Room

A welcoming reception and cloakroom on the ground floor leads up a the first floor bar and restaurant situated in a gorgeous old building, once the city centre Liberal Club and, in later years, the former home to the infamous Reform Restaurant.

It's a large room divided by the bar – drinking on one side, eating on the other. By day the bar makes a lovely spot for a coffee or glass of wine, it's expansive windows overlooking Manchester's grand King Street, at the heart of the shopping and commercial area of the centre. By evening, the place livens up significantly, with up to 120 diners taking their place while the cocktails flow at the opposite end of the room. High ceilings and the biggest red light shade you've ever seen give the place an airy feel and the interior is a good mix of the old and the new, where flock wallpaper adorns a space next to an old carved fireplace.

The food is very good. There's a big grill selection, as well as other favourites – fish and chips, Moroccan halloumi salad, lamb hotpot – and the desserts are heavenly.

Overall, this is a classy experience without the pomp and snobbishness of similar venues in its price bracket.