Dirty Martini - Cocktail Bar in Manchester

You know what you're getting when you walk down those stairs into the sleek, dimly-lit space – and that's exactly the point. The cocktails here are made with genuine care, from a proper dirty martini that doesn't scrimp on the olive brine to negronis that strike the right bitter-sweet balance. The bartenders know their stuff and don't rush through orders even when the weekend crowd gets three-deep at the bar. Sure, it's a chain, but this Manchester outpost has found its groove among the Peter Street crowd. The music's loud enough to feel buzzy without shouting over your date, and the lighting flatters everyone after a long day. Come Thursday through Saturday and you'll find a mix of after-work drinkers and proper night-out groups who've made the effort with their outfits.