Cottonopolis

Making good use of the vast former textile warehouse space in which it resides, Cottonopolis is a roomy bar and pan-Asian restaurant, where the industrial grade II listed interior is brought bang up to date by geometric design, a bustling open kitchen and plush leather seating, while its Manchester worker bee emblem harks back to the building’s previous life.

Food-wise it serves up something that few of its nearby Northern Quarter counterparts can claim, with fresh, clean Asian flavours spanning the four categories of Ice, Fire, Steam and Oil. The rich flavours of dishes like Tuna Sashimi or Lamb Nasu won’t come particularly cheap, but you’ll be able to pad these out with smaller sharing sides such as gyoza or prawn crackers with avocado dip. Whatever you order, make sure there's a plate of Beef Tataki coming your way; dressed in onion ponzu, it's a pure knock-out.

The Czech Republic’s Krusovice Tank Beer on display adds a bit of spectacle, though more excitingly is a strong spirits selection behind the bar, which makes for a confident cocktail list – and some good variety for your gin and tonics. If you’re eating, a bottle of yuzu sake also wouldn’t go amiss.

At weekends and during dinner trade Cottonopolis can get busy, but also serves perfectly throughout the week for anyone after a relaxed nightcap. With some of the city's best selectors in residence from Tuesday to Sunday, expect everything from laid-back one-deck sessions to hip-hop and disco-based party tunes, along with regular all dayers and bank holiday sessions. 

[Jess Hardiman]