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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Soak up those chemicals with delicious ribs, burgers, and veggie options and salads.
Featured Image – NQ64
Eats
Mouro opens third coffee shop on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter
Daisy Jackson
South Manchester’s beloved independent coffee brand Mouro has opened its third location – and this time, they’ve headed to the Northern Quarter.
The stylish neighbourhood coffee bar has taken over a vacant unit on Tib Street, serving speciality coffee as well as sandwiches, cinnamon buns, and pastries.
The two-storey venue has been kitted out beautifully (but that’s no surprise – the team here are also behind So Marrakech in Altrincham).
There are comfy banquette seats in the window, marble and wood sunburst tables, terrazzo floors, hanging wooden lights, and all sorts of other carefully thought-out design details that set it apart from everything else in the Northern Quarter.
Outside, they’ve preserved a lot of the character of Tib Street, painting their sign directly onto the old brickwork above the door.
Mouro is already a well-established name in Heaton Moor and Altrincham, where it’s built up a loyal following for its house-roasted small-batch coffee beans.
In the Northern Quarter, you can pick up a bag of beans to take home with you – and if you do, they’ll make you a fresh coffee to take away with it.
Cinnamon buns at MouroInside Mouro on Tib StreetSandwichesThe newest Mouro opens on Saturday 15 MayMouro is opening in the Northern Quarter
Alongside those house blend and single-origin coffees, there’s a whole spread of cinnamon buns, including ones made with an espresso frosting (again, made with their own roasted coffee).
There are also sandwiches and other bakes to have in or take away.
Mouro will open its doors at 68 Tib Street on Saturday 16 May, with free coffees and matcha from 9am to 12pm on launch day.
Mouro will then be open Monday to Sunday, 8am to 4pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 4pm.
Inside Tyga, as a Manchester favourite changes its stripes for a new era
Danny Jones
We recently had the pleasure of visiting Tyga, Manchester city centre’s latest Indian restaurant, which has taken the place of former local favourite, Asha’s.
The Peter Street spot had always been a great place for a curry and progressive takes on the nation’s staples, often pulling inspiration from the Rajasthan region, but now the unit is the start of a new chapter.
In truth, the food was always pretty damn good here – often truly great, even – as we found out the last time we reviewed it; however, it’s clear that there’s been a greater honing of the concept.
Put simply, Tyga is trying to elevate what the team already did so well, whilst adding an extra layer of fine-dining refinement.
@the.manc Peter Streets Indian spot Tyga, has had a serious glow-up, bringing a more refined, fine-dining take on Indian cuisine while keeping all the bold flavours at the heart of it. The 24-hour slow-simmered lamb shank is an absolute must, as is the butter chicken which just melts in your mouth. 😍 It’s not just about the food here though, with an extensive cocktail list that brings theatre to the table, they’re the perfect accompaniment to your table full of scran. It’s the perfect spot for date night, celebrations, or when you just want to seriously impress someone over dinner. 🍸 Get it booked. 📍 47 Peter Street, M2 3NG #themanc#tygamanchester#manchesterfoodie#manchestercurry#wheretoeatinmanchester♬ original sound – The Manc
You hear sentences like a ‘contemporary twist on cuisine’ and ‘modern approaches to classics’ recycled quite a lot, and we get it: it can be a great way to get across that you’re trying to push culinary tradition(s) forward, but it often feels a bit of a throwaway term that’s used far too much.
That being said, while there’s definitely a feeling of familiarity to this recently refreshed foodie lineup, this is one of the times and places where it actually seems like that phrase means something.
While the building and stunning venue itself might have stayed largely the same, bar some knick-knacks being swapped for a few different tiger-based decorations, the authentic clay-pot lamb, ‘Tyga’ prawns, salmon tikka, and Vepudu spiced stir fry show some real innovation.
A lot of these might be rooted in a kind of food we know very well here in Britain, but these latest iterations in recipes and experimentation with their components result in some very cool creations.
The ember wings were smoky and moorish in a way that we’ve not had in a restaurant like this before, and the lamb chops alone were worth ordering by the wheelbarrow full.
Small plates have also been thrown into the mix more seamlessly this time around, too, as have some of the Indo-Chinese options that feel less like a footnote now and, instead, like a continuation of the tweaking and trying out new things seen throughout the rest of the offerings.
Even the vegetarian/vegan section of the menu has been lifted in certain aspects, too, with previously popular dishes being brought back better and more beautifully presented than ever.
Before we forget, a special shout-out goes to those beetroot dill patties.
Speaking of presentation, although they might have simplified some stuff (such as the okra fries that simply need to be dumped on the table and be devoured in seconds by gannets like us), as mentioned, plenty of other bits have been levelled up.
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that they’ve just been voted alongside some fellow standout spots by the Asian Catering Federation.
They’ve never shied away from a bit of pageantry, and nothing has changed in that respect.
Everything from the plating to even giving you a rotating water jug that revolves on a single point and never spills has a bit of flair, without being too much or straying into gimmicky territory.
Most importantly of all, whether you want a classy room for your next date night, somewhere intimate the next time you go out for tea with your partner, or still fancy a more banquet-style feast for you and your mates in the form of the updated ‘Maharaja’s Grand Platter’, Tyga can turn its paw to any occasion.
Dolly Busby -
12th October 2021 
