This week hidden Manchester cocktail bar Speak In Code was announced as one of the very best in the UK, rankingat an impressive number 10at the Top 50 UK Bars awards.
The prestigious list, released annually, has put the small Manchester bar on the map in a whole new way – and suffice to say, the team is absolutely thrilled.
Seemingly still in shock, they released a statement to their followers on social media yesterday saying they were “completely speechless”.
Clearly overjoyed with the huge accolade, they continued: “We’re still processing this even today like, is this real?”
It’s been a difficult time for the tiny cocktail bar, which has struggled throughout the Covid pandemic with constantly having to shut and then reopen as their small team tried to keep the operation running.
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Last summer, just as they reopened and launched their new menu, three out of their team of five was hit hard with Covid and the bar was forced to close again.
Still, if anything this proves that good things really do come to those who wait – with the team absolutely overjoyed to have made the Top 50 list, after receiving the news at the beginning of the year.
“No matter what the position was, we felt nothing but happiness and gratitude to just be in the same room as some of the best bars on the planet, let alone stand amongst them on this list.”
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Image: Speak In Code
Saying that making it to number ten was “beyond our wildest dreams”, they continued “we’re just a small team of people who are super passionate about flavour exploration and hip hop”
“You all know the love we have for you guys who’ve seen us go on a difficult journey and been there to support and show us the love back, and we really do this for you.
“We’re even more motivated to get back to it and keep improving what we do. Big thank you to everyone who has supported us.”
The bar also shouted out their fellow Mancs who took home awards or made it into the shortlist, as well as nodding to the many bars north of London that received recognition this year.
Image: Speak In Code
Whilst London did dominate half of the list, there were still a large number of northern drinking spots included this year.
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In Manchester, Schofield’s Bar made it into the top 20 – ranking at number 16 – whilst Three Little Words, the bar and restaurant from Manchester Gin, took home the Bar Team of the Year award.
Newcomer Mecanica also got an honourable mention, shortlisted for the Best Newcomer award.
In total, ten of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars this year are found in the north of England.
Over in Leeds, four bars made the list with Jake’s Bar & Still Room, Roland’s, Below Stairs and Hedonist all getting a well-dseerved mention.
Further afield, Liverpool’s Present Company, Sheffield’s Public and Newcastle’s Mother Mercy are also featured, with four more – Bramble Bar & Lounge, Panda and Sons, The Absent Ear and Hay Palu – getting a shout out up in Scotland.
The full statement from Speak In Code read: “Wow! What a 24 hours it’s been…
“We started off the year with the news that we’d been voted into the official @50cocktailbars top 50 in the UK.
“No matter what the position was, we felt nothing but happiness and gratitude to just be in the same room as some of the best bars on the planet, let alone stand amongst them on this list.
“Then something happened beyond our wildest dreams. We were announce as No.10 on that list of the top 50 in the UK. I mean, we’re all completely speechless, we’re still processing this even today like, is this real?
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“You all know the love we have for you guys who’ve seen us go on a difficult journey and been there to support and show us the love back, and we really do this for you.
“We’ve always said, first and foremost we’re just a small team of people who are super passionate about flavour exploration and hip hop… If you dig that too then it’s a vibe.
“We’re even more motivated to get back to it and keep improving what we do. Big thank you to everyone who has supported us.
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.