If the team behind the city centre’s beloved tapas institution, El Gato Negro, and elevated Mediterranean dining dream Canto did competitive bar experiences, they’d probably be the best competitive bar experiences in the world. And that’s exactly what’s happened at the Black Cat Club, a behind-closed-door-style drinking enclave from the team behind the aforementioned culinary delights, hiding away on Brown Street, just off King Street — one of the most prestigious corners of town.
Once inside you’ll quickly pick up on the vibe, with framed witticisms adorning open brick walls, comfy designer seating and plenty of foliage to break up the built environment. Not to mention the iconic cinema-style ‘whats on’ signage, offering an open-armed welcome to all. Games are a big selling point here, with Black Cat Club one of the first bars in central Manchester to offer interactive shuffleboards. A high tech take on the classic game, the table itself can track the exact location of each puck, automatically scoring, or guiding players through mini-challenges to keep them glued.
Not quite your thing? How about darts, with six different game modes to choose from, including Killer and Shanghai? Once done with arrows and, err, shuffles, it’s time to peruse the menu, and there’s a timeless approach to bar food here, only given the El Gato and Canto-quality treatment. Crispy cauliflower, salt & pepper ribs, halloumi sticks, crispy prawns, roquefort salad, buttermilk chicken burgers and cheese bacon burgers. Which is just skimming the surface of the choice. Beyond that, expect to find a top quality range of premium, craft and traditional beers, upper tier spirits, cocktails and wines. It’s also worth noting Black Cat Cafe is a live sports den, making this a great choice for football, rugby and other major events, while Fridays and Saturdays throw DJs into the mix.