Apotheca Bar

This Northern Quarter bar’s unusual setting is home to some of the most creative cocktails you’ll ever taste. Apotheca — meaning “one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes” — is notable for its antique pharmacy cabinets at the front of the bar. The team at Apotheca take a rather scientific approach to cocktail making, using rare, fresh and unusual ingredients to create an eclectic menu of cocktails that you won’t find anywhere else (there’s not many places you’ll get a Bloody Mary served with bacon...). And if you fancy learning how to make your favourite drinks, they offer cocktail making classes where you’ll be taught all the tricks of the trade. Housed in a listed building, the award winning bar’s rustic exposed brickwork and columns combined with black leather seating creates a modern twist on a historical atmosphere. Partnered with Dough Pizza Kitchen next door, Apotheca serves the best picks of their food menu throughout the day, whether that’s pizzas or bar snacks, including sharing platters, nachos and pulled pork. There’s plenty on in the evenings too, with a weekly quiz night, monthly film nights, and a weekly free entry acoustic live music night showcasing local Manchester talent. [Charlotte Davies]