She basically grabs whatever she can find, including brandy, banana liqueur, vodka, Febreze, red wine, Capri Sun and lemonade – all to create a drink that will get you smashed within 2 minutes.
Unfortunately for some, this selection of top Sangria spots won’t be as strong. Fortunately for the rest of you, they actually taste nice and won’t make your liver turn into sludge for 48 hours. Check them out…
Bar San Juan
This is a general rule of thumb in life. If you walk in somewhere and they have something on tap, it’s only polite to have a few glasses of it. There are those posh Wetherspoons with wine on tap, a Mr Whippy van with ice cream on tap, and the fantastic Bar San Juan in Chorlton with, you’ve guessed it, Sangria on tap. This place is the bee’s knees and so it shouldn’t take Sangria to get you through the door – the food will do that. There’s nothing better to go with your excellent tapas though than their punchy, boozy concoction. I promise I’ll never use the term ‘bee’s knees’ again. Sorry about that.
Bar San Juan, 56 Beech Rd, Manchester M21 9EG
0161 860 0498
https://www.barsanjuan.info/
Sandinista
In typical Spanish (and my mum) fashion, Sandinista have pretty much just decided to lob whatever the fuck they want into their Sangria, and boy is it tasty. Their Sangaree comes laden with brandy, red wine, lemon, soda, raspberry beer and a final flourish of genius – cinnamon & almond syrup. It’s almost like drinking a boozy liquid Cherry Bakewell, but one that would get Mr Kipling so fucking leathered that he’d try it on with Aunt Bessie and make a fool of himself.
Sandinista, 2 Old Bank St, City Centre, Manchester M2 7PF
0161 832 9955
site.sandinista.co.uk/
Tapeo and Wine
A relaxed, classy and very sophisticated venue on Deansgate here and home to some of the best tapas in the city. Their Aubergine crisps are worth a visit alone, and their freshly cut serrano ham is out of this world. While relaxing and enjoying the fabulous food you’d be an absolute idiot not to get one of their sangrias down your neck – because they are ace. They have a Spanish Cava Sangria which is just fantastic, especially when enjoyed on a warm day with some fish. You won’t be able to just have one so you might as well make a night of it.
Tapeo & Wine, 209 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3NW
0161 832 2770
https://tapeoandwine.com/
Evuna
There’s a couple of Evuna’s knocking about the city, one on Deansgate, another in the NQ and probably another one somewhere that I’ve walked past loads of times but not registered. I’ve never actually eaten in any Evuna before, but I have drunk in the Deansgate one so I can tell you exactly what their Sangria is like. Well, it was around 4 years ago so I can only remember bits. I was pretty drunk at the time of course. They put vermouth in this one, which I personally think is a nice touch, as well as helping it being too sweet. They also add red wine, brandy and orange liquer to the pot, sir and serve with ice. Lovely.
Evuna NQ, 79 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1LQ
Evuna Deansgate, 277-279 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EW
https://evuna.com/
Revolución de Cuba
It can get pretty repetitive writing about the same bloody drink over and over again which is why I usually add a load of nonsense to what I’m writing to try to keep you (and myself) interested. This is not necessary for Revs de Cuba however because their Sangria is bat-shit crazy. It contains the following: Campari, Bacardi, Merlot, Lime, Sugar and that amazing San Pellegrino blood orange fizzy stuff which is perfect for a sunny stroll in the park. So, it’s both delicious and lethal – exactly what you want from Sangria.
Revolución de Cuba, 11 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
0161 826 8266
https://www.revoluciondecuba.com/bar/manchester/
La Bandera
A lovely little hidden gem this one, La Bandera is located just between John Dalton Street and King Street, next to South, and if you’ve not been yet, get yourself down there ASAP. To be fair this list has pretty much just turned into my favourite Spanish restaurants hasn’t it? However, a theme that seems to be turning up is that if they do the food well, they do the Sangria well too. La Bandera is no exception here, you can get some top dishes in you while washing it all down with some sweet, ice cold Sangria. It’s bloody strong too so watch yourself!
La Bandera, 2 Ridgefield, Manchester M2 6EQ
0161 833 9019
labandera.co.uk
Levanter/Baratxuri
I’ve not got a clue how to pronounce Baratxuri, which is another reason why it’s a good idea I’m not on the radio or telly. Number one, of course, would be my awful accent and tendency to swear as much as a Tourette’s sufferer who’s just stubbed their toe. Head on down to Ramsbottom and you’ll find these two fantastic Spanish restaurants, each one serving up different Spanish dishes every week. The Sangria is also always fantastic, loaded with brandy, red wine and more fruit than a Lilt woman’s hat. Perfect with 5 plates of tapas in front of you.
Levanter, 10 Square St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9AT
www.levanterfinefoods.co.uk/
Lunya
One of my most favourite places in the city, not only is Lunya a restaurant but it’s also a deli which serves up the best Spanish meat and beers anywhere in the city. Their Sangria game is bang-on too with a couple of options available for anyone experiencing ‘The Thirst’. Personally, I prefer their Cava Sangria which comes with Cava (obviously), triple sec, cranberry and lime. Not to take away from their White Wine Sangria but personally for me it’s a bit sweet – there’s too much fruit in it. I don’t want to have too many vitamins in one day – my body isn’t used to it.
Lunya Catalonian Deli, Restaurant & Bar, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BB
0161 413 3317
https://lunya.co.uk/manchester/
