Apotheca is a popular Northern Quarter cocktail bar, situated just off the busy crossroads next to Bluu and TV21. From the moment you set foot in the cool and seductive bar you know exactly what you're in for. I'd heard some very good things about Apotheca and was desperate to get down there and see if it really was as good as the Northern Quarter residents said.
The Venue
As we entered Apotheca, we strolled past the antique medicine cabinets lining the wall which really set the tone for the evening. The centre piece bar is adorned in bottles and the place really does have the feel of a potion maker's cabinet, giving something extra to your evening. We picked up our prescription from the bar and sat down at our reserved table to kick off our evening of fun and frolics.
The Atmosphere & Clientele
Blasting out a wide variety of rock music throughout the night gave Apotheca a good party atmosphere and real audible buzz; we were drinking stunning Bemuda Triangles to Brand New and Manhattan's to Metallica. Apotheca attracts a young and lively crowd to fill the cosy spaces between the quirky medicine cabinets and the large bar which allows an easy 180° service throughout the venue. The bar has great ambient lighting that sets the mood brilliantly and makes Apotheca the perfect space for a great drinking and dining experience.
The Food and Drink
We tried the vegetarian pizza smothered with fresh rocket and grated Parmesan cheese that impressed every member of the our group, who were fighting tooth and nail over the last slice. If pizza isn't your thing, even with the gluten free option, Apotheca has so much more to offer in the form of juicy burgers and a gut-busting sharing platters complimenting their 'bigger is better' motto perfectly. The Bemuda Triangle cocktail consisting of a healthy measure of Gosling's black seal rum, Galliano, milk, cherry puree and cream fresh Illy expresso was one of the best and most original drinks we'd had in a long time, making Apotheca a strong contender to make our list favourite cocktail bars in Manchester. The cocktail shy members of our group were pleased to see the reasonably priced variety of beers they had on offer, particularly the 5% Cucquena Peruvian lager which went down a real treat.
Summary
Apotheca provided the ideal medicine for my friends and I after a long week stuck in the office. The pizzas were really really tasty and when washed down with a fantastic concoction of classic and original cocktails it made the night a real hit. Apotheca, watch out, because we will definitely be back to try your burgers, and without doubt the rest of your cocktail menu.
