Inside Mecanica, the swanky NQ cocktail den mixing some of Manchester’s best drinks
Aperol caviar, a spritz of Coco Chanel no.5, and Philip Aldridge (formerly of Mana) behind the bar make Mecanica a must-visit for any self-respecting Mancunian cocktail lover
Underhype and overdeliver – that could well be the mantra at Mecanica, the new (ish) Northern Quarter cocktail bar on Swan Street.
Boasting the likes of Phillip Aldridge (formerly of Manchester’s only Michelin starred restaurant Mana), alongside skilled bartenders from institutions like Dusk Til Pawn, Australasia, and London Cocktail Club, it’s already getting some serious recognition amongst Manchester’s industry crowd – as well it should.
Quietly opened in August to replace Alphabet Brewing Co‘s short-lived cocktail and wine venture The Quick Brown Fox, the swanky new drinking den is all amethyst hues and brushed velvet – giving the whole place a sort of sultry, up-to-no-good swagger that really comes into its own under the cover of darkness.
Image: Mecanica
Reminiscent of a sexily-lit hotel bar, it feels like the sort of place saucy swines might go to conduct an affair with a lover. The only thing missing, in fact, is a room upstairs.
We jest, but it’s not far off the mark. The hotel theme is a deliberate one, carrying through to the menu – a collection of elegantly assembled cocktails that draw inspiration from famous hotel rooms, both real and fictional.
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From ‘Coco Chanel Suite’, which echoes the legendary fashion designer’s famous diet of champagne and caviar (and even includes a spritz of no. 5); to ‘Fear and Loathing’, served as two separate drinks you are encouraged to enjoy apart before blending together, the execution at Mecanica is just as impeccable as its concepts.
‘Fear and Loathing’ / Image: Mecanica
In ‘Fear and Loathing’, cuttlefish ink in a coupette delivers the ‘fear’ element, whilst gooseberry-led aperitif Sipello merges with grapefruit to provide a shot of ‘loathing’ – mirroring that famous scene in which Thompson’s characters find themselves holed up sipping mezcal and Singapore Slings.
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Described as a ‘drink of two parts’, whilst you’re told to enjoy it however you please we enquire how the bartender would recommend it drunk and are told to first sip them separately, then together, for maximum effect.
Elsewhere on the menu, cleverly concocted drinks reference Wes Anderson’s 2017 short Hotel Chavelier, John and Yoko’s infamous Montreal ‘bed in’, and Tennessee Williams 1961 play Night of the Iguana – in which an alcoholic tour guide spirals out of control in a night of pure debauchery at a Mexican hotel in Puerto Vallarta.
Coco Chanel Suite / Image: Mecanica Image – Mecanica
Mood lamps on each table, meanwhile, use a colour-coded system for service: with the green meaning ‘go’, blue meaning ‘content’ and red meaning ‘bill, please’ – so at the touch of a button, smart, well-informed bartenders appeared out of nowhere to tell you in minute detail the inspiration behind each drink. A genius touch.
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Given that this particular quarter of Manchester is teeming with shouty concept bars, each clamouring for its own identity but pouring a near-identical list of party drinks, Mecanica offers a refreshing break from the norm.
Sleek, stylish and oh-so-sexy, it’s doing a bang-up job of honouring some of the capital’s top hotel bars whilst bringing something new and exciting to shake up the old Northern Quarter format of days gone by.
A must for any self-respecting Mancunian cocktail lover, it’s bringiing something new to the Northern Quarter – and we’re absolutely here for it.
Feature image – Mecanica
Capitalising on its elite credentials, this Thursday 18 November Mecanica is hosting an exclusive Heart Cut Gin masterclass with Sipsmith – bringing an experience previously only available at the London distillery to Manchester for the first time.
Priced at £15 per ticket, alongside an exclusive unique tasting you’ll also be treated to three complimentary drinks created by its expert bartenders and gin samples from the Sipsmith collection.
To find out more and book, follow Mecanica on Instagram here. To book for the Heart Cut Gin masterclass, click here.
City Centre
A restaurant dedicated to garlic bread has opened in Manchester city centre
Georgina Pellant
A new restaurant dedicated to garlic bread has opened in Manchester, and it’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
A new arrival located in Shudehill, the eatery comes from the same team behind Swan Street pizzeria Ciaooo.
The team, famed for their fluffed-up sourdough crusts and burrata-topped pies, has spent the past five years wowing Manchester diners with its pizza, not to mention the likes of fun starters like deep-fried lasagne and carbonara.
Now they’re getting ready to do it all over again with loaded garlic bread – this time operating out of a unit in Shudehill, formerly home to Manchester’s X-rated d*ck waffle cafe Mr. D*cks.
Open from 12-6pm daily with a focus on the lunch rush, at the team’s new loaded garlic bread shop classic options include ‘plain’ with garlic butter and ‘cheese’ with butter, mozzarella and parmesan, priced between £5 and £5.50.
Inside Ciaooo’s new garlic bread shop. / Image: The Manc Eats
A gorgeous pesto and burrata topped garlice bread (foreground). / Image: The Manc Eats
From here, it gets even more exciting with the likes of ‘Cacio E Pepe’, ‘Pesto’, ‘Marinara’ and ‘Truffle’ loaded garlic bread all on offer.
We’re talking Ciaooo’s signature fluffy base, with a choice of added tomato, garlic, oregano, truffle, burrata, housemade pesto, parmesan, black pepper and more, with the most expensive loaded garlic bread priced at £6.50.
Elsewhere, you’ll find 10″ pizzettes – smaller versions of Ciaooo’s ever-popular pizzas – available from just £5-7.
Choices here include classics like Margherita and not one but two styles of Marinara, plus a Toscana (parma ham, truffle oil, parmesan), Chorizo (salami, chorizo, mozzarella), Calabrese (n’duja sausage and burrata) and The Smoked (smoked pepperoni, crispy onion and burrata).
Elsewhere, you can get your hands on hot slices of deep-fried lasagne, as well as Oreo milkshakes, hot coffees and cold fizzy cans of coke, San Pellegrino and more.
N’duja and Honey garlic bread (back) and Calabrese pizza. / Image: The Manc Eats
The Toscana Pizette loaded with parma ham, tomato, mozzarella, truffle oil, parmesan). / Image: The Manc Eats
Head chef Stefano Mordecchi comes with a strong pizza pedigree, having earned his crust at Double Zero in Chorlton before going on to open his own restaurants alongside Lory Grigore.
Previous successful ventures opened under the Ciaoo name include its popular but shortlived pasta stall inside Manchester Arndale Market.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
City Centre
Luxury Manchester hotel named one of the ‘best places to stay in the world’
Georgina Pellant
A luxury Manchester hotel has been named one of the best places to stay in the world after TripAdvisor revealed its 2023 list of top-rated hotel destinations.
Dakota Manchester on Ducie Street – which boasts a dedicated Champagne room, brandy and cigar garden, elegant private dining areas, and a stunning waterside brasserie – has been crowned the sixth-best hotel in the UK.
Appearing on a list of ‘the best places to stay in the world’, Dakota is representing the north west as the only hotel from the region to make the cut. It is also one of only three hotels in the top 10 not based in London.
Of Dakota Manchester’s 1,700 reviews, 1,557 are categorised as ‘excellent’ – with guests commenting on the hotel as being ‘outstanding’, ‘the best in Manchester’, and ‘absolutely unreal’.
Reviews also note the hotel’s stylish decor, comfortable beds and excellent service.
Dakota boasts a range of luxurious bedrooms, and also lays claim to the title of Manchester’s largest and most extravagant suite: the ‘Grand Deluxe’.
Image: Dakota
Image: Dakota
With 137 luxury bedrooms and 20 different luxury suits to choose from, it offers the largest range of premium bedrooms of any hotel in the city, as well as boasting its own glitzy cocktail bar, restaurant and waterside terrace.
Speaking on the award win, Matt Townley, Regional Operations Director at Dakota, commented: “It’s a real honour to have been recognised as one of the UK’s best hotels.
“This accolade is testament to the hard work of our exceptional team, who deliver memorable experiences for every guest.
“Our people are our passion, and we are incredibly grateful for all the glowing feedback they receive from our valued guests.”
“To be the sole property in the North West named in the Top 10 is an incredible honour – we are delighted to fly the flag for outstanding service in the region!”
Georgina Pellant -
16th November 2021 
