Food and drink: Attack of the clones
Chain bars: everyone hates them, right? Not right, I know, but I do know a lot of people who steer well clear. Me, for example. I can’t remember the last time I visted a Revolution, for example.
But some of Manchester’s favourite one-off bars are doing rather well, it seems. As the Danish-owned Kro shows the way with its continued city-wide expansion, other smaller concerns are following suit:
Odder - Take two of the Thomas Street original, Odd. It’s in a bit of a bogey position – opposite the BBC on Oxford Road – but is well decorated upstairs (downstairs feels a bit half-arsed in comparison, like an afterthought). The beer’s painfully expensive – £2.70 for a hand-pull ale – but there’s a definite buzz in these early days.
Trof 2 – Trof, the only decent bar in Fallowfield, is heading Northern Quarter-ward and opens just down the road from Odd tonight. If it’s anything like the original, Trof 2 should stock some decent beers (again, at reassuringly expensive prices) and have rickety furniture. Taking a lead from Trof, it will be heavy on DJ nights and live music – the opener tonight features the ever-entertaining Gruff Rhys, for example.
As a side point: I hear that the recently-closed Assembly bar and restaurant on Lapwing Lane, West Didsbury, is to become a Piccolinos.
The Italian restaurant, very popular in the city centre, is part of the expanding (and interestingly-titled) Individual Restaurant Company, which owns the Restaurant Bar and Grill too. See ManchesterConfidential for discussion.
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Went to the new trof the other night, it’s not quite as much to my liking as trof in Fallowfield but then it’s a completely different kettle of fish i suppose. Fit’s in perfectly in the n4 and helped me avoid the bizarreness of the tv bar.
Downstairs is a nice bar, upstairs is all house party like. Great place well worth a visit.
By Tristan on 02.26.07 2:48 pm
Sounds good – thanks for that Tristan. I think I’ll see for myself at the weekend.
Not a fan of Fab mark 2 then?
By Mancubist on 02.26.07 4:49 pm
I’m liking Trof 2 — it’s retained quite a bit of the original Trof methinks, but kinda works in the Northern Quarter setting. Agree with Tristan about the upstairs… very house-party like – and that’s definitely a good thing!
We’re doing a new version of “Songs for the Bath Tub” upstairs tomorrow night (Tuesday 6th) – Nomad Jones, Ragz and Jimmy Docherty are playing.. can’t wait!
Tom K
By Tom Kerswill on 03.05.07 4:57 pm
Ah it’s called Mark 2? I dunno it’s the pink and blue neon that puts me off. From the outside it kinda reminds me of a tourist UFO bar from Rozwell or something. But then i haven’t been in yet, so I can’t really comment. Just going off appearances. It’s been full each time i’ve walked passed mind so i might try and get passed myself and have to take a look next time i’m up that way.
By Tristan on 03.06.07 1:23 pm
Hey, I really love old retro stuff and vintage furniture is one of my favorites. The old stuff was made well and lasts, not like the new cheap stuff.
By Vintage Furniture on 10.22.07 7:13 pm
I Love Trof in the northern quarter. An amazing selection of beers at a fair price well friendly staff and good vibe all the time
By jay on 05.22.08 7:01 pm
Yeah, it’s a good place, Trof Northern Quarter. We run the open mic there each Sunday there. It’s usually lively and got a good mix of people!
By Tom Kerswill on 05.26.08 4:19 pm
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