Manchester's Northern Quarter(NQ) is synonymous with the City's music, clubs, and creative types. Yet on the surface the area has looked a mixture of independent enterprise interspersed with run down & long forgotten disused buildings.
Over the last 12-18 months however the area has seen a number of these buildings renovated and turned into newly available properties. This in turn has facilitated and perhaps encouraged the arrival of many new retailers and bars. This is a great achievement, of which the area should be proud, especially in the current economic global climate.
In recent times a joint venture between the guys from 'Frog & Bucket' comedy club and 'The Northern' pub have turned an old and disused venue into a welcoming venues for gigs & club nights. Then there was the open of 'Trof' the 3 floored big brother of Fallowfield's favourite student pub. Even more recently was the arrival of 'Dough' pizza restaurant & adjoining bar 'Apoteca'. Add to that a number of clothes shops including 'Renegade Marmalade', the refurbished 'Cord', and even a strongly rumoured extended 'Common' bar.
Rumours have been doing the rounds for several months towards the end of 2008 that a new bar was due to open in Stevenson Square. Almost as quickly as the plans were revealed for this 'Basement wine bar' in the tiny unit below 'Fit 2 Dance' the for sign went back up announcing 'Lease Available. (Not sure if a basement or any other type of 'wine bar' is suitable for NQ in 2009).
Disappointment however, was short lived as it came to attention that another bar was planned. NOHO, is located in an unlikely location. Part obscured by a couple of bus shelters opposite the former Stevenson square underground toilets, the venue sits opposite the 'Soup Kitchen'. 
The prior occupant of this new venue was a clothing wholesaler and so the bar benefits from huge full height windows on two sides. So not only is it a nice bright venue perfect for watching the local creative types walk past, and the bus stop hermits, its also a great place to sit and be seen (if that's your thing).
When closed the bar is identifiable by its big blue shop like shutters -a throw back to its former life- but when open its distinctive yet simple neon sign leads you to the newest bar in town.
Its owners Simon Chang & Rebecca Race, explained that -despite speculation- the bar is a play on the name of the Soho area of New York but with a 'Northern Quarter' twist. Rebecca's, explained that the name just seemed to fit with the area, since NQ is Manchester's equivalent as a centre of arts & fashion.
The connection between the two cities doesn't stop at the name, with all the tempting cocktails on their menu carrying the names of New York streets and landmarks. Priced at £5.50 each they aren't the cheapest, but if they have the quality the venue suggests, then they should be worth it. Bottle of beer and ales will in the region of £3.00 and bottles of wine priced around £12.50.
To keep things fresh the selection of beers, ales and wines will change on a regular basis to ensure you never get bored but always get to drink the latest and best selection. Giving you a reason to visit again and again.
Having done what they describe as 'hours of leg work' the owners have tried to create a venue which offers something not currently available elsewhere in Manchester which will evolve with time. Catering for young professionals the bar will be a more laid back affair during the week with good but background music "that doesn't get in the way of talking". Whilst at weekend the music will be supplied by local DJ talent, but still allowing for conversation.
The decor is definitely retro, with a nice and varied selection of furniture from the 60's & 70's, which 'Pop Cafe' would no doubt love to sell in its basement shop. Contrastingly the two internal walls are decorated by 3 talented artists from the Upperspace / Sketch City collective. This is a strange but interesting apocalyptic scene which flips between strong orange colours and black & white. The art work is actually quite subtle, and when viewed from the correct perspective the scene flows seamlessly across juxtapose surfaces.
As if by design part of this artwork features a large screen, onto which films will be shown throughout the week, providing background entertainment. On the quieter nights you could even pass the time challenging your friends to any one of a wide range of board games.
NOHO promises to be a welcome addition to the Northern Quarter and opens its doors on Wednesday 21st Jan 09, with an unofficial opening warm-up taking place Saturday 17th Jan from 8pm.
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