Cocktails at Corn Exchange, Manchester

Last week my sister and I were invited to tour the restaurants inside Corn Exchange in Manchester.

We have been there before as a family when we reviewed Cabana, and I kept meaning to return and try other restaurants. I hadn’t really ever considered the option of meeting at Corn Exchange just for drinks, but I discovered that every one of the restaurants within Corn Exchange has a bar area and seating for people who just want to enjoy drinks in a comfortable, relaxed and welcoming environment.

We tried one cocktail in each of the seven restaurants we visited during the course of the evening, and scored them according to a range of factors.

Vapiano

The first cocktail of the evening was an Aperol Spritz. Perfect for summer, refreshing and with a reasonably low alcohol content (11%), I think I could probably get quite used to drinking Aperol. The staff here were really helpful, and the atmosphere was welcoming. I’d come back to Vapiano with the children too I think if their kids menu is as good as the main one!

Catch up with Vapiano on twitter and Instagram.

Cosy Club

The next cocktail was a Spiced Pineapple Old Fashioned at The Cosy Club. I don’t like bourbon at all, so it was an instant no from me for this one, though my sister drank both mine and hers so it was just personal preference on this one.

There were lots of board games dotted around the tables here too so you could really settle in for a relaxing afternoon of light cocktails, delicious food and a game or two.

The Cosy Club hang out on twitter here and insta here.

Alston Bar & Beef

I liked this one very much, though I think more than a couple would have me reaching for the rennie’s. At Alston Bar & Beef we enjoyed a Cathedral Bees Knees cocktail, which is made using locally foraged ingredients. I loved the atmosphere of this bar and will definitely go back for both food and drinks.

Keep up to date with their in-house gin menu on twitter and gin-stagram.

Cabana

At Cabana we were treated to a rather strong but very tasty Caipirinha – the national cocktail of Brazil. (I wonder what the UK’s national cocktail is…). I really enjoyed this one, though I think I’d probably ease off on the cachaça if I was having more than one!

Cabana Brasil get social over on twitter and instagram.

Pho

My sister loves the food at Pho and the drinks didn’t disappoint either. A cocktail that tastes of holidays is what we were served here – a Piña Pholada. It was sweet and lovely and made me want to be out in the sunshine. I’d definitely have one of those again.

Tweet them or be inspired by their instagram over on their socials.

Wahaca

Have you really been to a Mexican bar if you haven’t had Tequila? In true Mexican style we were served Margarita cocktails and nachos. The cocktails were pretty strong here too and delicious. I actually could have settled right in for the evening here.

Give them a Mexican Wave on twitter or insta.

Banyan

Our last stop of the evening was at Banyan, where I had my very first Espresso Martini. My sister was shocked that I’d never tried one before but I tell you something – that first one won’t be my last! I loved these cocktails. My sister also had a go at making her own and she looked pretty happy behind that bar!

You can chat with Banyan here on twitter or check out their instagram here.

Thanks so very much to Corn Exchange for hosting such a great night and opening my eyes to all the great bars as well as the restaurants!

To choose the perfect restaurant or drinks venue for your next night out at Corn Exchange check out their website, twitter or instagram.