It’s always nice to go to a family-owned spot in the city, and Schofield’s Bar is exactly that. Brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield have over 25 years' of experience in the bartending industry, and had always hoped to open a venue in their home city of Manchester.
The bar finds its home just off Deansgate, a lively part of Manchester that is usually buzzing. Upon completion in the 1930s, the building in which Schofield’s Bar resides was the tallest at the time in Manchester. Now, it still has beautiful art deco touches – like its grand entryway - reminiscent of its unique history.
The bar does accept a small number of reservations, but most drinkers are walk-ins. The menu, as you’d expect, has all manner of drinks to tempt you. There are cocktails, beers, wines, and Champagnes, as well as spirits, gin, and tea and coffee. Cocktails on offer include plenty of classics – Bellinis, Daiquiris, Manhattans and Negronis, for instance. There are also some lesser known but equally intriguing concoctions – Penicillins, Guinness Punches, and the Tattletale, a combination of Highland Park 12 Scotch, lemon, honey, and smoke.
There’s a small selection of food on offer, primarily up-market takes on bar snacks, including olives, a selection of British cheese, and a charcuterie board. For a fun twist on a classic snack, there’s also the option to go for salt and olive oil popcorn, a great accompaniment to a round of drinks.
Perhaps the most charming part of the experience on offer at Schofield’s is the chance to choose a book to read from its library whilst you sip on your drinks. The team here have selected some of their favourite books, which customers can request from the library. Each book on the menu is paired with a matching cocktail – The Old Man And The Sea by Hemingway with a Mojito, and On the Road by Kerouac with a Margarita, for instance. If you drop in alone and feel like a spot of reading, this personal touch will serve you well.