The Alchemist Manchester Spinningfields

The Alchemist in Spinningfields was the original of three Manchester venues and has a good-sized outdoor terrace and plenty of copper colours and bronze hues. And while base metals don’t magically become gold here, theatre is promised at The Alchemist.

This is evident not least in the cocktail department – sorry, molecular mixology – where names such as the Bubblebath and Smokey Old Fashioned reflect the content (and sometimes fleeting special effects) of those chemistry lab beakers and flasks stacked behind the bar – sorry, apothecary. Interesting serving ideas seep over into the food menu, too, and you can experience “delicious all-day dining with a twist”, including popcorn chicken with Sriracha mayo and Pan Asian-inspired sharers of dumplings, spring rolls and gyozas. Flavours are both trad British and hyperglobal, with all tastes catered for, from a healthy bang bang salad to a carb-heavy plant burger served with fries. Think along the lines of “miso buttered” steaks (fillet or ribeye) and fish and chips, with “black activated charcoal batter”, salt beef and pastrami bagel and Cajun breaded halloumi. Arrive early doors and check out the All That Glitters bottomless brunch menu, which, for a fixed price, gets you three Chambord-based beverages and a pairing dish from the likes of a veggie bennie to The Full Alchemist, complete with Bury black pudding and buttered sourdough toast.

Afters are just as showy, from blood orange gelato to churros: tossed in sugar, injected with caramel and served with hot fudge sauce.

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