The Whim Wham Cafe

I’m sorry Whim Wham, I always forget about you. Maybe it’s the location? Or the slightly too expensive price? Or the slightly odd atmosphere? Or that you’re slightly out of the way, even moreso that other ‘southern quarter’ (cringe) establishments like Gorilla?
All of the above. There’s been no mention of the food yet, however, which is (most of the time) stunning. Real British classics done well — and I’m not conflating British classics with leathery steak, here, either. Minted lamb, beef shin, slow-​roasted chicken, potted meat, oh my!
There have been some occasional let-​downs. Another chicken dish was tiny and under-​seasoned, though forgiveable. The Sunday lunch, though, was a trainwreck — I’d initially opted for the beef, which honestly would have been better out of a microwave meal. To be fair, service has always been pleasant (if somewhat inattentive) — it was precisely the (correct) decision to offer an alternative (the belly pork, which was pretty good) and then halve the cost of my main (without asking) that gave me confidence enough to return — though not, it has to be said, on a Sunday.
And every time I’ve returned since the food has always been exceptional, hence the 5 stars. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Marble Arch on form, but Whim Wham is far, far more consistent.
Décor, as I’ve mentioned, is interesting. To be (brutally) honest, and despite being still a (relatively) new opening, Whim Wham’s décor went whooshing past «new», flirted with «vintage» but then ended up decidedly «shabby». Yes, there’s a certain charm here, but it’s not the kind of place I would take anyone to impress, at least in terms of atmosphere.
A quick note on the drinks — I’ve only really ever sampled the (excellent, if limited) beer selection at Whim Wham, but everything just seems a tad too expensive.
Overall, though, for consistency (and for being my go-​to to take non-​natives for British food in Manchester that leaves everyone impressed) Whim Wham deserves 5 stars. But it’s not somewhere that truly blows me away, which is sad.

Called in here tonight for a swift leaving drink with a colleague. Upon entering I was expecting a cool, bohemian kind welcome and experience but this didn’t happen. Instead, it was all very formal — being met by a waitress at the door to direct us to be seated just didn’t match up with the rustic and chilled out interior and setting of the place.
Such a ‘hostess’ approach is more akin to a trendy cocktail bar, not an understated bar in a pretty standard and non hot spot area of Manchester nightlife.
Aside from the initial disapointment experienced upon entering the bar, I should point out that the place does have a really good drinks menu — wine, craft cider /​ale, cocktails and over five different gins. However on that note I was shocked to find that my Hendricks came with flat tonic water!
The other annoying thing is that they only offer table service and that just didn’t fit in with the look and feel of the place, not to mention the delay taken with the drinks being brought to our table. Table service does of course lead to other issues, such as paying — this took ages and given the size of our group you can only imagine the wider problem of splitting the bill.
I don’t won’t to be negative about this bar because potentially it had a lot going for it. Such as the menu, which was quite extensive and the quirky food offers such as ‘sausage Wednesday’. However, I think in summary, it needs to work out what it wants to be — either a restaurant, bar or cocktail place.
In essence the customer experience needs improving. It should scrap the table service for drinks, put some tunes on and become a general bar with a more chilled ambience because it certainly has the foundation for being a really cool place but seems to try hard at being something it isn’t…and that hinders its potential.

Really loved the age gone by feel to this place. Had a charming vintage feel to it made me want to wear a circle dress with oodles of petticoats under it and fashion my hair in victory rolls :)
Served some rather lovely gin based cocktails too accompanied by a swing band! I really wish i could remember the names of the ones it tried but one was off their daytime menu and had a rose based gin in it and the other off their evening cocktail menu was a longer gin based drink topped of with ginger beer (I say! what what!).
Whilst sipping on my cocktails i did somewhat suffer from food envy at the plates of wholesome looking grub going to the table next door. Will be next on my eats list if not just to have excuse to re sample the cocktails and hopefully remember the names this time :)

Ah, to be a gentleman in the era of gentlemen. To know the smell of good pipe tobacco, the twist of a perfectly waxed moustache, the comfort of a fine port on a wet winter’s evening. Whim Wham Café cannot transport you back to a bygone era of tweed and chivalry, but it can conjure up the flavours and etiquette of a time gone by.
Perched in the ever-​swelling strip of bars and eateries on Whitworth St West, Whim Wham offers a unique menu and dining experience in what was until very recently a grey and drab side of town. With the recent additions of Gorilla, Black Dog Bowl and the like, this area has become more of a hotspot for groups and night owls, and if you are in this part of town looking for dinner or a cocktail, Whim Wham should not be overlooked.
The menu is carefully crafted and perfectly executed. Using many locally sourced ingredients, the chefs have recreated some classic British dishes with a modern twist, and have rekindled some altogether (when was the last time you had potted crab?). The menu also combines some contemporary favourites with traditional flavours, which work remarkably well (honey & star anise glazed ribs. Boom). Rather than offering stodgy pies and overcooked vegetables, the kitchen here really get the most out of each ingredient, and dishes feel fresh and carefully prepared.
Service is really cheery, and the staff are more than willing to recommend drinks and dishes, and to accommodate unusual dietary requirements (I’ve visited recently with celiacs who were bowled over by the options available to them).
Alongside a delectable menu Whim Wham offer an assortment of cocktails in their Gin Saloon. I’m not usually a big gin fan, but the cocktails bring together some really interesting flavours with some unusual gins, and after a couple of rounds I was converted. Try the ‘Lemon Mellow’ with lemon curd and black pepper if you really want to push the boat out.
The décor is a little chintzy, but you can see that the aim is to whisk you back to a bygone era, and I imagine that someways down the line the place could be fully refurbished to realise Whim Wham’s potential. Well worth a visit.

I can only review the «bar» part of this vintage café cum gin saloon place.
Continuing the encroachment of interesting places into dull areas of Manchester, this café lives in one of the auto-​parts style arches on Whitworth St. Inside the décor is pleasing enough, with little vintage touches knocking about. I think they’re somehow related to the club night of the same name which celebrates all in the way of old things.
They’re making a big thing of gin much like upstairs in the nearby Gorilla. But on my visit, I felt their cocktails needed work. Of the ones I tried only their version of a G&T hit the mark (and this one I *do* recommend).
Gin is still unloved by many these days. This is a great shame, as when handled carefully, it can make great cocktails. I’m going to come here again, but right now they need to work on the cocktails some more (or maybe drop the prices).