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 fantastic pub near Manchester Airport that’s a perfect plane-spotting site
Daisy Jackson
Forget rooftop bars and waterfront terraces – this pub comes with front-row seats to one of the busiest runways in the UK.
Just 50 feet from the end of Manchester Airport’s runway, The Airport Pub is where lunch comes with a side of jumbo jets.
If you’re an aviation enthusiast, or plane-spotting has never appealed until you factor in the idea of doing it with a pint in hand, this is the spot to check out. Bonus points if you whip out FlightRadar.
With an outdoor area for the kids too, it’s an easy win for a family day out.
Planes roar overhead every few minutes, thanks to the pub’s obvious proximity to the busy runways of Manchester Airport.
Step inside and the aviation theme continues, with propeller-style chandeliers, jet engine booth seating and other plane-inspired touches that make the pub feel every bit as unique as its location.
But if you ask us, the best seats in the house are outside, where you can tuck into a hearty pub lunch (hello, cheese and onion pie) while watching the constant parade of arrivals.
Cheese and onion pieInside the Airport Pub in ManchesterA pint in the Airport Pub beer gardenPropellor chandeliers inside the Airport PubPlanes land just 50ft from the beer gardenYou can sit inside a booth built from an old engineThe Hangar bar outsideFried chicken and waffles
For an even better view, head over to The Hangar, the pub’s outdoor bar, where you can grab a pint or an ice cream before claiming one of the picnic benches just metres from the runway.
It’s surprisingly easy to lose track of time as everything from short-haul jets to giant long-haul aircraft passes right in front of you.
The Airport Pub isn’t just about the view either. Its family-friendly atmosphere, spacious beer garden and classic diner-style menu make it a great stop whether you’re waiting for a flight, entertaining the kids or simply fancying one of the most memorable pub experiences in the country.
Rivington Brewing Co – The beautiful country walk that ends at a taproom with stunning views
Daisy Jackson
After a long afternoon of trudging through the countryside in whatever weather conditions the North throws at you, there’s nothing quite like the reward of a crisp pint.
And on a particularly beautiful walk right on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, we stumbled upon a taproom that might just provide the best drinking background in the region.
Let’s start with the walk details.
If you haven’t yet been exploring the trails and paths around Rivington, you’re missing out on a real stunner of a hike.
There are countless loops you can do around the area, providing the best bits of all countryside settings.
You want woods? They’ve got em. A nice flat walk beside a body of water? Rivington’s got it. A decent uphill trudge ending in absolutely stunning views? Yep, that’s here too.
A highlight of this corner of the North West is the Rivington Terraced Gardens, which will try to transport you to Italy and Japan all while only just stepping outside Bolton.
These 100-year-old gardens were created by the Lord of Leverhulme and inspired by his travels, and have been carefully restored in recent years by teams of volunteers.
Walking around the footpaths and flights of steps you’ll stumble upon a hidden Japanese Garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves, ending up at the top of Rivington Pike with panoramic views.
Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR
From here, you can keep going along to Winter Hill for arguably even more impressive views, or start to loop back down the hill to the water’s edge, passing Liverpool Castle as you go.
And here is where the beer comes in.
If you pass through the village of Rivington itself and walk along Horrobin Lane which crosses the two reservoirs, you’ll find yourself at the Rivington Brew Co Tap.
This is huge taproom is a haven for modern craft beer, with absolutely loads of brews to choose from and a can fridge if the 20-odd taps don’t have what you fancy.
There’s plenty of cosy spaces inside the fairylight-strewn converted barn building, but the beer garden is the star of the show.
Inside the bar at Rivington Brew Co TapSo many pints to choose fromThe Rivington Brew Co Tap beer garden
There are views from here right across the water and all the way to Pigeon Tower and Winter Hill, with plenty of space for big groups.
And dotted all around the outdoor area are a rotating selection of street food traders, serving everything from pizza to burgers to cakes.
In situ currently, you’ll find Bun Chicken Bun, who are serving up a menu of 24-hour-brined crispy chicken, as burgers, tenders, Caesar salads, and loads more.
They’ve also got pots of mac and cheese that will give you such a long mozzarella cheese pull, you’ll have to stand up to snap it.
Chicken burger and loaded fries from Bun Chicken BunPots of macaroni cheeseMargo’s pizzasBun Chicken Bun’s homemade chicken gravyA spread of food from the traders at Rivington Brew Co Tap
AND they’re doing loads of loaded fries, other sides like corn ribs, and incredible chicken gravy.
Across the courtyard you’ll find Margo’s, serving New York-style pizzas on charming checkerboard plates.
These brilliant thin and crispy slices come topped with everything from fried chicken (a collab with Bun Chicken Bun), blue cheese and buffalo sauce; to parma ham, fresh rocket and balsamic.
And completing the trifecta of street food traders is Meld (devastatingly, not open the day we visited), which is bringing great burgers and tacos to Rivington Taproom.
They’re also serving what I think might be Greater Manchester’s first beer garden small plates, like king prawns in gochujang butter, burrata and peach toast, and padron peppers.
If you’re looking for a belting Saturday afternoon activity, this is absolutely the one.
You can look a walk in the area that suits your ability here.
Dolly Busby -
12th October 2021 
