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 Voyeur, a mysterious new post-punk 80s-inspired cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
A brand new cocktail bar is set to open in Manchester this week, with dark and mysterious interiors, 80s inspiration, and a raunchy theme.
Voyeur is opening in the heart of the Northern Quarter, and here it’s all about modern drinks in a post-punk 80s setting.
The walls are decorated with beautiful voyeurism photography from the 80s, including artists like David Hockney, Nick Taggart, and Malerie Marder.
Even the menus celebrate the artistic side of voyeurism, with drinks presented within a book of photography.
Those drinks include creative twists on drinks dating back more than a century, from the Kaleidescope of Lies (a two-in one cocktail inspired by a pina colada, with a strawberry daiquiri foam top) to The Voyeur (made with coriander-infused tequila for a savoury punch).
There’ll be monthly themed specials, kicking off with The Breakfast Club, where seasonal drinks take inspiration from Lucky Charms cereal, chai latte and an acai bowl.
Cocktails inspired by The Breakfast Club at VoyeurCocktails at Voyeur in the Northern QuarterInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barVoyeur on Oldham StreetThe cocktail menu is presented as a photography book
The dark space is lit by marble table lamps and a glittering green disco ball (and not much else), perfect for an evening spent sipping cocktails into the early hours.
Between Thursdays and Sundays, Voyeur will have DJs spinning vinyls.
Voyeur is opening this week on Oldham Street and will be open from 5pm to 2am between Tuesday and Sunday.
A brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop in a former Manc food spot
Thomas Melia
Sweet lovers and dessert connoisseurs alike, a brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop is opening in Manchester city centre this month.
Titled ‘Baby Mayhem’, this sweet-filled shop has been teasing its arrival for the past month with videos showcasing everything from new instalments to their graffiti-style logo.
This brand-new opening will be located on Radium Street, not too far away from Chinese superstar Wing Yip and fellow sweet treat specialists, Flat Baker, right in the heart of Ancoats.
The interior has been given a very nice and bright facelift too, going from an all white four-walled site to a bold and distinctive baby pink-covered site.
Manchester seems to have quite the sweet tooth at the moment, as it was only last month that our Northern Quarter was christened by cake gods, Get Baked.
As for this new dessert shop, they’re starting from scratch, with a temporary wooden window frame with their branding spray-painted onto it fitted ahead of their soft launch later this week.
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the much-loved Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria shop, and it really is out with the old, in with the new, as the familiar neon ‘No Lasagne’ sign has been traded for a sweeter read of ‘Fresh Donuts’.
It may be Yank spelling, but this still feels Manc through and through.
Case and point: all their signage, stamps and stencils have been done by local laser cutting service and neighbours, Drawn By The Light – also on Radium Street.
Enough salt, let’s have a serious amount of sugar. (Credit: Baby Mayhem via Instagram)
Baby Mayhem are taking sweet treats to the complete extreme, serving up everyone’s beloved combo of coffees and cakes, while also creating our soon-to-be-favourite indulgence: doughnut sandwiches. 10/10, no notes – genius.
There really are no complaints here; what’s not to love?
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the former Lazy Tony’s site, 23 Radium Street in Ancoats, and will be serving up their sweet treats for all to try from this Saturday, 26 April.
Daisy Jackson -
8th March 2024 
