FAVOURITE hang-outs in the city? Roc & Rye has to be up there. For craft coffee and cocktails immaculately done in a sympathetic conversion of a landmark Grade II listed building. Hence we are looking forward to the official launch of this indie newcomer’s first signature cocktail menu to the general public on Saturday, September 30.
We even forgive the pretensions of its title, ‘Hard Shakes and Heartbreaks Vol.1’. Hardly Hemingway, cocktail hero of co-owner Sean Finnegan; more Mills and Boon when it promises to take us on “a journey through the five stages of a relationship – Infatuation, Tumult, Rediscovery, Devotion and Rapture – and have your emotions stirred whilst our drinks act as your chaperone.”
Phew. Attractive sounding chaperones, mind. Cocktails ranging from ‘Set Sail’ (a modern twist on the classic New York Sour) to the ‘Lost at Sea’ (a visually impressive sharer made from Jameson Coopers Croze especially for 2-3 people) and the ‘Tanoa,’ named after the style in which the bespoke handmade ceramic bowl that it comes in.
“The latter, a blend of stunning tropical flavours, such as burnt mango and lychee, with a heavy kick of rum and absinthe, all flavours of which are no doubt set to send you into the same emotional state that it originally transpired from (Rapture).” Quite.
Roc & Rye, 60 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ. 0161 414 0057.