THERE’S probably no one individual done more to promote quality spirit brands in Manchester than Dave Marsland, aka Drinks Enthusiast – his inaugural citywide Rum Festival in June is already sold out. Now he has joined forces with the owners of Riddles cocktail bar in Altrincham to launch a specialist rare spirits shop nearby called Riddles Emporium, with the tagline ‘Liquor and Sundries’.
Located at the former Ivy House site on Regent Road, the Emporium hopes to contribute towards the regeneration of the Altrincham Market area, sharing the same vintage vibe and focus on classic cocktails of the bar on Greenwood Street.
Dave told us “The most important thing for us is to share our passion for quality drinks, to enthuse others to be more adventurous with their choices and to introduce or take them further into the wonderful world of spirits and cocktails.”
That is already being championed by Riddles Prohibition-style speakeasy, run by Del Lowe and Emily Rostaing and featuring in our Taste Top 10 Altrincham.
The shop will also host he occasional classic cocktail masterclass plus regular small tasting events on Friday and Saturday evenings, while to accompany the launch, Riddles bar is releasing a series of cocktail instruction videos entitled ‘Making Drinks At Home’.
Emma explains: “The intention behind these short videos is to inspire people to be more adventurous with drinks at their own social gatherings and to bring what we know into peoples homes.
“Obviously we love making drinks in the bar and nothing can beat the atmosphere of going out for a drink, but on those nights when you can’t get out or just need some peace and quiet, Riddles Emporium and these videos will give you the tools to create the perfect serve yourself.”
Follow Dave Marsland @DrinksEnthusiast
Meanwhile, Apres Bar on the site of the former bookshop close to Altrincham Market, has reopened at The Cellar with the emphasis expanded beyond wine bar to encompass a 30-strong cocktail list and draught beer. It's the latest project for James Fennell and Oliver Calveley, who ran online craft beer retailers, Brewbank.
The food offering is at the planning stage but the duo promise a “bottomless brunch” on Sundays, featuring unlimited Prosecco and Bloody Mary.