Lock 91

Had my hen do here last year and had a fab time! They accomodated my music and decorations without issue and the cocktails were immense! Not like other Deansgate Lock bars — a league of it’s own!

Lock 91 is a lot better than a lot of the bars along Deansgate Locks. It’s décor is nice with lots of exposed brick, open fire places and wooden beams. The service is friendly and there is a relaxed vibe. This bar is good in the Summer as it has an outdoor terrace which overlooks the canal. The drink selection is good but the wine is a bit low quality especially for what you pay. Lock 91 is worth a visit if you are in the area.

I am not a fan of the bars on Deansgate Locks… the chain bars and perma orange tans are just not for me. So when Lock 91 opened and invited me down to try their cocktails I was a little dubious to say the least.
The old lock keeper’s cottage has been given a new lease of life with several little cubby holes to sit this really is a bar to bring a newspaper/​magazine and while away an afternoon. The owners Andi and Gary are keen to appeal to the residents of the city centre to provide somewhere you can come either as a group or on your own after work and feel comfortable. They have certainly done that and I’ve spent a few hours here in the past on my own having a natter with them or just reading my book.
Their cocktails are worth a look too… quite inventive, they are trying to push the boat out and bring something different that you can’t get in a cocktail bar. They have some great spirits on the back bar that is ever changing as they get new and different stock.
They have regular DJ sets in their upstairs club area as well as BBQ’s in the summer on the terrace with lots of plans for new events on the days they aren’t currently open. I, for one, can’t see what else they come up with.

So… a new bar on the Locks in what is one of the quirkiest buildings was due to open last night… obvs I had to convince my boss that in the interest of seeing his competition we should go and take a snoop. So, swapping my door attire for clothes found in lost property (poor planning = fashion faux pass) we trundled down to what was House 9, now transformed into Lock 91.
My initial impression was that the door staff were friendly and attentive, but that the initial bar impression was not great. It was overly lit, and felt a bit like when your school tried to turn the common room into a bar for the prom; however, this soon passed. The bar staff were friendly, and apologised for the teething probs (no card machine, the till not working) and we were promptly served our drinks. One of the 3 owners was doing the rounds, and seemed really down to earth — not like most venue owners on opening night. The range of drinks was good, and cocktails look worth a try too — sadly I was on energy drink as working so couldn’t try these! We then went for a nosy — happily there is a pool room on the same floor as the main bar, but I felt that there was more! Upstairs we found the VIP lounge — an opulent lounge that would look more matched in a film about gentlemen retiring to the smoking lounge! There is also a great space for dancing and the music was a blend of commercial music and urban beats… the venue has maintained the raw brickwork and beautiful arches! Feeling like there was still something missing, we chatted about the venue and the owner mentioned before asked us what we thought of the basement… that was the piece we were missing! This is the icing on the cake… the basement is of the same gentlemen’s smoking lounge styleee but with a good bar and lots of room for chatting and partying! Oh and for the smokers… a great smoking area with tables and chairs overlooking the canal.
All in all I think that this could be the one to watch over the next couple of months… I for one will definitely be back to sample the cocktails…