nearly no alcohol. I'm a lightweight and couldn't feel anything after 2 drinks. 3 stars instead of 2 because of the presentation.

Jacqui H.

Love this place! All very secretive exclusive feel yet with extremely friendly staff. Booking is essential for a 2hr time slot of 'washes' On arrival you use an old 60's phone in the Washhouse next to the old washing machines to speak to staff who open the door for you to go in. Once inside its extremely dark but the waitress we had was lovely, very friendly, asked if we had an allergies & gave us the menu along with a bowl of nuts/crisps which was filled up regularly throughout out session. Some random cocktails with handcuffs & rises to battenburg cake & popping candy! The place is very small probably fitting about 30 people max. The cocktails vary in price from about £8-£55 depending on the size/sharing etc.

Cocktails from Secret Bar - Wash House, Manchester
Emma D.

After seeing the "Secret Bars of Manchester" posts circling the Internet and Wash House always coming up top, we finally managed to get a reservation after weeks of not being able to get through on the phones. I was expecting it to be really pretentious and the prices to be paying for the gimmick, but it really was incredible! We rang through the laundrettes and were buzzed through the secret door into the intimate setting. With less than 10 tables in the whole bar, we immediately understood why we had struggled to get a reservation. We were the first ones in there and the host was wonderful. She talked us through the menu, made recommendations based off our preferences and then left us to chat. We had complimentary water and bar snacks brought to the table and replenished when we had devoured them. The drinks came over in about five minutes and they were spectacular. I had one which has sugar puffs on the top and one with a battenburg balancing on the glass. Both were some of the best cocktails I have ever tasted. As the bar got busier the standard of customer service remained the same and the host was attentive to every table (but not too much). I was so impressed and would absolutely love to go back and try some more cocktails on the menu. It was perfect for a Mother's Day afternoon drink for two but I don't know how it would fair with a big group on a night out. I would 100% recommend Wash House to anyone , even though I've broke the first rule of Wash House ... And spoke about Wash House.

50 shades cocktail
Sam H.

Pretty fun place to take people who've never been. Cocktails on average around £10 but they take a while to make and drink so you don't have time to buy too many. It's worth a visit for its quirkiness and the experience of getting in is fun. Some of the cocktails are rather wacky. The dicky julip and the 50 ish shades one were my favourites. Let them eat cake was tasty initially but too sweet for my palette! All the cocktails look cool/different so it's a treat to see what turns up each time! You also get a little bowl of snacks which is nice. Our table was right under the aircon so a bit too cold really as we were told they can't turn it off because of the rest of the room (makes sense but could have done with a jacket!) oh and it's a very dark place! It's a chilled out place and when we were there one group was told to quieten down as they were being very loud - we liked that they were told when they were ruining the atmosphere for everyone else. The staff were lovely too. Overall I liked this place as it was fun and something different but a lot of the cocktails were a bit too weird so if I went back I would get the same ones I found I liked. In all honesty I probably wouldn't go back due to the cocktails being a bit too wacky and the cost as you pay for the experience I think (which is fine every so often but not all the time).

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3 months ago

Drinks and service were both amazing! We had a few different cocktails and loved all of them.

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Review Highlights - The Washhouse

“The reservation runs £10 per person as deposit, just in case you no show, and the deposit goes toward your drinks.”

Mentioned in 2 reviews

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Dusk til Pawn - Good times @ Dusk Till Porn

Dusk til Pawn

4.0(24 reviews)
0.3 mi•Northern Quarter
•££

One of my favourite bars in Manchester. It used to be an old Pawn shop back in the day selling…read moregoods and jewellery I think. Dark, funky urban atmosphere. The service is the best and the cocktail makers are experts. Ladies order the pornstars at £7 not to bad. Fruity & delicious with a shot of champagne sorbet Guys try the 'million dollars' drink I say no more! The hawallian beer is good here 'big wave'. Plus a free duke box with retro Jackson, Lionel, Tina & James Brown tunes on. Perfect date place

For all those who are familiar with Noho at Stevenson Square or a fan like me, you will love its…read moresister pub The Pawn Shop! I did not realize it was a bar, the first few times I crossed this place because it looks more like a fancy Pawn Shop or vintage store. The concept is the create an American pub like feel quite similar to Noho (just the furniture's are new and the couches look less used). They have a wide selection of bottled beers (they don't have pints) but if you are the sorts who likes to experiment with beer you will love it! The bar staff are very well trained just like Noho and keep experimenting with cocktails and love to show off some of their cool tricks! I was here on several occasions with friends and its a great place to hang out after work because the music is not too loud but just about fine to enjoy yourself and relax! Oh I have to mention they always play my favorite tracks here (Bob Marley, RHCP, Creed) and that is the reason for my one extra star! :D The price of drinks is very friendly and reasonable so doesn't hurt your pocket much. Verdict: If you like American Style pubs with Soft Rock music playing in the background - This is will be your next regular hangout!

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Dusk til Pawn
Dusk til Pawn
Dusk til Pawn

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The Fitzgerald

The Fitzgerald

4.3(18 reviews)
0.3 mi•Northern Quarter
•££

The Fitzgerald is not even slightly a speakeasy as it has a giant obvious door with a street sign,…read morebut it does have a nice decor and atmosphere. Cocktails were universally excellent - I adored the Lemon Meringue Pie which came with a toasted topping, the Vesper was as lethal as it was smooth, the Aviatrix came with a violet "fog" which was one of the best drink gimmicks I've ever come across and the remaining drinks we had featuring mint and campari (from the first page...I can't remember their names) were also brilliant. Prices range from about £6 - 8 which is basically as good as it gets for cocktails of this quality. Music was good with the DJ playing a range from jazz to 90s R&B. Service was a bit slow at times and they totally messed up the bill but the servers were all extremely nice and friendly, it's not a snooty place at all. Highly recommended.

My absolute favourite bar in Manchester but during the week rather than the weekend!…read more I've always loved a speakeasy and am a big fan of electro swing at the moment so when I first found the Fitzgerald I was so excited. The cocktails are great and the bar staff are always willing to help out with flavours. I fell in love with the Sazerac because of this place! They have a black and white movie on a wall from a projector and great music all the time with the comfiest of sofas to relax in with a drink. Fitzgerald on a Thursday has 2 cocktails for £10 and live music which ranges from a Ceilidh to R 'n' B Jazz. Just a fantastic mix and such an easy going atmosphere that I have literally spent hours in. I hired the place out for a cocktail making class for a birthday gift for a friend and it was just amazing fun. We had three cocktails (that we got to choose based on the birthday girl's favourites) and we all got to go behind the bar to make them (8 of us taking turns) but best of all it was only around £30 a head...for the whole place to ourselves! I've been more times than I can count but now I'm in Edinburgh I do miss the place!

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The Fitzgerald
The Fitzgerald - Pose menu - a book full of treats

Pose menu - a book full of treats

The Fitzgerald - Open Mic Wednesday's!

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Open Mic Wednesday's!

Cottonopolis - Prawn Dumplings

Cottonopolis

4.0(25 reviews)
0.3 mi•Northern Quarter
•£££

I came here for dinner with friends as it had great reviews and I found the food to be quite good…read more It's like Japanese fusion served in tapas style, the flavour of everything was great and I loved all the things I ordered, which were the Salmon tataki, chicken Shumai and the broccoli side dish. The portions are on the smaller side for the price, which is about £30 per person for a meal of 3-4 dishes. The atmosphere is on the lively bougie side, they had a DJ for a while as well. I liked the decor and how vibes overall. The staff were friendly and polite but service was quite slow as it took ages to get the waiters attention to order. The one thing that disappointed me was the lack of sake ok the menu as they seemed to be a Japanese tapas bar, so sake seems like an obvious option. They only have whiskey, beer, wine and cocktails though. Also they only accept card, no cash and also American Express which I found out when I tried.. Overall good food, chic atmosphere and lively, but quite pricey, no sake and not so efficient service.

Been here a couple times since original review. Most recent times there to eat - and trying out…read moremuch of the menu. Most recently, went with friends and tried the Summer Set Menu. This was 4 small plates for just £15. Very good value! There are 4 different sections with 3 different items in each - since there was 4 of us, we tried every item - plus duplicates of what sounds the best. Depending what you get, you won't leave hungry. But it depends - the ribs are more filling than e.g. the dim sum selection. My fav from the Summer Set Menu were the ribs, and the mackerel donburi I think. Duck and watermelon salad was good even though I don't like watermelon! Fish collars were yummy too! So much of it was good! We also got dessert which was not included in the set menu - costs £6 each dessert. My rating has gone up to 5 stars from 4 because every time I have been, the food is almost spot on. Would recommend it to anyone. Service is friendly too.

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Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis - Yakatori Pork Belly

Yakatori Pork Belly

Cottonopolis - Salmon Maki

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Salmon Maki

The Washhouse - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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