The team behind the acclaimed 10 Tib Lane are opening a new city centre bar
The team behind Posie, a brand new city centre bar (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Step away from the madness of Market Street and cut up Marble Street and you’ll find Posie, a brand new cocktail spot that couldn’t be more different from its previous iteration.
Until earlier this year, the glass-fronted shop was home to Philpotts, the steadfast lunch spot where you could get everything from jacket potatoes to a tuna mayo sandwich and a decent brew.
Today, and ahead of its grand unveiling in just less than a week’s time, it has transformed into a sophisticated yet cosy cocktail den thanks to three hospitality experts.
Posie has been brought to life by the team that created acclaimed restaurant-bar 10 Tib Lane, which opened in the former Bock Biere site in July 2021.
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Sophie Robson, who previously ran venues including Joshua Brooks, Gorilla and Deaf Institute, and her partner Joe White, known for making world-class cocktails in some of Manchester’s best bars, joined force with Ben Gretton, who had previously launched the late-night ramen restaurant and bar CBRB in 2018, to create 10 Tib Lane – and now they’re channelling that success and know-how into Posie.
The former Philpotts site on Spring Gardens has been transformed into a cocktail bar (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Located in Bruntwood SciTech’s Bloc building, the destination bar features blush walls and a washed-concrete aesthetic with plush booths and seating spread across its two levels, while it’s feature bar made up of intricate tiles is where all the action happens.
“Our background is bartending and I’ve worked in music venues for many years, so we opened 10 Tib Lane thinking it would be very much a drinking venue, and it quickly turned into a restaurant, which we loved and Joe fell in love with food and became one of the chefs, but there was still that part in the back of our minds that we wanted to open a drinks bar,” explains Sophie Robson.
“Cocktails are really important to us and something we enjoy creating and drinking, so it was definitely an option. We would have done it a few years ago but we wanted to get 10 Tib Lane settled.
Inside Posie, the new drink-led venue in Manchester city centre(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“It’s about a four-minute walk between both venues so it means we can have similar but different atmospheres. It’s very cosy at 10 Tib Lane, very good for a date night, because it’s an old Edwardian townhouse, whereas here we’re at Bruntwood and it’s more a skyrise, massive big windows, very open and lends itself really well to what we want to do.
“The big dramatic difference of the change here is the bar, it’s very simple but we’ve put a lot of love into it.”
Despite the tricky trading landscape too, Sophie and the team are confident in what they’re doing with Posie.
Inside Posie in Manchester City Centre(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“It’s probably the worst time in the last 5-6 years to open a hospitality business, the past year has been brutal for everyone with the cost of everything going up has, but as long as you’re managing and succeeding, and you’ve got a busy venue it’s ok, and two venues is better than one.
“10 Tib Lane has settled to a point where we know it will succeed which means we don’t need to worry too much and that we can start to put effort into something else without worrying about dropping the ball with that.”
Posie’s drink menu will be the focus with an extensive collection of cocktails and aperitivo.
Posie will serve signature cocktails, classic drinks and aperitivo as well as elevated sharing plates(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Working through the menu, the Milanese Spritz made with Portobello road gin, dolin dry, Campari, lemon and sparkling wine, is one of the many drinks to start guests off, as is the Cacao Nib Negroni and Cafe Torino, before progressing onto cocktails like the Jalisco Soda and classic pours.
As well as familiar tipples including takes on Pina Colada, Bloody Mary and Pisco Sour, the last page of the menu nods to the owners and their team with a rotating cocktail served in several ways depending on how each like it.
For Posie’s launch its a classic martini, whether serves Sophie’s style as a Vespa, Jonny’s as Dirty Vodka or Ben’s version of the drink – Extra Dry.
Pork Belly Skewers served with garlic honey and red pepper (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“There won’t be a massive difference in the structure of drinks because we think simplicity is key. Sometimes people can be a bit over the top with ingredients, so we’re keeping things simple, and it’s the same with the food, but we do want to spend more time and effort on seasonality,” adds Sophie.
“We’re going to have a cocktail on keg as well, but it will all evolve very naturally over the next weeks and months, but you also go back to the name Posie, it nods to flowers and how they’re used in drinks and we’ve been using them for thousands or years, whether to make us happier or medicinally, so it has a massive importance so we’ll be using a lot of fresh produce to reflect that.”
To complement the drinks offering, Posie’s food menu offers a selection of seasonal, quality small plates, designed with the same expertise and passion for which sister venue 10 Tib Lane is renowned.
Cured Brill served will celeriac, apple and chervil (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Designed for people to order to go alongside a drink or just as a snack, the well-executed food options include Mussels Tigres with seaweed and mayo; Littlewood Hogget Merguez Sausage with spiced opinion and sauerkraut; Holy Grain Sourdough with spring onion butter; and Confit Chicken and Wild Mushroom Croquettes with tarragon emulsion.
There’s also Pork Belly Skewers served with garlic honey and red pepper, Bitter Leaf Salad, with fennel, buttermilk dressing, pistachio and cherry, and a Bar Plate packed with Isle of Mull cheddar, curing rebels cuvee salami, pickles and salted pecans.
Those looking to complete their meal with something sweet can also opt for Posie’s desserts such as the Sticky Honey Brioche with baron bigod and thyme; Apple & Miso Terrine served with calvados Chantilly and walnut crumb; the Dark Chocolate Truffle with armarena cherry; and a classic affogato.
“The food side is important but it’s more casual here. You can just order a couple of plates while you have your drink and hanging out. It’s not like I want to book a reservation and go for dinner.”
Alongside drinks, Posie will serve elegant small plates and delicious bar snacks(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Guests will also be able to enjoy an aperitivo and oyster happy hour every Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm until 4pm, with £8 aperitivo and £1 oysters.
Matt Pazos, Retail Commercial Manager for Bruntwood SciTech, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Posie to the Bloc community.
“The team’s unique style is clear to see in the space, transforming it into a beautiful and inviting bar with an innovative menu offering that is testament to their expertise. Posie will make a fantastic addition to Manchester’s food and drink scene and we can’t wait to see how the brand grows in the coming months.”
Posie will officially open its doors on Tuesday, 4 November and will be open 12pm until 12am Tuesday through Saturday; and 12pm until 10pm on Sunday. Food will be served 12pm until 9pm every day.