Simple is a great little bar in the Northern Quarter; I’d never ventured to Simple before and was excited to hear that they had a new menu out, a perfect reason to try it out. As well as being known as a great cocktail bar Simple has a busy weekly and weekend food trade so I was eager to try it out.
The Venue
When we entered Simple, we walked past the outdoor seating area which I imagine would be great when the sun is out as it overlooks the street below. Inside Simple is a mixture of booth and table seating with a bar area towards the back wall. A warm mixture of creams and browns with some great statement wallpaper really makes this venue stand out! We were immediately greeted when we walked in by one of the helpful staff and took a seat near the bar.
Simple is a great Manchester cocktail bar for a few drinks after work or during the daytime.
The Atmosphere & Clientele
Despite the fact we had popped in early in the week for lunch the bar was buzzing with lots of office workers clearly grabbing a bite to eat in their break. A couple of students were sitting by the door, clearly enjoy Simple’s great daytime drinks offers. It was a young and lively crowd clearly taking advantage of the new food menu.
With great seating spaces, top food and great drinks, Simple is a top Manchester bar.
The Food and Drink
We tried the butternut squash with red pepper, rocket and spring onion focaccia which came with chips and a decent sized salad, although we were tempted to get a side portion of the Sweet Potato wedges as recommended by the kitchen. Despite our best efforts we failed to make a dent in our side order as the portions were so generous – really good value for money. There is loads of choice on the menu, from light bites and homemade burgers to restaurant mains such as spinach and mushroom stuffed chicken and butternut squash, cumin and sweet potato cakes.
The cocktail menu fuses classics such as Old Fashioned and Manhattans with some brilliant signature cocktails. One of our favourites was the Aero, a combination of chocolate and whiskey and a cool foam dressing. I’d also recommend the Hottie, a warm cocktail of Gin, Sugar and Lemon – perfect to warm you up on a cold day!
Simple's bar offering is strong with some of the cocktails found in the Northern Quarter.
Summary
Simple was anything but, offering a vast array of choice for lunch, with 15 minute options available for those really in a rush. The food was tasty and served quickly making it a perfect place to stop in to have a lazy weekend lunch or quick bite in the week. With the addition of a great happy hour menu it’s an ideal place to pop into for an after work drink. With an interesting mix of hot and cold drinks Simple is the perfect cocktail bar to try something a little different in the Northern Quarter and we will definitely be back for more.
