Speak In Code in Manchester

Great cocktails, great service and really cool vibes in there - would really recommend this place, particularly for a special occasion!

The door staff were very welcoming, as were the staff that greeted us inside. The atmosphere was pleasant, not too over crowded and the place had a feeling of exclusivity and not the slightest bit pretentious as others people have said on this page. I have to say, it is so good how they do not let it get too overcrowded… it makes for a much better experience. Sin, our waiter was very polite, professional and knowledgeable about cocktails. We told him exactly the kind of drink we wanted and he delivered the perfect cocktails based on what we said we fancied. Exactly what you want for a boujee cocktail bar when you don’t really know what the drinks will taste like from looking at the menu. We were on a first date and we both had the best time and are seeing each other again. It makes for a perfect date night and I would definitely come again and would highly recommend this place to anyone who’s after a nice place to drink good cocktails in Manchester. I was a bit dubious at first because they don’t have any of your classic cocktails, but the ones the have on offer are top tier, if you’re having difficulty choosing, then just ask the approachable, knowledgeable staff and they will recommend something you will like. Yes, the drinks are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for, pure quality.. amazing attention to detail and unique to anywhere else in Manchester. It’s a very popular bar, so book in advance as chances are if you attempt a walk at the weekend you will get turned away. I look forward to visiting again. Please pass on the feedback to Sin and give him the recognition he deserves. 🙂 Top bloke

Really great place to visit in Manchester if you like a well made and thought out cocktail. All the staff are great, the atmosphere and decor is classy and just an all round treat to visit. Can't wait to go back!

Really good atmosphere, but make sure you book in advance as it gets really busy! The menu is quite fancy and I don’t like the new menu compared to what it used to be, but still a nice place with good drinks.

Went there for a change and try some wine. I ended up with cocktails as i really didnt like their 2 independent wines - the cheapest is £30. They kindly offered to taste them. One smelt of vinegar and was very bitter. I ended up with cocktails made of Pisco. It tastes Really nice and the waiter was very knowledgeable. However, £14.50 + 10% discretionary tip is way TOO expensive. I saw people having food and it look nice. Once in a year treat!

Very good cocktails Nice atmosphere Reccomended

Found on Google for a quick drink. Gorgeous decor and excellent service. Drinks menu comes in a vinyl with original sketches and really cool descriptions. Definitely worth a visit, new fave cocktail bar for sure. Thankyou!!

This is the place for serious cocktails in Manchester. Their cocktail menu listings are amazing. Extremely creative. Even if you want a classic negroni they will put their own twist on it. The setting is sultry, the lights are very low. The folks behind the bar are magicians at their craft.

Fantastic cocktails. Great choices (through asking the staff) from the new menu. A code 9, and then a French martini.

Really welcoming and knowledgeable staff, atmospheric interior and fantastically inventive cocktails. We had Demo 1 and Demo 7 and they were so unusual and incredibly delicious!

Very welcoming, knowledgeable staff who made recommendations based on your preferences. Loved their take on an old fashioned 🥃

Me and my boyfriend came for drinks here last night, served by Ben absolute gentleman. AMAZING demo cocktails, Ben walked us through the taste, the ideas, gave us tasters of stuff (ladies, get the space raider martini) and was on hand to give any advice needed! Would definitely recommend this place.

We had a lovely evening. Oli our server was really attentive & knowledgeable. The drinks were amazing. I told oil what I liked and he picked all my drinks for me. Demo 14 was my favourite

This is a one-of-a-kind speakeasy bar experience. I've been to several around the Netherlands, but none came as close as this bar in terms of creativity and uniqueness of the ingredients. I definitely recommend checking this bar out and make sure to make a reservation in advance. Me and my brother were lucky to be seated when we just walked in as many people were in a digital queue, but not responding.

Impressive cocktail bar, really knowledgeable staff who take the time to understand your preferences and make spot on recommendations. Slightly confusing but very interesting menu! Relaxing vibe with good music. Can't wait to go back.

Cosy bar with excellent service, ideal for dates, drinks are very unique and packed with flavours. The staff are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, they’re always keen to give recommendations.

The most unique cocktail menu I've seen, using homegrown and fermented ingredients. Very welcoming to me and my wife on a Saturday night, who found this place ad hoc. No paper umbrellas here.

So, so good. Attention to detail was spot-on. Putting your drink in the freezer if you use the restroom was such a touch. Get the Demo 9 cocktail, it was genuinely one of the best drinks of 2024. Superb!

Cosy, quiet bar with very friendly staff and superb cocktails. Prices are premium — on par with many London bars — but worth it.

highkey this is not a speakeasy and I don't know why they market themselves as such, calling themselves an artisanal bar would be a lot more accurate. Drinks are nice but frankly not worth how expensive they are. My main issue was our server just seemed uninterested and frankly bothered by our presence and made me and my friends feel unwelcome. After our reservation we thanked them for how good a host they were and how good our experience was (even though that wasn't really true) and they genuinely said "okay, thanks" and walked off. Would probably come here again if the staff didn't treat us like we were a nuisance for quietly sitting there enjoying our time.

Visited mid August - The most relaxing cocktail bar with the most knowledgeable bar tenders I've ever met. Friendly and attentive staff, sat with us and helped me find drinks to my taste, or even make a drink more catered for my taste. The environment is classy, mysterious and relaxed, the perfect way to end our evening.

Amazing experience. Great staff. Little pricey but worth the pennys either way

Like all the drinks I ordered, friendly staff and great service. Walked in on weekday and got tables, not too noisy the music and had a great catch up with my friend there .

Great cocktails, great service.

Very relaxing atmosphere, staff first class with a real passion and knowledge about mixology. Some very very innovative cocktails which combined some creative ingredients that on paper you think wouldn't work. Space Raider Gin that had a note of pickled onion but really works, a demo cocktail with Pandan that was delicious, another with yuzu that was mind blowing. Traditional cocktails such as old fashioned with an interesting herbal twist and possibly the best dirty martini we have had make this an absolute star not just in the Manchester bar arena but possibly globally. You could argue that the cocktails are slightly priced above the norm, however the quality, complexity and balance of all of the drinks we had far far justify any cost difference. We will return here in a heartbeat and the level of passion and expertise and professionalism should win this bar awards (if not already).

Easy to book, super friendly service. It’s very welcoming for newbies, and the aesthetic is on point.

Such a creative exquisite menu, perfect service, and the highest quality cocktails. One of the top bars in the UK for sure

Best bar in Manchester, actually the U.K. The staff are warm welcoming and make a huge effort to accommodate you. The drinks are fantastic incredible and you will end up wanting to try them all. Highly recommend demo 6

Great cocktails and friendly staff. Cool place to check out

Amazing experience with very unique cocktails. I recommend the quindim drink

wonderful bar in Manchester, the cocktails are a delight and the staff is amazing <3

I have felt genuinely lucky to have come to SiC pretty much since opening. The first night I arrived a few years back - it was my birthday and Nathan & the team welcomed us like friends and literally made my night. The cocktail menu has always been so very creative, with ideas and ingredients not seen anywhere on the scene. Now, with the launch of the new menu - it is another level, such thought, such heart and such knowledge has gone into this. Everyone a unique winner on its own. Even the classics are done extra extra magically. Ps the small plate bites sourced and created themselves are some of the best vegan bites in town. Selfishly I want to keep the best bar in the UK to myself….but I cannot GO - enjoy it very soon, you’ll be so glad you did 🫶 xx

My favourite cocktail bar that deserves to be in the UK (or world) top 5. Amazing service and an excellent playlist. Always recommend to anyone visiting or living in Manchester.

This has to be one of my favourite cocktail bars. A huge amount of creativity and craftsmanship goes into every glass and the attention to detail is incredible. You owe it to yourself to check this place out.

We tried to get in here couple of weeks ago but was too busy so booked to make sure we got in and wasn't disappointed. Great selection of cocktails to choose and staff on hand to help you understand the menu. Will definitely call again

I will be willing to spend all my money at SIC! they are the gold standard of cocktail bars!

The drinks and atmosphere was top-class, we had service from Tom and he was great to chat with and really well-informed on all the cocktails and how they would suit our preferences. SIC is by far my favourite cocktail bar, I will definitely be coming back again.

Blown away by this place. Awesome drinks menu and the bar tenders are very knowledgeable + seem genuinely excited to talk to you about the creations haha

My favourite bar in manchester, home made ingredients, incredibly friendly service, great vibes. World class drinks.

Very classy place, the cocktails were good and I liked the atmosphere. Only sampled one cocktail as my friends wanted to visit more of Manchester but would have been nice to enjoy another cocktail. They seemed passionate about mixology and there was alot of attention to detail.

The vibe is cozy, the cocktails are good, and the menu is absolutely an artwork. But I experienced obvious differential treatment compared to other guests. They treated a posh lady seated next to me very well, and they gave free samples to a cute couple next to me and introduced the owner of the bar to them. Imagine this shot: The owner, the bartender, the guy customer--three local men talking happily but one Asian customer next to them got ignored. Not the worst experience but definitely won't recommend.

Meticulous detail to drinks and a lovely bar. Demo 1 Roku gin, oats and Yuzu is my new favourite drink.

Edit: One year on almost, not realising a new menu had been brought. This truly is 'the' best bar in Manchester hands down, The amount of detail and work that goes into the menu is crazy even for just the classic cocktails. It's a must visit for drinks. Original:One of the most atmospheric, tasty and polite places in Manchester. A must see to visit, a wide selection of inventive drinks and delicious food in a cozy almost speakeasy type vibe. All I would recommend is booking ahead, being seated at the bar was great especially for seeing the skill of the bartender but definitely could've stayed longer at one of the tables.

Super cool little cocktail bar that has a very dark and rustic interior design and a "record album style" menu that they explain to you in full detail before you are seated. The cocktails are masterpieces of creations that explode with flavour in your mouth and also offer some very tasty small bites of food. I have never experienced a bar quite like this one, from the service at the front door and menu overview to witnessing the artist behind the bar bring your cocktail to life. Our drinks were absolutely delicious and this place was definitely worth the visit! Highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city or trying to go out for the perfect drink!

Truly authentic cocktail bar with really great atmosphere and service, the best I've been to in the city. I have to give our mixologist Ben a special mention, he tended to us all evening, genuinely passionate and down to earth guy, made the whole experience very personal.

Strong and tasty drinks, friendly bar staff, good atmosphere. Been twice, will go back again

I had good time here when I came for the Manchester Art Festival last year. Taking the second visit last night it’s as good as I remembered. Start with Dirty Martini followed by Gin-based Track 7 and whiskey-driven Untitled 1. All good. A warm hug from the old friend. That’s the feeling. As for food it’s bar food. Portion is discrete. Taste is decently acceptable. I won’t compare it with formal restaurant since my main intention here is for cocktail. It pays off handsomely.

Hands down the best cocktails in town

Just an awesome cocktail place with some really brilliant cocktail. Very welcoming..

If only there was a 6th star! This place was highly recommended to me and it did not disappoint! I couldn't fault ANYTHING about it. It was a vibe! The attention to detail is impeccable, and the best thing is that it's unpretentious. As soon as we came through the door, we were greeted with warmth. The cocktails were a chef's kiss. Even the detail of the menu, down to the design and concept, was spot on. Bravo!

I loved this place, you can normally always get a table and the cocktails are great. In my opinion, the best cocktails in Manchester and I've probably tried them all........ Update: still great and awesome to see them still here after covid

Really interesting cocktails, and a great vibe. The food was surprisingly nice!! We had one of each dish (buffalo cauliflower, steamed jackfruit buns, focaccia, and mac’n’cini), and all were nice. The buns were slightly underwhelming, but other 3 were AMAZING. The service was really nice, but left us with empty drinks for awhile before checking on us. It’s definitely worth a visit!! I would recommend booking ahead of time, as it’s a small (and popular) place.

The food and cocktails are pretty special. The service is very personable, and the vibes are great. I'd highly recommend it for anyone, but especially so if you are vegan.

Cocktails are wonderful and the service is one of the best you get in town. Attentive, but not too on top of you and let you enjoy your evening. The decor and atmosphere is great. As a lover of espresso martini, I really enjoyed 'Track 10' from the menu.

It's a great discovery. A fairly discreet and confidential place with original and unique cocktail creations. I highly recommend taking a detour.

Excellent, knowledgeable waiting staff and very quirky unique cocktails in a cool setting. My old grip is that the cocktail I ordered was basically all ice for £14. The liquid I did get was incredible but only two double shots worth!

Great vibe. Staff were amazing, gave excellent recommendations. Untitled 3, Track 10, and SiC colada were all amazing.

If you're into cocktails you have to pay a visit to speak in code. A cozy atmosphere with great music and fantastic drinks. The staff are warm and welcoming and have an amazing knowledge of the drinks menu. There's a great variety on offer with some unique offerings. If definitely recommend!

Visited on a Saturday evening and sat at the bar. I love the drinks concept, a lot of interesting concoctions but I recommend asking the staff for their views as they are well informed and skilled. I had a few small plates too, they were delicious. It’s not super easy to find but I love the speakeasy style.

Great bar, amazing cocktails and lovely staff. Absolute gem of a place

Love this place. Everything is vegan. Cocktails are excellent worth the money.

One on one service like no other cocktail bar. Delicious cocktails for the fruity, boozy or pudding lovers or treat yourself to a classic.

Love at first sight - cool decor, cute coasters, great atmosphere and super original LP style menus. Love at first taste - Completely in love with Untitled 3. Super tarty and unexpected. We got to try the paprika'd grenadine and...wow! Love at first listen - great hip hop-y soundtrack giving the place an edgy & chilled vibe

The whole team at SiC were first class. Friendly and knowledgeable with great attention to detail. You could tell how passionate everyone was about the cocktails and the story behind the bar which made for an amazing experience. The flavour combinations and profiles of the cocktails were some of the best I've ever had!

Excellent speakeasy bar in Manchester. Bartenders take their time recommending and explaining drinks and culture pf the speakeasy.

Fantastic cocktail bar. They were busy but attentive. Drinks were great. Just sublime.

Came for some after-dinner drinks on Monday. Amazing hospitality & service from Brett and the guy who looks like Kratos(didn't catch his name sorry). They delivered their drinks with charisma, warmth & passion. I had the Track 10 which was a 10/10, a cute touch of a bitesized doughnut as a garnish. Can't wait for the next round.

Lots of choice of great drinks, a lovely, cool atmosphere and really friendly staff. I asked them to make me a mocktail with kumquat and hibiscus with anything else they wanted and what they made was so good! Would highly recommend.

Schpenny with a capital SCHPer. But the absolute passion for mixes from the staff, especially Brett, on display was worth every penny. Atmosphere was an absolute pleasure, and every recommendation based solely on "I like rum" was perfect. Genuinely the best piña colada I've ever had, which sounds very basic, but this was not that.

First time visiting and will 100% be back! Amazing little bar, staff were so knowledgeable, explaining the menu. The cocktails themselves were so good. Definitely worth paying more for better quality

Honestly some of the best cocktails I have ever had. We were served by Jade who was an absolute delight and super knowledgable about the menu. Thank you Jade 🥰

Easily the best cocktail bar in Manchester. Their twists on classics are fantastic but it’s their original drinks that take this place the next level. Beautifully balanced and generous with the booze. As a whiskey/bourbon lover, I absolutely loved the Untitled 1 and Track 11. This place more than competes with some of the so-called “best cocktail bars in the world”.

Cannot rate this place highly enough. The drinks are amazing and very special in their own right, but what makes it so wonderful is the staff. All were amazingly friendly and made us feel very welcome, you can tell they believe in this as a business and what they are producing.

Everything you want from a speakeasy, tucked away down a dead end alley. They could easy lower the light levels. I had an amazing Untitled 1, bourbon stout cacao and orange coffee amaro, beautifully smooth and treacly. My wife had the Untitled 4 and daughter had Track 10. Happy customers all round.

I visited this bar last December after being intrigued by the numerous high reviews. The ambience was warm and welcoming, with soft background music playing at a reasonable volume, quiet enough to be bothersome. However, I felt that the space was somewhat cramped. Despite this, the staff were incredibly courteous and willing to assist. I ordered a cocktail, but I cannot remember which one since I'm not a regular cocktail drinker. It was delicious with intense flavours, particularly the coconut. Nevertheless, I was surprised that the drink was tiny and ridiculously expensive. I felt uneasy and thought that I was charged excessively for only a few sips. The toilets could be improved; they were small, not clean, and appeared outdated. Hence, I can't rate it more than four stars.

Amazing service by every single member of the team, But especially Becky ❤️ Incredible creativity, Fantastic atmosphere, We will be back real soon :) Thank you 😊

came for my 18th , got extremely looked after, cocktails were amazing, service as amazing . recommend for classy exciting drinks, hidden gem xx

Great cocktails and amazing service. Will definitely return

Great little place. Staff are amazing, so friendly and knowledgeable about cocktails.

Absolutely fantastic experience. Our server David was incredible - courteous, patient and very helpful. Drinks were amazing witha good variety. Great atmosphere and theme. Definitely recommend for a few drinks on a date!

If I could give this venue 6 stars I would. The cocktails are second to none but ultimately it’s the fantastic service, intricate knowledge and hospitality that keeps me coming back. Jade & Brett and the rest of the team are excellent. On the occasion I messed up a booking, the team were great at being able to accommodate my group even though it was a tall order and I wouldn’t have held it against them if they couldn’t do it. Keep up the good work, I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.

There is a reason it’s hard to get into this place, brilliant cocktails and even better staff

Incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming staff. Best bar in Mcr hands down imo.

Speak in Code is our go to spot in Manchester. It’s sort of become a routine to start the night here at a bar which offers high class cocktails with high class service in a high class environment. Brett has always looked after us and we always leave knowing more than when we came in! The detail that goes into each drink is sublime, and the teams ability to adapt to the customers knowledge and experience and show you a different side to cocktails is second to none. We look forward to our next visit again and again, and we are excited for what the new menu will bring! (If the Colada stays we won’t complain!!)

Brilliant redefining the cocktail experience 👌

Outstanding cocktails . They really put the effort to create cocktails that stand out , they’ve managed to be new innovative and stand out. The menu is divided really well and has some out there flavours but also caters to those seeking a more traditional cocktail , helpful and kind staff even when busy . Food was also 10/10 , had a mocktail as well and although didn’t stand out as much as the cocktails for the price it was good . Everything was very reasonably priced . I highly recommend . All vegan is a big win also ! <3

I dont think I have ever been anywhere so perfect, small enough, intimate, but not quiet. I was on a business trip and looked for craft cocktails nearby my hotel in deansgate, this gem of a place popped up and looked like my kinda place. Man was I right and while I was expecting a great experience, it still wowed me and left me absolutely in love. I showed up without a reservation, I was nervous as I know most small places like this are booked days or weeks in advance, I begged them to let me sit at the bar, and after a little back and Forth internally they said they would accommodate me. Beautiful decor, hip hop playing, great vibe and visuals, I was introduced to Bret, who would be my bartender. What a bartender he was, Ive been to many similar places and he was BY FAR the best bartender I have ever seen, in terms of friendliness, service, and loves his craft. Plus he was fast, efficient and a perfectionist, everything you need in a bar like this. I had 4 different cocktails, all so unique and well constructed, perfectly balanced and the edible garnishes that enhanced and elevated the drinks were all well planned and executed. I was nervous about it all being plant based food/drinks since I was hungry but DEAR GOD, I had the cauliflower wings (buffalo) and Mac&cini bites, I was not expecting them to be great let alone amazing, again left speechless and ate every last bit. Thank you Bret for an unforgettable perfect experience, I hope your management knows how lucky they are to have someone of your skill and craft! You made it an art to watch :)

I cannot speak highly enough about Speak in Code (SiC). It's by far one of the best cocktail bars I have ever been to. It has really creative drinks, an extensive menu catering to all tastes with a really interesting, intimate atmosphere. The team have an obvious passion, interest and knowledge of all the drinks and are happy to cater for you. The team, atmosphere and drinks create the best mix for a cocktail bar, and is absolutely perfect.

Amazing cocktails and unmatched service! Brilliant cocktail bar!

Very nice moody atmosphere. Feels very upmarket and chic. Lovely, friendly service.

Great experience, good food, great drinks and good vibes. Will return soon!

Service was great! Cocktails are all made by the people that work there. Cocktails are different and innovative.

Amazing experience! The staff were informative and went above and beyond to help us choose drinks. Other places in Manchester have similar prices but the drink quality here is great. If you like cute hidden cocktail bars with amazing drinks and friendly staff then this is the place for you. Everything was very clean and the seating layout was very good for a smaller place. We loved it and will definitely be returning! Thank you.

Great bar to try at least once! The drinks were all given track names, the menus were designed like albums and even the coasters were mini vinyls - very cool! As we didnt have a reservation, we were sat by the bar. We absolutely loved seeing our drinks being made and our bartender was extremely attentive and friendly. All the food options were vegetarian and vegan friendly, too! The melon inspired drink was delicious (9/10), but we had another which contained vanilla and pandan which was a little overwhelming (7.5/10). Still an excellent bar. Would definitely recommend.

Loved the place, the atmosphere is great, cozy little hidden gem. Service was amazing, the guy who served us was very friendly and knowledgeable. Great range if cocktails. 100% recommend this place specially if you want to impress your date!

Bar tenders are soo genuinely attentive,friendly, customer oriented and want to serve/guide you to have the best cocktail and experience. A lovely ambiance and very cool interior. Would definitely recommend and return. Nibbles were great too - I’d recommend some kind of burrata /cheese / protein dish to complement fried food and to go with focccia . Excellent 👌

Easily the best bar in UK! I have no words for the excellent level of servive, cocktails choice/quality and the super chill atmosphere. All staff are super knowledgeable and always helpful. I’ve been here so many times and every time I felt extra welcome. This is such a gem!

Two visits in the space of a week before and after Christmas 2023 and both visits were fabulous. We love the fact that everything at SiC has taken time and effort It is a fantastic example of people who love what they do, dedicating their time to doing it, and serving customers with real care and attention. We will be back and with more friends who we know will fall in love with Speak In Code. Thank you, we loved, loved, loved it!

Amazing place for cocktails. First class service, a broad interesting menu. A mixture of classics with a modern twist and more out there creations. Venue is great too, a chilled speakeasy vibe with low lighting and decent music. Had the boa buns and cauliflower bites from the snacks menu which were also great. Great for date night drinks or quiet drinks with friends and family.

Went here for a couple of pre-meal cocktails as part of a family birthday celebration. We all had a great time! Tried a varied selection of cocktails and they all went down well. Staff were lovely and offered great advice when choosing. Lovely atmosphere, will definitely be coming back again soon!