Speak In Code in Manchester

Fantastic atmosphere and drinks! Staff was lovely from start to beginning with fast service!! Thanks to Jo for looking after us!

Nice and chilled with smokey hip hop vibes....like!

Genuinely one of the most creative venues I’ve been to in my life. Service was exceptional. Thank-you to Cin & Joe for having us.

A great atmosphere, delicious cocktails (I recommend No. 8!). The service is very pleasant. A very good time!

Never misses. Service and drinks are always fantastic.

Came here after a Monday night concert, the name intrigued us and our options so late in the evening for drinks was limited. We had a delightful time here. The staff were lovely, the drinks were slightly pricey but the quality was there and I loved the twist they had on classic cocktails. Not a huge whiskey drinker but the dandelion whiskey cocktail was divine, had to fight my husband off from steeling it. The atmosphere was great for chilling out and chatting to your spouse. Overall wonderful experience here. Would certainly come here again on our next date night. Little shout out to Brett and another gentleman but didn't catch his name, really nice guys and very attentive.

Perfect vibes and perfect cocktails. Feels like NYC in Manchester.

Me and my partner came here last night from derby very friendly staff and amazing cocktails.

Some of the best cocktails and side plates I've ever had. The merch and alcohol available on their website is beautiful too! The dandelion gin isn't lasting long in my house!

Beautiful Cocktail Bar in Manchester, the staff is super professional and the ambience is perfect. High quality cocktails. Make sure you boot a table if you find yourself in Manchester during the weekend!

Came to Manchester from Sheffield for work tonight and wanted to have a cocktail before heading home. Ended up trying here, and I can’t thank the staff enough. Sin the bartender was very knowledgeable and friendly. I had a Demo No. 8 which was probably the best cocktail I’ve ever had and he recommended the Demo No. 9 which was also fantastic. The staff here were very accommodating and looked after my bag, and I got chatting to other guests who were very friendly. A huge thank you to all the staff for such a lovely evening.

Amazing service, great atmosphere and the drinks were amazing though a little on the pricey side. Still worth it, will be back.

Incredible!!! We hadn't booked but went in and was pretty much treat like royalty. This is not just a cocktail bar, it is an experience!. I can't recommend it any higher.

So found this place last night after a great meal and I have to say… it’s a must visit if you’re in Manchester with friends or a date this place is a hidden gem. The atmosphere from the moment you step in is so warm and welcoming and on top of that the guys who run it know their stuff and have a genuine love for their craft and the quality of service. I will definitely be back again really soon. Thank you for a great experience.

Lovely place and the host was extra attentive and accommodated all of our requirements. Can't wait to come back.

Personally for myself I’ve seen this bar rated the best bar in Manchester plenty of times, I wouldn’t say so but I would say that the service and ambiance of the best is definitely the best, the smell of the place is intoxicating and the cocktails are okay but the way the bartender explains them is amazing, more menu selection is definitely needed

You’ll struggle to find a better bar in any city.

Drinks are the best in town! Staff are so friendly and welcoming!

WAW. Attention to detail 6 out of 5. Not overcrowded, can actually talk. Making cocktails an art form. Enjoying the hip hop DJ. Bravo.

If you’re in Manchester and looking for an unforgettable cocktail experience, Speak in Code should be at the top of your list! Nestled in an unexpected side street in the city center, this hidden gem offers a unique and captivating atmosphere. From the moment you step in, the subtle scent of incense welcomes you, setting the tone for an intimate and cozy environment. While the space is small and charming, it can get quite busy, so reservations might be necessary on peak days. I’ve visited twice, both on weekdays, and managed to get a table without a reservation. One of the standout aspects of Speak in Code is its menu—arguably the most thoughtful and creative I’ve seen. In fact, I’d go as far as to call it a work of art. Between my two visits, a few months apart, I had the chance to experience two completely different menus, each more impressive than the last. Once you’re seated, the incredibly kind and knowledgeable staff will come over to ask if it’s your first visit. Even if it’s not, I highly recommend kindly asking them to share the menu’s story—it’s a delightful part of the experience that adds so much depth to your visit. The ambiance is unmatched, and every cocktail I tried was perfectly crafted and absolutely delicious. Thank you so much Speak in Code team for your passion and dedication to your craft!

Interesting cocktails, expensive but you get what you pay for. Atmosphere was lovely for New Year’s Eve!

We visited first in August and then came back to Manchester yesterday to come here for my partner's birthday. The ambience is great and the service is fantastic. My partner has now tried three cocktails (Demos 3, 8, and 10) and thought they were all delicious. I'm a lot less adventurous than him but loved the Appletini, and when the French Martini was a little strong for me, they very kindly adjusted it. Will definitely be coming back the next time we're in Manchester!

Terrible terrible vibe, extremely unwelcoming, quite astounded tbh. 4 couples on Christmas night out arrived to be turned away as was a 6 person per table limit. Not able to split into two tables of 4, not able to spend our hard earned cash in this “exclusive” establishment, terrible business plan!

Nice venue, good vibes, great cocktails

Absolutely out of this world cocktails. Sin was our server and he was so knowledgeable about the menu. We tried 8 cocktails between 3 of us and every one was amazing. I highly recommend this bar and even more so Sin as a waiter. I can’t wait to come back!

If you are looking for creative cocktails, this is your spot in Manchester. Our host Brett was awesome, and he went over how they create and infuse different drinks and they were so good. Definitely worth the visit when you’re in town.

Fantastic cocktail bar with great menu for both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. The staff are so knowledgeable about the drinks and very passionate about the creations. If you appreciate good cocktails then this is a place to go

Impeccable. Truly a masterpiece of a cocktail bar with attention to detail very much being the star of the show. From the ingredients to the choice of tiles in the bathrooms, a 10/10 experimental throughout 👏🏼

Incredible experience for people who really appreciate quality. Comfortable, laid back atmosphere with super enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff. Truly out-of-this-world drinks and light food 👌

I really enjoyed coming here and will be back soon! The drinks amazing, both off and on the menu. Thank you so so much to Joe for the above and beyond service and recommendations. This bar is knowledgeable, friendly and approachable. Everything you could want 🥰 I didn't have a reservation but I'd recommend doing so.

Didn't eat here but had a few cocktails. The service was spot on and the atmosphere was very friendly but gotta say the cocktails do not justify the £14.50 price tag.

Had no food but visited here with a friend a couple of weeks ago. Excellent service and really interesting to find out about the business and the cocktails.

Amazing cocktails! Lovely atmosphere! Excellent service!

We had a great time - amazing atmosphere. Brett and all the staff were super helpful in accommodating our dietary requirements. We’ll be back!

We had a great visit to Speak in Code at the weekend. We didn’t have a booking but only ended up waiting about 15 minutes for a table, we will book in future and would advise anyone reading this review to do so. The staff are so friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. I don’t think we will go anywhere else for a martini when in Manchester now 😃 thank you so much for a lovely few hours, we will definitely be visiting again!

There are not many bars that I would recommend unreservedly but Speak in Code is one I would. What a fantastic place for a number of reasons: The team: Greeted as if we were long lost friends but in a professional not cheesy way. We were seated quickly offered water whilst we poured, (no pun intended!), over the most amazing drinks menu. The bartenders know the menu inside out and are not afraid to help you if struggling with what to choose. The food is really top quality and a perfect match to the drinks. Sadly I’m not local but I do get to Manchester fairly often and I always make sure Speak in Code has a place on my itinerary. Tom, Brett, Jo and Nathan have looked after our groups with exceptional service every time. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit!

Overpriced drinks, service was good but just terrible drinks to choose from. No from me and my amigo

A really special place and one of the best cocktail bars we tried in our UK visit, definitely our favorite in Manchester and better than many we went to London! Very creative menu which delves into a lot of conceptual, creative items with fermentation, house distillates and infusions but is full very accessible and down-to-earth when it comes to the drinks themselves. Service was great and helpful with explaining the menu. Also, bonus points for the awesome menu which we asked to buy a copy of as a souvenirs too! The vibe is also dark and warm, very cozy for a couple or small group. Great playlist as well. Would recommend this place strongly for a cocktail enthusiast!

Unfortunately they were booked up, didn't realize it would be on a Sunday evening, but it looks so cool inside. Nice staff, next time I'll definitely make a reservation, cosy spot.

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

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

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.

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

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).

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

Great cocktails and friendly staff. Cool place to check out

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.