Bar Review: Cane & Grain again

Cane & Grain has just opened it’s doors in the Northern Quarter.

This venue, comprising of three very different bars is, we suspect, going to be a big hit in the NQ, simply because it offers such differing scenes under one roof. Both myself and Chris have visited more than once over the last week or so, and have had rather differing experiences – especially when it came to opening night. Rather than edit, or try to merge these two experiences together, I’ve posted them, at the same time, but as separate pieces, giving you, the reader, the opportunity to decide for yourself!  

Whereas Chris was in a rather grumpy (I don’t think he’ll dispute me using that word) mood when he went to the launch part for Cane & Grain, I wasn’t – I’d had a busy day and in fact hadn’t intended to go the opening night as I had plans. Unfortunately due to cancellations these plans went up in smoke and so I ended up going anyway.

I’d visited C&G ahead of the opening night. I’d been at a lunch time and so had been given the tour of the building. Downstairs is a skater style bar, relaxed, open, the kind of place where anything goes. On the first floor, cunningly hidden, is a Speakeasy bar, full of wood panelling, Chesterfield style seating and a twist of elegance that’s definitely not downstairs. Finally on the second floor is the Liars Lounge – intended to be relaxed tiki – the more easygoing cousin of the Liars Club.

The ground floor is probably the one I like the least. I can’t tell you why, because I’m not really sure – especially as it seems to be where I know the most bar staff already. Maybe it’s because the graffiti on the bar reminds me of high school and I hated high school. Or because skater style passed me by?

The only thing I can think of is that the atmosphere doesn’t seem as, well, comfortable for me as the others. Maybe it’s because the seating is all metal bar stools and the bar is high (I’m only short) and doesn’t feel comfortable to perch at – something I’m used to doing on a week night while bending a bartender’s ear.

The first floor, the place where I spent most of opening night and the lunch time when I sampled the food, is very much more my cup of tea. Chris in his post sees it as more of a VIP space and certainly on launch night there were VIPs in force – some from music or telly (and I never know how to react with them. I’m a dull little blogger who scribbles in her spare time, it can sometimes feel downright odd).

The first floor is more of a restaurant really. You can book in advance, or there’s a desk downstairs for reservations, so you can wait in the ground floor bar before you are shown upstairs. Here is plenty of cushioned seating, still relaxed, but limited covers and a smaller space make it feel more intimate and relaxed than the hustle and bustle of downstairs.

Unfortunately on launch night, this floor too was rammed. It was loud and hassled and the intimacy and comfort I’ve experienced on much quieter days was completely lost. It became a hot, windowless crowded room. Thankfully, this isn’t likely to be regular occurrence  you are much more likely to be dining and chatting in comfort, admittedly overlooked by Anthony the brass tiger and the four taxidermied squirrels on the walls (the one closest to the bar is call Bernard by the way – Bernie for short).

Upstairs is where I worry a little. You see every time I’ve been to Liars Club there have been bartenders involved, alongside the hashtag on twitter #tikiasfuck, a very hazy memory the next morning and a good dose of the rum ‘shakes’. Messy.

The Liars Lounge has a lot more squishy seating and a lot less space than the Liars Club and feels a lot more relaxed, but I still worry, I guess that it’s still going to be seen as just a smaller version of Liars Club. And I cannot imagine what it might be like to escort someone a little the worse for wear down all those stairs.

Back to launch night.

After arriving, I was whisked upstairs, back to my favourite spot for people watching (sitting underneath Bernard, watching other people freak as the fur on his tail flutters in the air conditioning).

Soon joined by Keeley, Kate and a host of others, we ogled the menu. There’s a daily house punch created for this floor, served in dainty tea cups and this kept us going while we debated and our tummies growled over the scent of food from the kitchen.

Light and fruity, this kept us distracted, before I spotted the Dirty Daiquiri – oh my yes. The ‘dirty’ element comes from Laphroaig, it’s peaty, almost TCP scent muddying the flavour into something delicious. Ideal for a whisky lover like myself.

Keeley and Kate couldn’t resist the New Orleans Fizz and I can’t blame them – not only did it look pretty, but the floral, creamy notes were gorgeous.

We sipped, chatted and watched the room fill up. Soon it was crowded and busy, with photographs being snapped of all the celebs and pretty people.

More cocktails we thought.

Kate stuck with her Fizz, but I was feeling a little indulgent and opted for a Sazerac – after all a good Bourbon bar should have a good Sazerac. It was a touch on the sweet side, but good all the same and when the food arrived. Oh yes.

The food here is meat heavy. Smoked meats, ribs so tender the meat falls off the bone, rib tips, and sides galore, including the tiki fries and the best tater tots I’ve had in a very very long time. These are seasoned, flavourful and look more like croquettes than the commercial ones which just look like someone has hacked at a potato with a melon baller.

For the veggies there is a macaroni cheese – that I have yet to sample, but am told is excellent (next time I go in, I swear) and currently a special that pleases me greatly.

A gin salad.

Yes, you read that right. Watermelon and blackberries are steeped, compressed even, in Bombay Sapphire and it’s served with leaves and Feta cheese. Pretty, boozy and yet healthy. I call that a win.

So verdict?

This one is going to be an interesting one I think. As I say, I love the first floor, even the second and the food and drinks on offer are excellent.

The team too is great and even just a week in, you can see, feel even that the teams are gelling together well, that they’re settling into their roles easily and comfortably. True, there’ll probably be one or two shuffles around, but the base is there.

So I think this one will be a hit. I’ve been four times since it’s opened – on both busy nights and quieter days. I love the hidden nature of the first floor – and hope that it’s not going to turn into something too exclusive that feels pretentious and outgrows itself. Given it’s from those behind Liars and Black Dog, I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Either way, next time you fancy a beer, ribs or something a little more #tikiasfuck, go give it a try. Tell me what you think.

With thanks to Chris W Parker for the additional (more professional, better looking) images.

The food and two of the drinks consumed during the launch party and the lunch where I sampled some food were provided free of charge. All other drinks have been paid for.