Gin joint of the month: Allotment, Manchester

For city dwellers, even a hint of nature can be a tonic for the weary urban soul. And, for the residents of Manchester, that respite comes with a healthy measure of craft gin!

At Allotment, nestled in the city’s hip Northern Quarter, the great indoors are accessible right in the city centre. 

As Allotment’s Daniel Good explains, “The concept is inspired by the UK and its great outdoors – we’re almost trying to go al fresco indoors. The bar is pantheon to plants, with stripped back décor replete with clean wooden floors, picnic benches and nooks and crannies littered with trowels and spades nestled behind a metal trellis.”

Here denizens of the urban jungle can find a moment of peace and quiet – and a gin selection 80 bottles strong. “We’re a bit of a secret garden – an oasis in the heart of an industrial city. If you’re trying to escape the hustle and bustle, a corner of Allotment is the place to be,” says Daniel. 

The best and brightest craft gins in the world feature on Allotment’s gin list, but local gems take pride of place. As Daniel says, “The people of Manchester love to support local, and tourists love to see what the indigenous gin is like in Manchester!”

And, best of all, you can take a personalised tour through the best bottles, courtesy of Allotment’s impeccably trained bartenders. They know the botanicals and flavour profiles of every bottle, so they can guide you to the bottle you were born to love. “We know that every customer’s palate is different,” Daniel says, “and so our staff know these gins inside out. Then we can pair the right person with the perfect gin.” 

But don’t stop at the perfect serves. Daniel and his talented team also offer up a selection of amazingly inspired and impeccably mixed cocktails. “I often have an inkling of an overall taste or idea which I want to replicate in a cocktail – a snowy walk, or an apple pie,” says Daniel. And this list is full of the best and brightest ideas from the entire team. He continues, “The best thing about cocktails at Allotment is that anyone can get involved. We encourage all our bartenders to experiment and, if it’s good, we’ll put it on the menu.”

While you may come for the gin, don’t forget to cast an eye over the food menu. Allotment is deeply committed to using sustainably-sourced ingredients on their seasonal menu, and the spring dishes are no exception. 

Daniel says, “This menu is taking us in a new direction, with small sharing dishes rather than a three-course menu. We want to encourage people to sit down and enjoy our gins whilst sharing some lovely, homemade food!” 

Seasonal ingredients, a restoring atmosphere, and amazing gins and cocktails – in the heart of the city, Allotment is a gin lover’s oasis.