Corbières

How well do you know Manchester? Have you heard of the self-proclaimed ‘worst kept secret’ in the city? Corbières, a basement bar hidden away in a side street off St Anns Square, is not a new secret however. First opened in 1978, this watering hole has been quenching Manchester’s thirst for almost 50 years. 

Sitting below what used to be a classic book shop, this pub is somewhat different from others you might have visited before. On a non-descript side-street in Manchester city centre, you might be puzzled to come across two mosaic tile art features protruding from a section of the wall. This is the entrance, you found it! 

To enter the bar, you need to climb down a narrow winding staircase, until you reach a single cavernous room. The bar stretches out across the far side of the room and a few non-uniformed tables and chairs are dotted around the space resembling a New York City speakeasy, concealed under the city during prohibition. 

The décor takes a minimalist approach, allowing the architecture and cave-like design of the ceiling and walls to speak to the bars individually and privacy. While people may come here to experience drinking in an underground cave, others come for the music and the cocktails.

Corbières is home to the ‘best jukebox in the city’, changing the playlist on a regular basis to keep things fresh. Speaking of fresh, this bar is also famous for its ‘cocktail of the week’, a new concoction every week. My favourite was their Ruby Cooler, a mix of gin, lemon, cranberry and ginger ale, very refreshing.

Why not visit mid week, from Tuesday to Friday between 4 and 8pm, you can wander in, spend just £5 at the bar and be given a free pizza in return. Not hungry? No worries, just order from the extensive drinks menu, including a range of affordable but quality wine, well known and local beers/ales and all your favourite flavoured spirits