SO accustomed are we to the luxury and all mod cons of Taste of Manchester Towers we hardly need a creative bolthole – £100 for a year’s membership – less than 100 metres away. Still The Daisy on Tib Street certainly looks tempting, though its well-stocked bar while fuelling creativity might well stymie productivity.
It’s underneath Evelyn’s in what used to be a small store remarkably well-stocked with booze and other of life’s necessities. Now totally transformed, its creator, Evelyn’s co-owner Sax Arshad describes it ‘a creative, like-minded co-working and events space’ – ie a place to hang out and enjoy a cup of Ozone coffee by day, and after dark sample some cocktail creations or dip into a wine list curated by Peter Honegger of Dalston Austrian specialists Newcomer.
We washed up one afternoon to check it out before the members only daytime policy kicks in from March 1 and loved it. Maybe with one reservation – low slung couches with equally low-slung tables may hinder working on your laptop, though there is also a work bar in the middle of a very smart, cosy lounge. Much nicer Friday and Saturdays when it becomes primarily a bar, open to the general public.
It’s not charging by the time spent (8p a minute) like nearby creatives hub Ziferblat, but you are only guaranteed one cup of complimentary coffee on your arrival. And what happens when a compact space is too full to find a seat? Will it work?
Sax is adamant it will: “London has many of these types of member venues and I think it will work really well here. The Smithfield Buildings are iconic and well-known in Manchester. Using the industrial features in the basement, we worked to enhance it with a natural ‘upgrade’ rather than a forced one.”
Make your mind up about the retro chic fit-out. It’s still open for a look around until the end of the month. And if you can get the charming barman to rustle up a Negroni, as we did, you might start signing up before you leave!
The Daisy is open daily Mon-Fri 9am-6pm and evenings Wed-Sat 6pm until late. To enquire about membership visit this link.
The Daisy, G18 Tib St, Manchester M4.
