Established in 2006, and I remember it well, TV21 has undergone a couple of nips & tucks over the years, it’s most recent being a full on facelift and name change by deed poll.
Now known as Bar21 owner Adrienne bills the movie themed venue as being “at the forefront of the ever changing culture of Manchesters Northern Quarter.” The new fit out boasts a better use of space more open with the once central bar shifted to one side allowing for more room to ‘flow’. However the main reason we headed over to Bar21 on this occasion tho was the new food menu.
“We’re not trying to be fine dining or compete with the restaurants in the NQ we just want to offer our customers some good quality food as and when they want it”
Sharing platters, pizzas and meat are the mainstay of Bar21’s offering and I’m not ashamed to say we pretty much tried the lot! Bar manager Dom laid on a veritable feast to make sure we covered all bases and given the portions are pretty generious it’s safe to say we were there for some time. Stand outs for me in the context of the bar were the Ribs and the Wings, perfect for afternoon drinking. The menu has social at the heart of it, there were 3 of us and hands on sharing was definitely the way to go.
There’s an American / Sicilian mix going on with the menu (more weighted on the American side.) The sharing platters boasting a very Italian feel with cured meats, and cheeses mixed with a rack of wings might seem strange, but in Bar21 it works just fine.
Check out the full menu on their site here
The interior as to be expected from the TV21 days is quirky, with posters, memorabilia and various eye-catching props on display over the two floors. The basement floor turning to Club21: Secret Basement Bar later in the evening hosting some of the most talented DJs in Manchester so well worth checking out.
