When the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars list was announced last month, it’s safe to say Manchester cleaned up.
Our city’s fantastic bar scene managed to take the number one spot with Schofield’s, along with Blinker (6th), Speak In Code (12th), and Project Halcyon (21st).
But the rest of the bars on the prestigious list are a bit further afield – at least, until now.
For there are so many events taking place at bars across town in the next week that you’ll be able to sample 12 of the country’s best bars without needing to board a single train.
The great and good of the country’s hospitality industry will all be piling in up north for the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibit at Manchester Central.
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And as always, the city will be buzzing with special events at bars and restaurants all over the city centre.
Right then, back to the boozing.
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Stray x Callooh Callay. Credit: Supplied
First up will be Callooh Callay at Stray bar (a newcomer that’s surely in with a shot at the Top 50 next year).
London’s Callooh Callay placed 38th this year, and it’s a bar that’s really standing the test of time, having first opened in 2008.
They’ve won a long list of accolades over the years with their themed menus and creative approach, and are promising Manchester an evening of ‘serious nonsense’.
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On the same day, you’ll find Copenhagen’s Ruby bar (which has previously placed in the Top 50 in the world) at Blinker on Spring Gardens.
Blinker in Manchester made the top 10 of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
For one night only, they’ll be serving up a taste of Copenhagen here in Manchester, utilising Danish products in their drinks.
It’s walk-ins only between 4pm and 9pm.
Project Halcyon has got it all happening on Wednesday, brining four of the country’s best bars together in its hidden gem Bonded Warehouse venue.
There’ll be Murder Inc (15th), The Hideout (25th) and Callooh Callay (38th) behind the bar from 6pm.
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And the third-best bar in the UK this year, Birmingham’s Passing Fancies, will be taking over part of Thomas Street.
Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc GroupProject Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
The Thomas Street Takeover will also involve Manolo from Liverpool and El Guapo from Newcastle, who’ll each take one floor at Cane and Grain for the night.
Amaro Bar, which just this year made it to number eight in the Top 50 Bars, along with Twice Shy will be joining 10 Tib Lane behind their beautiful bar – and this one involves a free drink to the first 25 people through the doors.
All that, of course, is in addition to the rest of the Top 50 list that is homegrown talent – Schofields, Speak In Code, and ‘one to watch’ Red Light.
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Daisy Jackson
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.
Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.
With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.
Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.
They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.
The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.
And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.
Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.
They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”
They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.
British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.
A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
8th March 2024 
