Hidden away behind Cross Street and St Ann's Square is the cellar bar Corbieres. This really has stood the test of time when many similar type bars have failed. And the secret? Good beer, good wine, good ambiance and a fantastic juke box. The cave-like interior appears chiselled out of rock, with some odd decor and a great pinball machine rounding off the characterful place.
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Real ale was on, albeit just the one, though this was well kept and tasty, despite advertising four ales on the sandwich board up on street level. Whilst it was quiet when we were in on Saturday afternoon, this is still a ridiculously popular bar and one of the best overall pubs in Manchester, made even better for its hidden location and "best-kept secret" status. Corbieres is certainly worth searching out if you haven't been before, and if you have then you'll already know how good it is. To top this place off is the fact that it was opened by City legend and professional Blue, Mike Doyle, as Corbieres Wine Cabinet in 1978 (Corbieres being a rather unknown wine region of France).
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Corbieres Wine Cavern, Half Moon Street, 1990. (c) deltrems at flickr.
Corbieres is one of my favourite places in Manchester. Literally a true 'hidden gem'.
ReplyDeleteLove the music in here, always play some manucian tunes.
ReplyDeleteI was in a band (Soul Exit) and we played there a few times in 1984-85 and we had Andy Rourke and Mick Joyce come and see us one night.
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