CityLife

Tom's Champagne Bar

Tom's has a stylish design

Tom's Champagne Bar
(House Of Fraser)
City centre
December 2009

Overall: 4/5

CAPITALISING cleverly on the growing surge of Christmas shoppers is House Of Fraser’s timely launch of Tom’s Champagne Bar.

Nestled by the side of the women’s lingerie and dress departments, the speciality bar – like the surrounding products – will probably serve to satisfy a spontaneous urge to splurge rather than become a regular stop on the drinking circuit.

But the bar ticks a lot of boxes; the service is friendly and professional, the design is stylish in a modern mumsy kind of way and the drinks offer is highly refined.

A lift up to the third floor delivers you directly to the circular, freestanding bar. There are six or so tables each to the left and right, but if you prefer to avoid being exposed to shoppers the right-hand recess offers a more private experience.

The wine and cocktail menus are about quality not quantity, and the beer choice is either Peroni Gran Reserve or French import Kasteel Cru.

However, the USP of the bar is undoubtedly its champagne selection which ranges from the house Mumm Cordon Rouge NV at £45 per bottle or £8 per glass up to the £1,200 Salon, Blanc de Blancs, Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, 1990, of which there wereonly 2,000 ever produced, with Tom’s Champagne Bar stocking two.

With added extras like Demarquette Single chocolates for £1, tea, coffee, paninis and cakes, Tom’s Champagne Bar offers a quality respite from the seasonal shopping chaos.

Tom’s, House of Fraser, Deansgate Manchester, M3 2QG (0844 800 3744, houseoffraser.co.uk).