Described by the owners as âan epicurean eatery and gin saloonâ, new bar, the Whim Wham Café takes its name from the long-running, 40s-inspired club night of the same name.
The venue is located in one of the railway arches, built in 1849, along Whitworth Street West and youâll find a homage to retro chic inside.
Run by Alix Walker and Jessica Naven, they say that the big idea is to âfurnish customers with a taste of local, regionally sourced and artisan produce accompanied by an impressive selection of bottled ales and lagers, wines and our own gin saloon cocktails alongside a classic cocktail menu.â
Weâve not had the chance to sample it yet, but on paper at least, it sounds cool. Behind the bar, thereâs a focus on local bottled ales and British lagers.
Regional tipple
Beers on offer include Red Willow (Macclesfield), Beartown (Congleton), Dunham Massey, Innis & Gunn (Scotland) and two British lagers: Saint and Freedom Organic Pilsner.
Dishes youâll want to sample include Lancashire Hot Pot, slow-poached mackerel (3hrs in an apple, horseradish and Worcester sauce liquor) and apple beetroot salad. Thereâs a local cheese and meat platter plus including intriguing off-topic flavours like wild boar ham and venison salami.
Pies are sourced from award-winning pie makers, Gt North Pie Co from Bramhall with ice cream and frozen desert cakes for afters from Gingers Comfort Emporium. Food is served late â typically until midnight and music is different to your indie norm.
Tuck into jazz, blues and swing with weekends showcasing the talents of The Hatstand Medicine Band, live vocalist Laura Aural and a number of local musicians with accordian, double bass, banjos and harmonica. Thursday and Friday are a bit âmagicâ too, with magicians doing the rounds.
Open Tue to Thu, 12pm â 12am, Fri and Sat 12pm â 2am, Mon closed. The Whim Wham Café, Arch 64, Whitworth Street West, M1 5WQ. www.thewhimwhamcafe.co.uk