Raise A Glass: Dusk Til Pawn

Craftily disguised as a retro-looking pawn shop, with a convincing fake facade full of bogus props including guitars and TV’s, Manchester’s Dusk Til Pawn is easily one of Northern England's quirkiest drinking spots.

Perfectly positioned in the city’s always bustling Northern Quarter district, just off Stevenson Square, this aesthetically amusing American-style speakeasy - a former fortune teller’s den - is so well presented as a pawnbroker’s that you’d be excused for walking past it without ever knowing it was there. But if you know where to look, what to look for and you’ve got a particular knack for sniffing out phoney establishments, it shouldn’t be that hard to find. Emphasis on shouldn’t…

Unique to the many bars that surround it from every angle, Dusk Til Pawn deals in the more refined bar experience, offering its punters some much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle outside. A quieter place to hunker down, to sit and chew the fat over a varied menu of craft lagers (Manchester Union being one of them), IPA’s and some truly magnificent and carefully crafted cocktails.

Upon walking through the door on your very first visit, you should expect to find a troop of well-groomed and stylish bartenders, all of whom are well versed in the art of mixology and know a thing or two about conjuring up a damn good alcoholic beverage. The look of the bar behind which they operate bears similarities to the false shop front exterior, featuring even more fictitiously pawned items, and has an early 1900’s prohibition feel about it. It’s one of few speakeasy venues we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting that really nails the brief.

Boasting its own inimitable atmosphere and swagger, no matter the time or day of the week, its warm and welcoming, dimly lit interior is usually saturated with the low hum of idle chit chat and music, pouring out of the venue's free-to-play old school jukebox.

Somewhat considered a hidden gem on the Manchester nightlife scene, it’s definitely worth searching for and visiting if you ever find yourself bar hopping or out for a few evening tipples in the city with friends and family.

There’s always something new to tempt your taste buds in terms of cocktails on the menu, with an ever-changing rota of weekly specials, including reimagined classics and brand new concepts, and plenty of dependable draught lager for those who prefer their refreshments by the pint.

Keep up to date with events and find even more information about the popular Northern Quarter bar on their website - www.dusktilpawn.co.uk

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Head over to the Manchester Union Blog to read more of our 'Raise A Glass' features with bars the likes of The Refuge, The Carlton Club and award-winning street food venue, GRUB.