Despite a central location just off the decadent shopping parade of King Street, Lounge 10 has continued to be one of Manchester’s best kept secrets. Open until 4am from Wednesday to Saturday, the first floor restaurant is accessed through the ground floor speakeasy bar. We went down armed with a secret password, and a sense of excitement which increased when the huge metal front door was pulled open for us to enter.
The Venue
Believed to have once been a brothel for ‘men of the cloth’ Lounge 10 is suitably opulent and luxurious. The low lit venue has padded velvet walls, a ceiling draped in dark jewel colours with huge chandeliers, and a Parisian style dining area accommodating a huge grand piano. With mischievous artwork and murals which can only be described as historical soft porn, we recommend an open mind when visiting. The second floor accommodates not only a resident clairvoyant but a 30 seat private dining room… and a door handle which made us blush.
Clientele and Atmosphere
Depending which night you visit, entertainment ranges from magicians to singers and live musicians. Our fellow diners were mainly couples enjoying the atmosphere and romance of the venue. With incredibly attentive service we were made to feel like celebrities, with our waiter Lee at hand to top up our wine and even treat us to a mini tour of the venue. It’s certainly the perfect place for getting your glad rags on, and with a closing time of 4am a great place to linger over your food and soak up the lavish atmosphere. The two lounge singers were incredible and complemented by a trumpet player engaging us with classic French and English melodies.
Food and Drink
With such a magnificently over the top setting the food needed to be of an incredibly high standard - and it really was. With a vegetarian and a fussy eater in the group I was worried we would struggle but the food was sublime. I opted for the asparagus herb risotto, crispy duck egg and pink grapefruit. My partner requested the free range chicken breast, garlic puree, radish al grec with fresh garden peas, fondant potato, pea shoots and chicken jus gras. For dessert we opted for two different chocolate options. My chocolate orange mousse was incredible – but two was definitely too much, with much of the chocolate and nut tart left. The wine menu was extensive and after dinner we finished off with our very own bespoke smokey, fruity cocktails created by Joseph the Head Bartender. We recommend you take advantage of his knowledge and get him to whip you up something special.
Summary
Certainly a place to splash the cash, Lounge 10 is set to increase its appeal beyond romantic dates to a stylish young crowd wanting to sample the extensive cocktail menu in the speakeasy bar. With the private dining area perfect for something a little bit different and a whole host of extras (where else can you get a crystal ball reading between courses?) Lounge 10 will continue to provide a deluxe offering to the people of Manchester. Supported by attentive and knowledgeable staff with perfect customer service, we highly recommend slipping into your glad rags and heading down to sample something we can guarantee you won’t have experienced before. Book your table online through DesignMyNight.
