Opening soon: New York-inspired bar, NYQ for Northern Quarter

The red brick buildings of the Northern Quarter have often been used as the backdrop for New York street scenes by production companies on a budget, and (if you squint a bit) you can definitely see it. The passing resemblance that the neighbourhood shares with the Big Apple has now been fully exploited with reports that the former Cord site will soon become NYQ, a cocktail lounge and club that takes its cues from 1980’s New York. Once a Northern Quarter institution, Cord quietly closed its doors as nightlife in the area boomed and the competition grew. Many Manchester residents still have a soft spot for the Dorsey Street venue, so an announcement that the building will be revamped and reopened is welcome news for that corner of town. Spread over two floors NYQ will house a relaxed cocktail lounge and bar, led by Master Bartender Ben Scorah on the upper level – expect laid-back vibes and an impeccably made Manhattan. The basement will remain an intimate stripped back space that comes alive each weekend, with resident DJs hosting nights that relive the heady days of New York’s vibrant underground club scene. The ethos of NYQ appears to be fairly straightforward – good cocktails, and a decent place to have a dance. A back to basics approach for a bar with heritage and cultural clout? It might just be what the Northern Quarter is missing. For more food and drink news click here.

Opening end of April 2018. NYQ, 8 Dorsey Street, Manchester, M4 1LU. www.nyqmanchester.com