Sandinista in Manchester

As two regular customers who work round the corner and have spent a good deal of time in the place over the last couple of years I found the attitude of one of the bartenders last night disgusting. The young girl I was with politely asked the chubby little man behind the bar to charge her phone as it was late in the night and she needed battery to get herself home (had her own charger). He point blank refused and was plain rude about it for no reason as if it would really inconvenience him to show a bit of humanity. Won't be returning to this place.

Jack and Jake were the sweetest loveliest blokes. We had a really disappointing Christmas market and experience and finding this little gem with the best hospitality saved our date night. Thank you guys, you deserve a massive Christmas bonus ♥️⭐️

Very cool decoration, a tremendous atmosphere.

Terrific place to eat, best food I’ve ever had out.

Just cocktails 🍸 very enjoyable.

What a find this place is just absolutely fabulous the food is Amazing and Service is quick and professional..we had the lunch menu for £10 we could not fault it ..if Your visiting Manchester do pop here you will not be disappointed we will be back later after the show we are seeing.

The food is amazing!! tacos top notch. Also great little spot for some chilled drinks

chloe is the best bartender i love her !!!!!

Chloe is the best bartender, she makes the best cocktails and is such a lovely person to talk to. 10/10

Went for the first time last night, great music, and the bartender Chloe was amazing, she recommended me my new favourite drink order

We loved it, a very cool place.

Overall great food and drinks. Very friendly staff but waited quite a long time for food, even the olives and chips and dips we ordered with first round of drinks - and service a bit chaotic generally even though not overly busy. Particularly enjoyed the Bhuna Burrito, Heat your Greens and massive portion of nachos altho - downside of ordering at table using QR code - they hadn’t read our note about having the chicken on the side - but very apologetic and provided second portion so our veggie was happy. ‘Chips and dips’ could have come with more than one small portion of salsa - but again this was topped up when we asked. Really good olives. Nice selection of beers and enjoyed the margaritas. We had a great time but service could just have been a bit more ‘on it’ - one guy working hard in the kitchen but the rest seemed to be having their own party at the bar - they were really nice and friendly, when you could get their attention - just hard to do that sometimes!!

don't get me wrong this is a nice bar food looks good and good beers but why have they stopped taking cold hard cash I know to some people this will be nothing to them but there are still people who like to use cash for that reason I won't be going back on principle sorry guys

After getting lost in Manchester after a boozy night I literally stumbled accros Sandinista, and I'm glad I did. Great beer, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. What a find at 3 in the morning. I will be going back next time I'm in Manchester.

Very cool place, great staff. Haven't eaten there yet, will update when I do!

Nice looking bar, Theme looks brilliant, my friends cocktail was perfect and i enjoyed the beer.

Nice bar. Rustic. Friendy staff

Chloe was outstanding. The service was perfection. If you’re looking for charisma and the best margarita in town come and see this incredible bartender! X

terrible service today. Ignored firstly at the bar, then when a large party walked in behind us (celebrating a graduation) the female bar tender loudly said ‘what fresh hell is this’ oh sorry are paying customers an issue for you? Then she just slammed our drinks at us, and gestured rudely at the card machine. Terrible customer service, didn’t make anyone feel welcome.

Friendly and a good array of craft beer

Amazing food, im shocked at how little people were in here because the food was INCREDIBLE. Taquitos, al pastor tacos, croquetas, sangria 100/10

Excellent place. The food is soooo delicious and the margaritas are so refreshing!

Fantastic time. We were in a large group and they opened up the downstairs bar. All credit to Kate for being so accommodating and playing the sometimes odd music requests!

Amazing comfort food with unique flavours in a warm and inviting eatery. I had never considered Indian and Mexican/Latin combo before but the Bhuna Burrito has changed all that - definitely a must try for a quick, aromatic and soul food meal.

First visit for me. Friends took me as it has some a good selection of beers

Google lied to me or the venue owners decribed this place wrong on google business. Great place great atmospharw but Latin/mexican bar with no latin or mexican music :( otherwise lovely place trendy and quite exiting place :)

16 of us turned up out of the blue on my Stag do and were content on staying out front until a lovely northern summers day kicked in and it started tipping it down. We came inside to try and fine space for us all, but it was quite full. Enter Kaitlyn. The hero of the Stag Do. They opened up a beautiful downstairs bar and served us impeccably and allowed us requests over the music system. Thank you, Kaitlyn (I hope I'm spelling that right). You absolutely elevated the night.

Cool bar with plenty of nice drinks to choose from - food looked good too

Saturday 1st June around 4 pm the var staff/all staff was amazing, polite and kind great atmosphere

Awesome late night bar, and the DJ was so good. A ton of 00's emo / punk / indie. Great beer selection, and really strong pours on the mixed drinks. I'm not complaining. Really cool spot and crowd.

One of the best restaurant/bars I've ever visited! As a clash fan it's awesome but even if aren't you would be able to appreciate good food and good music! The staff were super friendly and our waiter recommended lots of dishes for us to try. The drinks were awesome and the references to the best band in the world just topped it off. I can't wait to come back here!!!

Staff very friendly always. Food is very nice

Great bar. Love it. Alhambra on draft. The wife happy with a marg. Place smells amazing with the tacos and quesedilla being whipped up. Simple but excellent.

Felt the beer wall looked grubby and lacked effort 😕

Good food and a nice place on a Saturday lunchtime. The only thing I didn't like was the 10% service charge slapped on the bill, it might be a Mexican restaurant but I'm a Brit, I decide the tip. It might be in the small print somewhere but it wasn't obvious.

This is a pleasant bar with a wide range of drinks, and if you’re fancying some Mexican food, especially tacos, you’ll be delighted. On a late Thursday evening the music was loud and created a great atmosphere despite not being overly busy. The decor makes for a cosy space and there’s plenty to admire. It’s not the cheapest of options but I’ll certainly be returning!

This is a pleasant bar with a wide range of drinks, and if you’re fancying some Mexican food, especially tacos, you’ll be delighted. On a late Thursday evening the music was loud and created a great atmosphere despite not being overly busy. The decor makes for a cosy space and there’s plenty to admire. It’s not the cheapest of options but I’ll certainly be returning!

Love it in here come very often always nice for a more relaxed drink

Trendy bar/ Street food place just off Desnsgate. Only had drinks so cannot comment on the food but it looked great. Lots of draft beers and ciders. Friendly helpful staff.

Trendy bar/restaurant selling Latin street food in the centre of Manchester. We didn't eat but the menu, see attached photo, looked great and we'll definitely be calling back to eat another day. The staff were friendly and helpful. Loads of draft beers and ciders. Clean modern toilets in the basement which looks like you're going into a club with old album covers plastered on the walls. I wonder if this was a night club?

Great good quick friendly service

Really friendly place, great vibes with good beers on rotation. Bar staff always happy to advise on beer.

Such good food and drink, nice music and vibe here as well and always friendly service!!

Fantastic place the food service and atmosphere was brilliant x really lovely staff and really chilled and relaxing will definitely be back .

A very good place in the city center. Perfect music to share, excellent food and a wide variety of drinks. I would definitely repeat.

We went before a gig and the place was perfect. Really great service from super friendly and fun staff. Food and drinks were lovely. Had a great vibe and will definitely be going back 💖

I got searched in the mens for what I assume drugs by a very terrifying meathead in a beanie. After realising that he couldn’t find anything on me he made no effort to lighten the atmosphere or be a bit humane towards someone who was visible extremely panicked and scared. This took place in-front of other people who happened to be in the toilets at the time which clearly damaged his ego more as everyone witnessed his bully behaviour towards someone who is clearly neurodivergent. I walked away without saying anything which made the rest of the night even worse. He spend the rest of the night standing 10 feet away from our table staring at me with pure hate. Everyone who work in that venue could benefit with getting training in spotting the difference between drunkenness and any sort of disability. If you are neurodivergent, don’t have English as your first language or tired after an 8hr bar shift this is NOT the place to be. Probably the most hostile venue in Manchester city centre.

I got searched in the mens for what I assume drugs by a very terrifying meathead in a beanie. After realising that he couldn’t find anything on me he made no effort to lighten the atmosphere or be a bit humane towards someone who was visible extremely panicked and scared. This took place in-front of other people who happened to be in the toilets at the time which clearly damaged his ego more as everyone witnessed his bully behaviour towards someone who is clearly neurodivergent. I walked away without saying anything which made the rest of the night even worse. He spend the rest of the night standing 10 feet away from our table staring at me with pure hate. Everyone who work in that venue could benefit with getting training in spotting the difference between drunkenness and any sort of disability. If you are neurodivergent, don’t have English as your first language or tired after an 8hr bar shift this is NOT the place to be. Probably the most hostile venue in Manchester city centre.

Love this bar, great atmosphere and range of drinks

Love this place! Cool, friendly atmosphere

Lovely place- very good for industry- not too busy.

Do not walk past this place. Amazing food, great tacos, and drink choice top class. Great vibe and staff are brilliant..

The vibe here is good (can be loud if a party table is in) and is a nice place to spend an evening. No table service is disappointing but at least you can set up a tab alternatively order from the app. The staff all dress like everyone else so it's difficult to know who to approach. Having been to Mexico city and expirenced the street food I can say the Tacos are tasty and authentic. My biggest gripe is the price - portion ratio. Not good. I felt cheated and honestly could have eaten double and still been hungry. See picture. All that said if you are hungry during a beer session this might be enough if you've eaten already. Remember to order more than you think you can eat.😀

Amazing and patient staff for a rowdy table of 16. Food was top notch and a huge array of drinks/cocktail to go through. Great atmosphere and friendly service. ✌🏻

My friend and I shared some Ham Croquettes from here: they were a tad salty for me, but he absolutely loved them.

Great food. Great music. Great staff. What else would you want?

Enjoyed a quick beer to get out of the rain yesterday. Nice people, good service, nice beer and wine.

Not safe for black and brown customers. Racially abused in there staff and security sided with the aggressor who is a regular.

A wonderful service! Really accommodating to allergies, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. Thank you!!

Great place!! Soon as walk in you get that old school leather smell. Is amazing see a contrast between pub/Street grub inside a lovely old building with great atmosphere and character food is amazing just wished I said no cheese not much of a fan myself but I can't hold that against them as the food and drinks were spot on, would recommend a visit while exploring Manchester

Lovely atmosphere, lovely staff, tasty tacos and a welcome escape from Christmas shopping madness

Has changed, not the same more rock than Latin.

Some of the best nachos I’ve had in Manchester. Flavour and portion size on point. Great value. Dim the bulbs a bit and you’ve got a really lovely venue. Great craft beer on tap too.

Visited here for something nearby to our hotel walking distance to Motel One, read reviews and gave it a go as was looking for Mexican food and good prices along with some cocktails. Service was very welcoming and bar tender asked what we was up for and what we had been doing here. Food was lovely very well presented, quick served hot and very tasty. We went for quesedillas and tacos, and a spice bowl. The quesedilas was best ever so good and full of cheese too. The spice bowl was so tasty too and filling with potato, halloumi and pineapple. The tacos was nice but small portions could have been more and for us we prefer crispy shells - these was soft rolls. Cocktails was great too plenty of branded spirits added and a buzzin vibe inside the venue too… many students was there on our visit and had a nice relaxed buzzin vibe. We will be back again next time in Manchester for sure.. keep up the good food and drinks guys 😀❤️

There are far better bars in this location. St Ann's Square has several bars with better atmospheres although Sandinista does have a good choice of beers and cocktails. We were out for a friend's belated 21st birthday so wasn't expecting too much on a Thursday night. We went to several bars during the evening.

Food was phenomenal. Quesadillas melted in my mouth and the spice bag was explosion of flavours. The weather was horrible and so we were the only people there but nevertheless the music and the atmosphere was ace.

Sarah was fantastic service and the food was amazing, Liam does a great job in the kitchen. Will be back soon x

Absolutely quality place, Elliot made the place feel like a home from home! Everyone needs to come here if you like any form of ale!!! I love my IPA’s, and my fruity beers, but this place was something else! We spent so much money as we’re big drinkers!

Don’t usually go for the food. But tried it last night and it was excellent! The sweet potato fries and the spice bag were so good. It’s an excellent place to go for a drink and a chat with great atmosphere and ample seating. Lots of choice for drinks too.

Downstairs bar is particularly excellent

Been here a few times for beers, but decided to try the food on a whim... Really glad we did, very nice. Love the layout and decor of the bar too.

Cool bar with great atmosphere. Usually go here for beers, but tried food last time and turns out that’s also on another level!

We only had drinks, didn't eat here.

Great atmosphere with plenty to offer

Very quiet, so I couldn't get a true experience.

I visited this place at 2am on a Wednesday with my heavily pregnant wife/sober driver. After a few wonderful beers from their extensive and well priced selection and some conversation wife my beautiful wife who has a licence about peep show. Unexpectedly she began a heavy and quick labour, i was a few shandys in at this point and quite understandably panicked. But thankfully and heroically most of the bar staff where trainees in midwifery and the bouncer is a full fledged doctor. My third beautiful daughter was delivered right there and then, expertly diligently and with enough time to get the 192 home. Shes called sandy 10/10

good music good beer great at 11pm

Stopped here with our son for a quick drink, b4 going elsewhere. Good and friendly service from staff and an excellent soundtrack playing in the background 👍 Will be back.

Had an overnight (Thurs) stay in Manchester and was looking for a nice place to drink. Many places were closing (quite early) but was recommended to come here. Was fabulous. Old Fashioned's were best I have had. Was even a competition between staff to see who could make us the better one. Will be back. Thanks.

Avoid the £10 lunch menu. If you fancy a kid portion served on a tiny party plate that wouldn't feed a sparrow. Pleasant enough staff. Forgot our Gordo's.

Great atmosphere. Gorgeous food & drink. & I like how it's in a hidden spot. Just makes it a little bit more interesting. 😅 brilliant.

Like the drinks here the craft ale in particular and the Mexican food is great

Lovely place! Definitely check downstairs, it has a great ambiance

Only had a coffee but nice little café

Great bar plenty of options on the beers

Surprisingly Great food. Small potions a la tapas. Good beer selection.

Lovely restaurant with comfy seats, good music on in the background and good service. Really enjoyed the food here! I’m vegetarian and there aren’t many options, but the ones I had were all very good. I’d like to see some more vegetable dishes really- the veggie ones were mainly potato based and nothing with peppers, aubergines etc.

Absolutamente disgustado con el servicio aquí. Quería ir a tomar una pinta descarada mientras esperaba que se hiciera un grabado. Antes de cruzar la puerta, nos pidieron groseramente que nos pusiéramos máscaras (que obviamente es una regla en los cajeros automáticos) y luego nos dijeron que escaneáramos el código QR de la puerta de manera abrupta antes de ser recibidos por Sandinista. Seguramente todo debería haberse hecho de la manera opuesta para una bienvenida más amigable (¡también trabajo en el sector de la hostelería!). Luego me dijeron que no podía continuar hasta que vieran el tic en el track and trace, en realidad no podía Escuché correctamente al tipo en la puerta, así que le pedí que repitiera, me dijo que necesitaba descargar la aplicación de seguimiento y rastreo (que no es un requisito legal) para incluso entrar y ser atendido. Le dije que no lo descargaría porque no es la ley, la mayoría de los lugares te permiten iniciar sesión o tener algún otro sistema para rastrear y rastrear, por lo que me dijo muy groseramente que no nos serviría, a lo que pensé Que te jodan, llevaremos nuestro negocio a otra parte. Lo encontré muy grosero y abrupto, una actitud repugnante y nos desanimó por completo de volver. ¡Realmente impactante que permitieras que alguien tan inapropiado hospedara tu puerta! !

Llevamos un tiempo viniendo con ella y gastando mucho dinero. Unas pocas noches casi 300 entre las seis. Esta noche quería unirme a unos amigos para tomar una copa. El gerente de pelo azul nos dijo que no podíamos unirnos por distanciamiento social. Así que esperamos respetuosamente afuera para sentarnos en dos mesas diferentes. El gerente prefirió sentar a otra persona a pesar de que esperamos afuera durante 30 minutos. Cuando una mesa más grande estaba libre, ella se negó a cambiarnos. Mis amigos y yo nos sentimos extremadamente discriminados porque no somos ingleses. Definitivamente perderán nuestro negocio y se lo haré saber a la gente. Ojalá pudiera calificar este lugar con menos de una estrella simplemente por este grosero gerente.

Found the bar staff rude, went duriing the day so could see how grubby and tatty it is. Last straw was when a fly landed on my pint glass which I found odd in December. I had arrived early to meet a friend but quickly drank up and suggested somewhere else before they could see it for themselves.

I left this bar after my friend wasn't allowed in. Appalling, We all left and they lost about 10 regular customers. Fire your door staff and sort it out. It's disgusting.

Este no es un bar que visitamos muy a menudo, pero cuando lo hacemos, siempre disfrutamos nuestro tiempo allí. Tiene una ubicación céntrica junto a Deansgate y tiene un gran ambiente.El servicio nos pareció muy amable y servicial. Hacen una gran variedad de bebidas y algunas cervezas realmente interesantes y de buena relación calidad-precio.El bar lleva el nombre de un álbum de mi banda favorita de todos los tiempos, el choque. Es un placer ir a los baños de la planta baja, ya que hay un par de carteles junto con muchas otras imágenes de grandes músicos.Algo diferente y un excelente lugar para pasar una hora o dos.

Me and two friends went here late Friday night/ Saturday morning about 2am and we found the bar staff to be very obnoxious, ignoring for us a bit when waiting to get served even though there were no other customers at the bar and then one guy shouted at me 'make your mind up' when I changed my mind as to what drink I wanted (this was before he started pouring it so no excuse to say that), they seemed to be under the influence of something so that might have affected their behaviour but still not acceptable.

Just wanted a final drink. Door men refused entry, We were a party of the 3 women and a man. Refused entry because one ginger friend appeared to drunk. She was not! We went round the corner to Corbieres. Much better friendlier venue to have a beer!

Vinimos aquí para mi cumpleaños, ya que nos quedamos en Manchester y visitamos aquí una vez antes y nos encantó.La comida es igual de buena. Realmente, es excelente y el servicio también es excelente.Mi única observación en esta visita es que se había vuelto un poco 'sucio' y también estaba un poco frío. Era un día lluvioso y fresco de verano británico, pero el aire acondicionado estaba bombeando aire frío. El baño de las mujeres también era un poco cutre. Aunque limpio, simplemente no lo parecía.

Realmente me gusta Sandinista, está un poco escondido pero tiene asientos acogedores, tiene un tamaño perfecto y reproduce buena música. La selección de bebidas es buena y el personal siempre ha sido amable conmigo a menudo recordando los pedidos de bebidas y siendo hablador en el bar.El Tapas parece realmente sabroso aunque nunca lo he probado, tal vez la próxima vez, ya que volveremos.

Great place ! Hidden Gem as they say, Ask Muzz about Tequila ... Great range, Good service..... and Pisco Sour for the win :)

I've never tried food but their range of beer is more then enough to win me. I'll definitely be back

Came on a Saturday with friends for my birthday. We had the tapas and it was amazing. Will definitely come back!

6.of us have just been turned away for no reason. No wonder the place is dead, 10/10 for the security. Too busy watching videos on their phones rather than doing their job.