Barca, Manchester

Uber-trendy Castlefield hangout with a couple of local ales on cask, although I'd imagine they sell significantly less than the range of draught lagers such as Grolsch Blonde and the cocktails. Funky seating and pumping music; Not a place I'd usually frequent but reasonable enough on a night out with friends (suspiciously quiet on a Friday night). Not a feature I usually feature on my reviews but the bogs in this place are downright odd, with overhead lighting above the urinals constantly changing colour which doesn't really help when you just want to have a slash.

Once upon a time this bar and restaurant was owned by the ginger prat from Simply Red. We were here to celebrate the 10 years since the bomb party around the same time. It's been closed for a while but has recently reopened. It's got a great outside patio for watching the world go by. Inside they've done it up in a bit of a 70's retro style. There's all sorts of weird and wonderful chairs and stools in very bright colours. After the debacle beer wise at Dukes 92 I was pleasantly surprised to find that as part of the refurbishment they've added two handpumps, Black Sheep bitter at £2.50 and TT Landlord at £3. I had a pint of the Landlord and went outside in the sunshine. The pint was very good as was the view, so I had another. There were 6 staff on, all very efficient and the 4 girls were all good looking. The two guys might have been as well for all I know. I went to the gents just before I left to find that these had been given a makeover as well and the urinals lit up and flashed different colours at you which was rather disconcerting. They've made a good job of this place in my opinion and good luck to them. I think I'll be back.