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Manchester’s Hidden Cocktail Haven – 19 Cafe Bar

Manchester’s Hidden Cocktail Haven – 19 Cafe Bar 


I’ve recently discovered my ultimate gin cocktail at 19 Cafe Bar.

A hidden gem of brunch and bar spot sitting just back from Lever Street. I’ve been a number of times for their incredible smashed avocado but since going back to work wide eyed and bushy tailed on cocktails is never a good idea, I’d yet to of tasted their liquid lunch.

Brunch is served to around 3pm most days before they pack away the menus and pull out the cocktail shakers in their New York themed cafe bar.

Usually when you come across a hybrid coffee shop/ bar their alcohol selection is minimal so when I saw their poison packed shelves of gins, whisky, vodka, liqueurs and more I was impressed!

Their cocktail menu is pretty extensive, ranging from your classic mojitos and brambles to their signature cocktails with an interesting twist on your favourites like ‘Lady Island Ice Tea’ and an ‘Expresso Martini’ with an orange twist. But it doesn’t stop there. To my joy they had a ‘Make Your Own Gin Cocktail’ section and boy oh boy their range of gins are pretty spot on!

To create your own gin cocktail you can choose from 6 types of gin (Manchester Gin, Three Rivers, Bathtub, Hendricks, Tanqueray and Daffy’s, 8 garnishes and a handful or original and flavoured tonics!

The cocktails we went for were:

Amaretto Sour – which was probably one of the best amaretto sours we’ve ever had as the egg white added a smooth meringue topping which complimented the sour tipple.
Bramble – A summery fresh and fruity gin cocktail using Tanqueray.
Rum Runner – Which basically made me want to go sit on a beach and drink it straight from a pineapple. Although this fruity mix looks sweet, it packs an alcoholic punch!
Mojito – A classic so how could we not? Havana rum and fresh mint, a perfectly refreshing cocktail.
Aviation – This cocktail was like nothing I’d tasted before and was incredible. It was probably my ultimate drink made of Tanqueray gin (yes it seems Tanqueray swayed me on most of the cocktails) lemon, maraschino cherry liqueur and creme de violet. Basically if you’re like me and love a perfumed, floral and sweet cocktail then this is right up your street. 
Orange Expresso Martini – Practically a dessert that’s packed a punch. Expresso martini is one of my favourite cocktails and the orange twist in the Cafe Bar 19 signature cocktail just added that extra zing! 
Build Your Own Gin Cocktail – Which i had Daffy’s Gin, Double Dutch Watermelon & Cucumber tonic (which is amazing!) and juniper berries.
Staten Island – A fruity cocktail made from Three Rivers gin, pineapple, lemon and apple juice but smoothed out with creme de casis and local honey. 

As well as the incredible more-ish cocktails we also happened to visit 19 Cafe Bar on a Thursday which meant it was acoustic sessions night which starts at 6pm! With great live music, amazing cocktails and a relaxed atmostphere, 19 Cafe Bar is the perfect little hideaway from the usual packed out NQ bars.

Beki Xo 

(As part of this post i was given complimentary cocktails in exchange for a review. However all opinions are my own)