Bar mixologists (old and new) in Manchester are constantly creating unreal concoctions to knock our socks off (or knock us off our stool), but we now have even greater confirmation just how impressive the city’s cocktail bars are. Announcing the winners yesterday evening (February 7), Top 50 Cocktail Bars revealed a number of Manchester spots had made the list as some of the best in the UK.
According to the Top 50 Cocktail Bars, the list is compiled by the bar industry, making it a unique list of venues those in the know like to visit. The organisers recruit over 100 industry experts which make up the voting academy, from bartenders and owners, to drinks writers and influencers in order to curate an extra special list that has something for every type of drinker.
Despite the list mainly being dominated by London bars, Schofield’s Bar, run by sibling team Joe and Daniel Schofield who are taking on their first restaurant venture within the Stock Exchange Hotel, managed to knock a few of the capital’s bars down a peg or two by coming in at fourth place.
Top 50 Cocktail Bars described the bar as “impressive”, raving about its art deco menu and menu of classic, perfectly crafted cocktails that take centre stage. The organisers also praised the Schofield brothers for including their favourite books that guests can read while sipping a cocktail, a rather unique offering for a cocktail bar. Some of the book and cocktail combinations include Casino Royale, served with a Vesper Martini; Cocktail, served with a Singapore Sling; and The Old Man and the Sea, served with a Mojito.
Not far behind Schofield’s was underrated city centre haunt Speak In Code who came eighth, up two places compared to last year’s awards. The Spinningfields bar serves up creative cocktails with a 1920’s vibe, hidden down a quiet street just off of Deansgate.
The award organisers said it was the “high quality service, delicious food and of course outstanding cocktails” that made the bar worthy of the top ten, with its “imaginative list of ingredients to its exciting plant-based menu”, in particular, making it rather special.
Also making the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list was Blinker, coming in at 41st place with the judges admiring the snacks available to enjoy with your drink such as truffle crisps, cacio e pepe toasties with three types of cheese and black pepper or a sausage roll with mustard. Plus, not only did three establishments make the top 50 list but the organisers also gave a special award to new cocktail bar on the block Halycon, crowning it ‘One to Watch’, which is chosen to highlight a bar which hasn’t made the list but has all the makings of a Top 50 bar.
For the full list head to the Top 50 Cocktail Bars website here.