‘Wow. Gob smacked’
18:53, 29 May 2025Updated 19:03, 29 May 2025
Ego Death, specialising in Champagne, cocktails, and bourbon, only opened its doors in the Northern Quarter in November(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
A ‘hidden’ cocktail bar is reported to be closing its doors just six months after first opening in the city centre.
It is understood that Ego Death, which is located in the basement of burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, will be closing down after service on Sunday (June 1).
The bar, which is accessible via a fridge door, only opened last November and is co-founded by Cressida Lawlor, who has previously worked at the likes of London Cocktail Club and Sexy Fish.
With a name representing ‘the act of dropping all issues and self awareness’, Cressida said at the time of opening that the bar had a ‘no egos’ policy and intended to serve good cocktails, alongside an array of bourbon variations and Champagne.
Previously speaking to the M.E.N, Cressida said the vision for Ego Death came about having wanted to open her own bar for ten years and said the Northern Quarter spot had ‘fallen into place’ with what she had in mind.
Ego Death co-founder and cocktail expert Cressida Lawlor(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Speaking of the venue, she said: “Think of us as a rugged, diamond-encrusted knuckle-duster. If you found a knuckle-duster in the street that’s a bit rough and ready but solid silver, that’s us.”
The venue was opened in partnership with Super Awesome Deluxe founder Beau Myers, who was also behind the original Almost Famous brand until it closed all its sites at the start of the year with staff losing their jobs. A new company, unrelated to the original, has since taken over the Almost Famous name.
In its short time, Ego Death has been recognised for its drinks and ambience and was also recently named a finalist in the New Bar of the Year category at the CLASS Bar Awards last week.
The CLASS Bar publication was the first to report that the venue would be closing down. In a comment posted on Instagram, Cressida commented on the publication’s report: “Truly gutting but there is always light in any form of darkness.”
Ego Death opened below the Super Awesome Deluxe burger joint on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
She added: “Come see us this Sunday for the final service. As we go through a true ego death.”
The publication has suggested that Cressida is now seeking a new site and investors to continue her vision. The Manchester Evening News has made numerous attempts to contact Cressida, representatives for Ego Death and Beau Myers for further details on the situation.
Commenting on the reports, many of the bar’s visitors also shared their sadness at the prospect of losing the venue. One person wrote: “Gutting news for the team, sending all the love and I’ll be excited to visit Manchester again to see what you’re all up to next!”
Another said: “Can’t wait to see Ego 2.0, love to you all.” One other person wrote: “Gutted, hoping to see what comes next.” Another commented: “Wow. Gob smacked.”