Corbieres Wine Cavern, Manchester

Corbières is something of a Manchester institution. It’s a basement bar in the city centre, but hidden away below what was once a bookshop in a side street off St Ann’s Street. The doorway is decorated with mosaic tiling, and there are often some empty casks to alert those who’ve not visited before. Originally a wine bar, it is named after a wine producing area of the French Pyrenees.

Narrow winding stairs lead to a single and somewhat cavernous room with a bar at the far side with a famously retro jukebox. After some time in storage the lizards have returned.

A small kitchen is squeezed into a space at the end of the bar and produces good value snacks such as soup and deli plates.

Two cask ales are offered, along with some interesting foreign bottled beers and cocktails.

The single room fills up quickly and attracts a young (and young at heart) clientele.