Dear readers — today our drinks writer Matthew Curtis is back with another edition of his increasingly popular column on all things drinking in Manchester. But what should we call it?
Curtis has suggested First Draught as one option, The Usual as another. The more conceptual of his suggestions include The Pintle (a small part of a mill which sits at the end of a shaft and runs into a bearing) and What’s Doing? (previously the name of the long-defunct Greater Manchester CAMRA magazine). Got any thoughts on these ideas? Got any more ideas? We’ll see you in the comments, and we promise to have picked one by next month.
Onto today’s edition. This Wednesday, Curtis is talking cocktails. What’s he got to say about them? Apparently – like an ageing bourbon ready to be transformed into a beautiful Old Fashioned, or something like that – Manchester’s cocktail scene is finally coming into its own. And, Curtis argues, our city centre cocktail bars have one thing London’s simply never will: they’re all within walking distance of each other, so you can wander from one to the other getting increasingly more drunk (and poor).
Curtis did exactly that. Read on for a mini-deep-dive into the ins and outs of our flourishing mixology scene, followed by a ranking of our finest cocktail bars, and the most delicious cocktails to get in each one — including but not limited to tomato vine Margaritas; mushroom, walnut and apricot Old Fashioneds; and a drink that tastes “like biting straight into a fresh, juicy (and very boozy) apple”. Enjoy!
TfGM are carrying out tram improvement works at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar
From 13th July to 2nd August there will be:
• No trams on the Altrincham, Eccles and The Trafford Centre lines.
• No trams on the Manchester Airport and East Didsbury lines between Firswood and the city centre.
• Rochdale trams will terminate at Exchange Square.
Travelling towards the city centre? A replacement bus will call at all affected tram stops (except Pomona), terminating at Piccadilly.
Travelling away from the city centre? Head to Piccadilly and follow signs for replacement buses. Buses will depart from Whitworth Street or Aytoun Street towards your destination.
You must pay before you board the replacement bus: tap in and out at tram stops as usual, or buy a 1-day Bee Bus ticket on the Bee Network app.
Interested in sponsoring The Mill? Get in touch.
Manchester enters its cocktail golden age
Five years ago it might have been difficult to imagine walking into a bar in Manchester and ordering a pickled onion Space Raider-infused cocktail, but nevertheless that’s what I’ve just done.
This article is for paying members only
Join The Mill for full access to this story, plus four great features delivered to your inbox every week — and the knowledge that you're supporting a new model of local news that puts quality and honesty first.
From £8.95/month · cancel anytime
Get full accessAlready have an account? Sign In
