I love a little hideaway. One of those bars you find where you can stash yourself away for a couple of hours – on your own or with a friend (or more). Coffee, glass of wine, a nibble or two, and a good book, your laptop, time for a catch up, or watch the world go by.
For some reason, for me, that’s often a wine bar. I’m not quite sure why – not because I always have a glass, I don’t. Hand me a good cup of tea and I’m a happy bird. But maybe it’s because the timing fits. It’s usually late afternoon, before I head somewhere else. Away from the office, often away from people (maybe that’s also why I choose a wine bar, not everyone heads there at 4pm on a weekday). I mean, one thing I think we appreciate more now is that it can take energy to people. And sometimes we need a break from that before we dive in again.
Salut has long been a favourite spot to do this. Abel Heywood too (glass of Chardonnay, plate of chips and bearnaise sauce). Now I have a new venue to add to this growing list. The Mews.
Deansgate Mews as a whole is a little hidden away. Head up the (now delightfully colourful, if still hosting the odd wobbly stepped) steps opposite the Hilton, yes both sets, and you’re there. Hidden up there is more than you’d expect – wine, beer, noodles, even a fancy deli. And that includes The Mews Bar and Charcuterie.
Wine, cocktails, and boards. Bottle of wine and a board for £20 (cheese board or cured meat board, both supplied by The Crafty Cheese Man), or if you need something a little punchier, check out their cocktail menu.
We popped by for a pre-event catch up – bottle of wine and a cheese board for sharing. The selection of cheeses is everything you’d expect given their supplier, ripe, delicious, moreish. Almost making us wish we had longer and more cheese (next time). Add in a bottle of crisp rose, and the time to put the world to rights, in cosy surroundings, and you can see why we’re immediate fans.
Though we didn’t have time for a second cheeseboard, we did have time for a quick cocktail before we left. Black Forest twist on an espresso Martini for her, fruity twist on a Margarita for me. Well balanced, delicious, and again, moreish.
We left promising to be back. Dangerous for me, because it’s next door to my gym – and I’ve already spotted the craft beer bar further along.
I can’t wait.