Step into the wardrobe, brush past the fur coats, and find yourself in wonderful world of Narnia – that is, if Narnia was a modern, minimalist, and classy secret cocktail bar in Manchester.
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Excellent ratings from all those in on the secret thanks to its award winning cocktails and enticingly mysterious menu, Speak in Code is split into three parts – signatures (Tracks), B-sides (untitled), and ClasSICS.
Sustainability is the bar’s main secret, with a wide range of simple and comforting vegetarian and vegan small plates available until 2am that include everything from BBQ Cauliflower Wings, BBQ Jackfruit, and Smokey Carrot Dogs.
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Speak in Code is cosy, private, and secret – quick, go and it before everyone else does.
Slip on something sexy because this bar is steamy, and once you enter through the red door, you can lose yourself (and your dignity) in a melting pot of boogie, soul and up-beat funk, and debauchery.
There’s a selection of top quality cocktails at an intimate underground bar that’s buzzing with life and expectation.
The novelty is, apart from the racy pictures lining the walls, each booth comes equipped with an old fashioned phone. Why you ask? Well, Behind Closed Doors is simply providing you with a hotline – “Dial naught for the bar or naughtier for your fellow guests”.
With a great vibe, sturdy furniture, cast iron tables, hardwood floors, and a marble bar, this simple but highly-regarded bar is the kind of place you just stumble upon, but you’re really glad you said.
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The clean cut and professional cocktail menu provides good value, with just the recognisable favourites on the menu – but of the highest quality.
Renowned for it’s brilliant service, the staff go above and beyond, so you’re in safe hands here.
Take a trip back to the future as you descend down into the neon chaos of NQ64 and never return. You can get lost in your childhood playing the collection of retro video games, except this time you’re legal so go on, grab a cocktail while you’re at it.
Re-ignite that love for Super Nintendo, battle with your mates at Space Invaders, and give Sonic’s legs a stretch – it’s been a while.
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NQ64 is nostalgic night out and one you’re sure to keep returning to.
NQ64 Peter Street / Credit: NQ64 Arcade BarThe Daisy / Credit: The Daisy
Just below Evelyn’s Cafe Bar on Tib Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter is a bar c’est tres rose – basically, it’s very pink and oozes French vibes.
Whoever’s the interior designer is, we want their number, as the funky and quirky decor at The Daisy serves loads of quality backdrops for your Instagram grid, and the mismatched style means everyone can take a few tips.
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Feel pretty in pink, and just down-right classy among the beautiful interiors.
At first glance, this is just your regular run of the mill washroom, but if you hang around long enough, you can see if your curiosity leads you into the right place.
Here’s the key – pick up the retro phone and you will be told to go through the washing machine, or maybe through the vending machine, and what lies within is a super-cool and exclusive bar that’s equipped with disco toilets and Manchester-themed cocktails. I
nspired by the famous Ian Brown quote, ‘Everything But A Beach’ contains Peach Vermouth, Ginger Saccharum, Ceylon Arrak, RinQuinQuin and Pistachio Water.
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But be warned, “if your name’s not on the list, you’re not coming in” so make sure to make a booking in advance if you want to wash your worries away.
Quaint, old, cosy, and perfect for an intimate chat – Arcane is the definition of a hidden gem.
Located in the basement of the historic Queens Chamber, Arcane has restored the old brickwork to its former glory and put in a green tiled bar, along with book shelves set into exposed red-brick walls and mismatched quirky furniture to create an antique vibe.
If you’re looking for low-lighting intellectual mood, this is your place.
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We when we say ‘looking’ we mean it – it is a secret, after all.
The Temple of Convenience / Credit: Wikimedia CommonsScience and Industry / Credit: Cane and Grain
Situated on one of the city’s busiest streets, it’s easy to overlook this bar, but maybe that’s what it wants? The Temple is an iconic Manchester music attraction, being that it’s a public toilet turned classy bar – a classic revival story, and one we’re so here for.
One of Manchester’s smallest bars filled with foreign beers that’s perfect to dip into after work, or for an atmospheric date night, the atmosphere is clean and cosy, and a far cry from the public toilet it used to be.
Follow the steep steps down and sink bellow the busy pavement – no one would know you’re there.
You can make a new scientific discovery by stepping into this funky laboratory in the heart of the Northern Quarter, as science is both the name and the game at Science and Industry.
Serving you with complex cocktails that fizz, bubble and dissolve in your mouth, you can have fun experimenting with your nearest and dearest for a top of the class evening.
Making new ventures in cocktails, one called ‘You Feta Believe It’ is made up of feta and tomato pisco waqar, lemon juice, whites, red grape shrub and syrup – and that’s just a taster of what’s in store.
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Soak up those chemicals with delicious ribs, burgers, and veggie options and salads.
Featured Image – NQ64
Eats
The 10 restaurant and bar closures that shocked Greater Manchester in 2025
Daisy Jackson
Greater Manchester has one of the most exciting and fastest-growing restaurant scenes on the planet – but that doesn’t make our city immune from hospitality closures, as 2025 has shown.
Given the economic climate and the increasing pressures on hospitality, it’s actually shocking (and a relief) that we haven’t lost even more beloved local spots.
In 2025, there have been some high-profile closures in Manchester that no one saw coming, as we bid a sad farewell to some local legends.
The good news is that the number of openings still outstrips the number of closures – you can see some of the biggest spots we welcomed last year HERE.
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Almost Famous
Greater Manchester
Almost Famous / Credit: The Manc Group
It’s no surprise that this was one of the biggest stories in Manchester in 2025, because we simply could not believe our eyes when Almost Famous announced its closure.
The burger craze of the mid-2010s may have died down, but this spot had always felt like a Northern Quarter OG with a loyal enough following to stand the test of time.
Alas, it closed its doors very suddenly back in January, shortly followed by its sister smash burger brand Super Awesome Deluxe, with a staggering outcry and a lot of fall-out locally.
Thankfully, a short while later it was rescued by the team behind PINS Social Club.
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Hip Hop Chip Shop
Ancoats
Hip Hop Chip Shop / Credit: The Manc Group
Another sad day for the Manchester food scene arrived in February, when Ancoats favourite The Hip Hop Chip Shop announced its closure.
Having first opened in 2014 as a street food stall, to opening their own site in Ancoats, the present financial pressures took their toll, and Hip Hop Chip Shop shut its shutters just a few weeks later.
We still fantasise about their battered halloumi.
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Another Heart To Feed
Northern Quarter
Another Heart to Feed / Credit: The Manc Group
It felt like one of the Northern Quarter’s top brunch spots, and with queues around the block nearly all the time, seemed like a safe spot.
But the award-winning Another Heart to Feed’s popularity was not enough to overcome the challenges facing the industry.
In their statement, this lovely brunch spot and wine bar thanked customers and staff, past and present – you can read more here.
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Mother Mary’s
Oxford Road
Mother Mary’s / Credit: The Manc Group
One of Manchester’s newest Irish bars announced its sudden and immediate closure in November, citing financial pressures.
Mother Mary’s took over the old student haunt that was Font bar, just off Oxford Road, filling the venue with a state-of-the-art sound system for hosting live music and club nights.
It was much more than just an Irish bar and had become a safe space for so many locals – accessible, queer-inclusive, independent, and dedicated to championing local talent.
One of Manchester’s most legendary bars closed its doors after 13 beautiful years in the city earlier this year, shocking us and everyone who loved it.
Sandinista quietly shut down in October, throwing one final knees-up for loyal (and very sad) punters.
The bar, just off St Ann’s Square, was famed for its menu of beers, tequila, and cocktails, including a pint of Zombie served on fire.
There’ll never be another one like it.
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Bohemian Arts Club
Stockport
Bohemian Arts Club / Credit: The Manc Group
Stockport lost a good one back in September – Bohemian Arts Club, the stunning cocktail bar launched by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie, closed for good.
It had been a much-loved addition to town, a real vintage-style speakeasy serving top quality drinks, and you could feel all the love the couple had poured into it (even down to the heart-shaped chairs handmade by Katie’s mum and dad).
Thankfully, it stayed in the family – Katie’s incredibly successful Bohemian Salon has expanded from downstairs to take over the entire three-storey building.
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Feel Good Club
Northern Quarter
Feel Good Club / Credit: Supplied
After five incredible years in the city, brewing up some of the finest coffee, serving an all-day brunch menu full of all your favourite comfort food dishes, hosting countless events, and just generally being a wholesome community space for anyone and everyone who needs it, it’s the end of the road for Feel Good Club.
Founders Kiera and Aimie sadly announced they would be closing the doors to their Northern Quarter cafe in the summer, after struggling to stay afloat this past year like so many other local indies.
They said: “We’ve had the time of our lives, and met the most incredible people along the way.”
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Kala
Manchester City Centre
It was part of Gary Usher’s acclaimed group of restaurants, but Elite Bistros shut down one of its top spots earlier this year.
City centre bistro Kala closed for good back in June, with a heartfelt and very honest statement.
Usher wrote: “Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.”
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Medlock Canteen
New Jackson
Medlock Canteen / Credit: The Manc Group
Just months after celebrating its first birthday, Medlock Canteen announced it was moving out of the Deansgate Square neighbourhood.
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The brilliant local restaurant served a really gorgeous menu that included rotisserie chicken, full English breakfasts, and quite possibly Manchester’s best Caesar salad.
It was all proper hearty food that you actually want to eat, with a stunning mid-century restaurant space and great drinks too.
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Osma
Prestwich
Osma / Credit: The Manc Group | Osma
Prestwich’s burgeoning restaurant scene was dealt a major blow at the start of 2025, when Osma announced its closure.
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The Scandi-esque restaurant was a front-runner of Prestwich’s ever-growing food and drink scene since it opened in 2020, fronted by Manchester born Danielle Heron, who you might recognise from the Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, alongside Sofie Stoermann-Naess.
You can still find their brilliant cooking at Exhibition in the city centre, but as for the restaurant itself, Osma said they ‘struggled to find experience staff, leaving us with little to no personal life’.
Sorely missed.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group
Eats
One in six Brits would rather have a curry than a Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
One in six Brits would apparently rather have a curry on Christmas Day in place of a traditional roast dinner, a new survey has revealed.
With the big day merely moments away, it won’t be long before we all sit down to tuck into what is always one of the biggest and heartiest meals of the whole year – but, if the results of a new survey is anything to go by, for a good chunk of Brits, this year’s Christmas feast won’t be the typical roast turkey that tradition’s always called for.
Instead, one in six would rather stray off the beaten track and opt for an Indian instead.
After a shocking survey by Next revealed last year that more than 12 million Brits think Yorkshire puddings belong with your Christmas dinner, around 1,000 UK adults have been polled by instatprint this time around to discover what’s making it on the festive feasting plate in just a few weeks time.
And, as to be expected, some weird and wonderful food combinations feature on the list, with over a third of Brits apparently planning on having sausages instead of the usual Christmas meats, and chips and beans also seem to be on the menu for the fussier eaters among us too.
One in six Brits would apparently rather have a curry than a Christmas dinner / Credit: Andy Hay (via Unsplash)
Chicken nuggets, eggs, caviar, goat’s cheese, haggis, and chimichurri were some of the other rogue choices given by some of the survey respondents.
Then, when it comes to the accompanying sides to the main event, 11% even revealed they plan on tucking into some macaroni cheese with their Christmas dinner this year, with another 11% sharing that mushy peas are a must on their plate too.
17% of Brits will be enjoying mustard, 13% will be squirting ketchup on their roast, and 7% will apparently be enjoying a dollop of mayonnaise too.
It’s all according to the results from a surprising new survey / Credit: Nicole Michalou (via Pexels)
But while some clearly like to freestyle their Christmas dinner and pop whatever they fancy on the plate, others are apparently ditching the norm all together, as the survey has revealed that only half of Brits are set on having their traditional Christmas dinner this year.
As mentioned, almost one in six would much rather tuck into an Indian curry, but not only that, 6% of us would rather have a Chinese, 5% would enjoy Mexican, and another 5% would opt for tapas if it was an option too.
Dolly Busby -
12th October 2021 
