This Northern Quarter pioneer has reinvented itself with a new look in the main bar, a new barbecue-led menu based on an imported American smoker and, most exciting of all transforming the basement into the Smithfield Social, dispensing its own 1920s influenced smoky cocktails in appropriate surroundings – beaten metal walls and mustard leather booths. The Social is run by Tiki Tony, who has been given full rein to add a smoked element to some classic cocktails. Just 10 of them, which you can only get in this section. Aztec Old-Fashioned, Gingerbead Man-Hattan, Monsieur Basil, Gentleman’s Tipple – the names alone are enticing, the prices reasonable at between £8.25 and £8.95. It looks a great place to book for a private party. Food recommendations upstairs: beef ribs with a dark and sticky honey and bbq sauce, chilli and caramel  chicken wings, plus sides of while parmesan and truffle, sour cream fries or mustard potato salad).

This venue is listed in our Taste of Manchester Taste Charts: