The Liquorists to open Reserve bar on King Street

You may have spotted the Liquorists dotted across bars and pubs here in Manchester. They walk among us, teaching those who’ll listen their vast knowledge of everything that they can impart about liquor and spirits. Which is a lot. Their tours could, admittedly, be booked via their website – but they were until now an intangible bunch, popping up all too infrequently with their whiskey and rum trails, and later the Gincident bar. Ever the innovators, though, the Liquorists are now bringing two firsts to lower King Street in their new licensed premises, spread over two floors at the old All Saints store. A venture that will open on Thursday 10 October with a ground-floor tasting evening and then take them past Christmas, Reserve by The Liquorists will be the first of its kind in Manchester, offering a unique mix of retail on the ground floor – where customers can taste and buy high-end spirits such as Tanqueray Gin, Don Julio Tequila and Zacapa Rum – and anyone who buys a bottle is invited to pop upstairs to the Liquorists’ world-class cocktail bar to learn how to make their own drinks. The bar will double as a creative drinking experience and events space too, hosting themed nights including live music, interactive drinks masterclasses (£10 per head) and special food and drink tastings. It promises to be a unique drinking experience in Manchester’s high-end shopping district.

Reserve by The Liquorists, 52 King Street, M2 4LY, launches Thu 10 Oct then open Tue – Sat 11am – late, www.theliquorists.com