Some months back we spotted the tell-tale signs of suited men with clip boards entering and leaving a mysterious doorway just below the 'Fit 2 Dance' shop on Stevenson Square. This was soon followed by a planning application to turn the place into a 'basement wine bar'. "Who wants to sit in a basement and drink wine?"; was our initial thought. Shortly followed by "A wine bar? Isnt that a bit 80's?". 

Obviously, we welcome new additions to the bar and culture scene in N4 but were a little suprised at what seemed like such a bad location and concept. After a few weeks the signs above the entrace read something along the lines of "Lease available due to previous applicants backing out"! So it looked like the plans were off. However, there has been a flurry of activity over the last couple of weeks, and a trail of dust foot prints leading in/out of the doorway forming a river delta like suggestion of frantic actvity has been evident. This combined with what appears to be a fish tank at the bottom of the stairs persuaded us to do a little investigating.

So delving a little further we were pleasantly suprised to find that indeed a new bar is set to open just across the road from the no solong opened NOHO bar. Evidence that the Northern Quarter of Manchester is fit and healthy and expanding despite 'the recession'.

"Manchester’s independent bar scene will get another injection of youth this autumn, with Hula set to open in October, aiming to bring a bit of Tiki charm to Stephenson Square. Inspired by the bars that popped up in 1940s America as servicemen returned from overseas duty loaded with exotic souvenirs and a taste for a cocktail, Tiki will attempt to bring a little tropical nostalgia to this rapidly expanding little extension of the Northern Quarter. ‘Beach – kitch’ is the expression they use, while promising colourful drinks, good time vibes and reggae island sounds.

The 200 capacity venue will sit in the basement of 11 Stevenson Square, a refurbishment conceived and managed by Bernard Carroll, the man responsible for the interiors of many of Manchester’s other top bars, including Panacea, Sugar Lounge and Walrus. It’s meant to look like a beach hut, apparently, with wallpaper inspired by sand and palm trees, a stone fronted bar and many artefacts and trinkets from around the world, as well as a huge tropical fish tank, all aiming to make you feel like you’re a million miles from the wet, grey streets from whence you came.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, cocktails will be the main selling point on the drinks front, with manager Alex Johnson having created a unique menu. The likes of Pirate’s Booty (‘strawberries and watermelon, brought together with a slug of cane spirit overflowing with waves of fruity delight’), Head Shrinker (rum shaken through with coconut water and honey to give an unforgettably fresh experience with an intense punch’) and Sweet Leilana (‘rose petals and coconut rum with a whisper of lychee carried on the breeze’) will no doubt help the punters forget their week at work and relax into the tropical Hula vibe.

Available in huge vessels, intended for sharing, the cocktails sit alongside a drinks menu that offers over 100 varieties of imported rum. Owner Mark Andrew, who also runs Walrus, says, 'We hope that Hula will both compliment and propel forward Manchester’s alternative scene within Stephenson Square. Hula will be the only basement bar in Manchester where you can order a banana daiquiri whilst admiring the tropical fish!'"

Hula will be opening in October 2009.

Opening hours will be:

Sunday-Thursday: 5pm - 12am

Friday and Saturday: 5pm – 12am