Advertised as a place for relaxing post-work or pre-show drinks, a visit to Bar Exchange was paid for the latter and intervals drinks in what is one of Manchester's most impressive interiors, the Royal Exchange. As to be expected, a dreadful selection of beer was on offer - bottles of Becks and Peroni only - so a first ever J W Lees Smooth had to be taken along with a glass of claret (which was kindly replaced FOC when an eager young theatre-goer knocked it over). This bar could be so much more, and attract shoppers from the pub-less St Anns Square, but as it is, there's not much to be said for it apart from it's handy at half-time.
Royal Exchange, St Anns Square. (c) manchestergayvillageblogspot.

