Food & Drink

First Manchester…then the world: Northern Quarter cocktail bar Cane & Grain eyes global domination

Manchester’s latest cocktail bar has laid down the gauntlet to its Northern Quarter rivals by proclaiming it will be the ‘best bar in the world’.

Cane & Grain is set to provide Manchester liquor enthusiasts with a unique cocktail experience – and the brains behind the boozer believe they can make up for the ‘lack of classic cocktail bars’ in the city. 

The new three-floor bar concept, the newest venture backed by the owners of the awarding-winning Black Dog Ballroom and Dog Bowl and the Liars Club, will fill the gap in the market for a Manchester cocktail bar this July replacing Thomas Restaurant and Bar, which closed its doors recently.

The Liars Club legend and rum expert Lyndon Higginson said: “There is a distinct lack of classic cocktail bars in Manchester and our first floor bar is going to fill that gap.

“We aren’t just aiming for the best bar in Manchester, we want to be the best bar in the world.”

A rum, ribs, bourbon and beer theme runs throughout the new bar and eatery which gives a nod to the 80’s skate scene and its hedonistic excesses on the ground floor.

The first floor is a sit-down-only relaxed hideaway that is kitted out with antiques including copper bar tops, homemade bitters and syrups.

The next level will house Manchester’s first bar laboratory where bartenders will be concocting and developing new and unique drinks and ideas – although specific details are still being kept under wraps.

The food menu, created by Dog Bowl chef Barry Gamble, will offer a selection of ribs and other favourite side orders.

Founder of the Black Dog Ballroom Group Ross Mackenzie said: “This concept is something totally new for us and we are really looking forward to revealing it in the Northern Quarter where our Black Dog Ballroom success began. 

“We have built a strong team around Lyndon and Barry and hope to offer spectacular food and drinks with something a bit different from that the NQ is used to.”

Co-owner Jobe Ferguson added: “We have spent a huge amount of time researching and trialling our food offering and we are confident that our chef Barry will be creating the very best smoked ribs Manchester has ever seen.”

Image courtesy of The Liars Club via Facebook with thanks

Related Articles