Alchemy & Co in Middlesbrough

It all started badly when we couldn't find the place!. When we did, the door was locked! Went for a short walk but still locked when we got back. Fortunately, someone came out and I was informed they didn't open until 19.00 which was strange as we had an afternoon tea booked for 17.15! We were taken inside and deposited in the bar downstairs (TS1). Profuse apologies and a drink on the house whilst they tried to get things sorted.( I don't know who was measuring the drinks but I got a quadruple whisky!). The manageress was summoned from home and arrived about half an hour later. We were offered another drink but I declined (post whisky). They explained that they are having significant problems with the on-line booking system. Another 15 minuutes and we were taken upstairs to Alchemy. A small room with tables round the outside and barrels in the centre. Quite small, probably only seats 20-24. The door has a key-code which I didn't really grasp the significance of ( other than to keep the hoi-polloi out. (You must remember he code when going to the loo!!) Cocktails were fine , with a decent choice) and the afternoon tea was also adequate but there was a certain lack of atmosphere as we were the only two in ( others came in post 19.00) Further apologies and another free cocktail made our evening. I would like to thank the manageress and the young lady on the bar downstairs for going beyond the call of duty to try to rectify the booking error. Looking at it from the point of view of a "normal" evening ( ie ignoring all the freebies), I think it was still very good value for money (Groupon) and I am certainly thinking of returning (post 19.00!!!) (Tip - you can probably access Alchemy via the main bar - TS1)

Had a lovely time at the alchemy and co we had the Baltimore afternoon tea which you get a cocktail each and the sandwiches, scones and cupcakes, it was all amazing the drinks the food and the atmosphere, great idea to do for valentines and felt very personalised.

Been here few times over the last few months now and me and my partner love it the two girls that work behind the bar are lovely and friendly the cocktails are lovely my fav is alchemy illusion ! And has great live music on a Friday our new fav place to go on our date night ☺️ x

I have previously visited the bar and loved it. We had live jazz singers, a large crowd and amazing cocktails. However I recently visited on a Friday night at around 9:30pm and they were playing awful pop music. There was only around 2 other customers there which I believe was down to the lack of jazz music. Also there were only 2 bar staff on, both of who were training. The cocktails were awful, only drank half.

Este es, de lejos, uno de mis lugares favoritos para salir en Middlesbrough - más pequeña y más tranquila que la pubs y clubes, con un menú de cócteles increíbles. Esta visita era parte de mi trabajo es salir de fiesta, así que había bastante gente, sin embargo aún había espacio suficiente para todos nosotros. El código fue proporcionada en su página de Facebook, y todos nos lo pasamos de maravilla muestras diversas bebidas. Aunque nunca he estado en esos momentos, en determinadas noches hay música en vivo. Las bebidas son la parte más cara, sin embargo, para el ambiente, la calidad y la pericia de algunos del personal creo que vale la pena.

Visited Alchemy & Co on a Friday night with 3 friends for Afternoon Tea using vouchers we had purchased from Groupon. The bar is fab; really intimate and cosy and there was a guy playing guitar which was nice. We were told we could pick any cocktail from the menu as long as it was £6.95 and there was loads to chose from! I opted for 'Cats Pajamas' which was delicious and just like cherry bakewell. We were really impressed with the afternoon tea; the portions are really generous! We each got an egg sandwich, cheese savoury sandwich and ham sandwich, lovely jam & cream scone, half a salted caramel cupcake, half a chocolate tart and a mini macaroon! I will definitely be returning! The cocktails were great and the food that was being served to other guests looked delicious! Fantastic value for money!

We went for our Wedding anniversary for one of the afternoon teas. The music was loud but the barman did turn it down when I asked. The cocktails started at £6.95 with a fair range. The afternoon tea was brought out to us but the waitress had to be asked for plates and cutlery. No complaints about the food, it was well presented and tasty. We stayed for a couple of beers afterwards which where ok but a bit pricey.

Booked for Afternoon Tea with cocktails @ 6pm. Cosy wee bar in the attic of TS ONE painted black & seats about 30ish. Chilly place but staff pretty friendly & explained everything very clearly. Huge choice of cocktails which when ordered came quickly. Afternoon tea consisted of various sandwiches ( made with fresh bread & quite tasty), macaroons of various flavours, a lovely fruit scone & cup cakes. All in all it was pretty good but the place was very cold as it had only just opened up the doors but even so we had booked in advance & they knew what time we were expected!

Had a Groupon for afternoon tea (odd term as his is an evening opener!) with cocktail. We arrived at the same time as the bar staff and it was really cold. We were given a fairly extensive cocktail menu to select from and our order was taken quickly. When our 'afternoon tea' arrived we had sandwiches, scones, cupcakes and macaroons. I would have liked less of the sweet stuff and perhaps quiche or spring rolls. Everything tasted fresh and the cocktail was OK. Friendly staff. An OK experience.

I recently took my daughter here for the Groupon deal for the afternoon tea with a twist. I have to say we were very disappointed with the quality of the food. The sandwiches were just cut in half & looked like they had been taken out of someone's lunch box. The fillings weren't great either - sorry but just trying to give an honest review of our experience! The cocktail was nice & served in a teapot into teacups (that being the afternoon tea twist) but overall it wasn't the best experience we have had. On a positive note the staff were very friendly. Sorry but we would not recommend this on the basis our recent visit!

Recently purchased a groupon voucher for afternoon tea for two including cocktails for two. What a disappointing experience, so glad we didn't pay full price!! The girls didn't care about their 'two' customers. Afternoon tea was terrible, 3 slithers of a sandwich each with sandwich spread, with frozen eclairs and dried cake for dessert! It also stated that it was antipasti afternoon tea which it wasn't. You also had to grt the same cocktail which was served in a tea pot, again not stated on the advertisement. Such a let down, pointless being there.

Food was very late and poor quality. The staff were doing all they could to serve everyone but weren't managing it due to the number of people allowed in. Just pleased there was not an emergency situation. Over priced. Won't be going back.

A gorgeous little place tucked away in the heart of Middlesbrough. You need a passcode to get in, which you receive after joining their mailing list. The bar is small but cosy, and the cocktails were expertly made by friendly and professional staff. Great value for money, something a little bit different than your average bar.

Dropped in for a quiet drink and although busy, the service was excellent and the drinks were too. Just remember the code to get back in when you nip to the loo!

Went yesterday the 21st July with my friend for afternoon tea for our birthdays. For a start it doesnt open till 7pm. To get in you need a code. Its small only seats bout 16-20 people. Its dark, dingy and shabby. The girls were pleasant enough. We sat at a table with 2 cups, 4 saucers and a teapot. They ask you what cocktail you want and you both have to have same. Then they take teapot away and fill it with ice and pour over the cocktail. Enough to fill 2 small teacups. This tasted ok but just like juice. The food came on a 3 tier cake stand with a big screw on the bottom so it wobbled precariously. The sandwiches looked so unappetising. There was half a cheese scone each half a fruit scone, a pot of jam, a pot of butter, 4 slices of cheap swiss roll and 2 quarters of vanilla slice. We ate the scones and left. Dreadful. Never have i seen such a poor show. This was booked through Groupon and still cost nearly £17.

Visiting Alchemy with a few friends the other day was a lovely experience for me, the location (although not being much of a secret at this point) has a fantastic decor and simple yet fulfilling menu with a great staff who are more than willing to go beyond the menu and attempt to fill a custom drink request to the best of their abilities with the facilities available.

Not the biggest of bars, but certainly a pleasant one! The atmosphere is fantastic, even when you're the only people in there. Even when it's been full to bursting, it hasn't been in the least bit rowdy. Good selection of cocktails - nobody in my group has been disappointed when I have visited. For those who don't fancy an alcoholic drink, they also mix up some pretty nice mocktails (...and that's what I go for most often!). It's definitely worth a visit, but don't forget to register on their website so you can get the secret door code!

Alchemy is different from most of the bars in the local area as you need a key code to get in. It is small but has a good atmosphere and a good selection of cocktails and gins. Worth going to their facebook age to register and get the key code. It can be accessed from TS1 or via a small back door on Southfield Road.