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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jenna Campbell

Chorlton and Northern Quarter favourites set to open upscale cocktail bar in south Manchester

Beech Road is preparing to welcome another cocktail bar - and this one comes courtesy of the team behind The Lead Station and Tariff & Dale. The new neighbourhood spot will be called 97 and is expected to open at the end of January.

It comes as Ancoats bar The Jane Eyre prepares to open its second site on Beech Road, taking over from popular drinking spot The Parlour. Meanwhile, 97, will offer a ‘intimate, elegant and informal place’ to enjoy ‘creative, quality cocktails’.

Guests can expect signature serves alongside classics with a twist, served by a warm and professional neighbourhood team. The drinks menu will be an inventive collection of cocktails all crafted in-house by the 97 team, led by general manager and mixologist Ellie Caddick.

Read more: Ancoats cocktail bar all set to take over Chorlton favourite

Over the summer, Chorlton-native Ellie undertook a six-month tour around Europe, stopping off at some of the most prestigious bars on the continent, developing her passion for innovative cocktail creation and thoroughly herself along the way. Now Ellie is bringing those skills home to her own neighbourhood as part of a vision to offer vibrant, signature cocktails without pretension to Beech Road.

The Negroni Blanc (Laurence Hudghton Photography Ltd)

Nick de Sousa, owner of 97 as well as The Lead Station and Tariff & Dale commented: “As the space became available right next door to The Lead Station, Ellie had just returned from her travels and she was keen to get involved in a project that would display her skills. We were discussing how we could do this as the keys literally landed on the table.

“It just seemed that the stars aligned and 97 was born. I have been part of the Beech Road community for more than 20 years and custodian of the Lead Station for the last 15.

“Chorlton is a special place with real authenticity and soul, which I’m really proud to be part of. We are hoping 97 will add something new and different to this scene.

The Lead Station in Chorlton (Supplied)

“It is a tricky time but, now possibly more than ever, I believe that people still want places to meet and socialise. People still want to be looked after with warm and intimate service and, fundamentally, people still want to enjoy great hospitality. I am really looking forward to us bringing all that together in 97."

The drinks at 97 will combine innovation and progressive mixology with timeless classics in an atmosphere of true modern hospitality. Ellie and her team are aiming to create a distinctive destination on Beech Road where everyone is welcome and guests are able to escape from the outside world for refined drinks and laid back vibes.

Nestled just next door to The Lead Station, the team have breathed new life into the space to create a beautiful, thoughtfully designed bar for the neighbourhood and beyond. With an intimate 35 covers, 97 will be cosy, warm and low lit, using a mix of natural materials, muted colourways, large mirrors and brass accents.

The cocktails will sit alongside a curated collection of fine wines, craft beers and premium spirits.

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