CityLife

Bar Wizards Lounge

Bar Wizards Lounge 1 / 2 images

Bar Wizards Lounge
Rochdale
August 2011

Overall rating: 5/5

(Casual Dining)

If Simon Cowell gives you the thumbs up the bar is set pretty high – excuse the pun.

Because the Bar Wizards Lounge offers some of the best poured cocktails in Manchester.

It is run by two of the world’s best flair bartenders, Neil Lowrey and Neil Garner, who reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent 2007 with their juggling drinks act.

Two years later they launched The Bar Wizards Lounge which has become a firm favourite with cocktail lovers of all ages.

But it’s not all about disco drinks, there is also a swanky little restaurant in the upstairs of this unique bar.

My starter of grilled goats cheese (£4.95) was served atop a rocket salad with cherry tomatoes and red onions dressed with pesto, crunchy pine nuts and balsamic syrup. It was simple but delicious; a perfect summer treat.

Across the table my friend enjoyed Mexican style fish cakes (£5.95). The three cakes arrived with mango salsa, sour cream and guacamole – an unusual twist on a classic appetiser.

For mains I struggled to decide between oven roast pork fillet, honey glazed duck breast and pan fired fillet of bream.

I opted for the latter which was served with crushed Charlotte potatoes, butter poached baby spinach, mussel and garlic white wine cream (£14.95).

It was picture perfect, piled high on the white plate. It didn’t look that way for long though – I devoured it in a cocktail’s shake.

Meanwhile, my friend tucked into flame grilled rib steak with sea salt fries, rocket, tomato and parmesan salad (£16.95).

To his huge chunk of beef he added a Dijon mustard cream sauce (£1.50) and gave the thumbs up.

We tore ourselves away from the dessert menu and slinked off downstairs for cocktails.

Take a trip to Bar Wizards Lounge – it’s truly magical.

Bar Wizards Lounge, 34 Church Street, Littleborough, Rochdale, OL15 9AA (01706 374902, barwizards.net).

Reviewed by Rachel Esson in February 2010...

Bar Wizards Lounge
Littleborough
February 2010

Overall: 4/5

The country-pub laden landscape of north Manchester’s rural tourism hotspot Littleborough has been given a fresh injection of city-style bar life in the form of Bar Wizards Lounge.

If the name rings a bell that’s because it’s the very name that propelled bartenders Neil Garner and Neil Lowrey to the finals of TV show Britain’s Got Talent in 2007.

The globally recognised duo’s tandem flair shows have entertained at celebrity events from the Monaco Grand Prix to Simon Cowell’s 50th birthday party and the Girls Aloud tour.

The Manchester-born friends have returned after a decade of London living to launch Bar Wizards in November, but how do the talented two fare at running their own place?

There was no flamboyant flaring on CityLife’s Thursday night visit and a lack of certain stock limited our cocktail selection, but on every other front the bar impressed.

Housed in an old stone building, it’s an upmarket gastro bar that strikes a chord with a mature local crowd of casual drinkers downstairs, and fine diners in the upstairs restaurant. It looms above the main strip in the village, with an enviable, grassy outdoor spot. A smart interior is softened by relaxed service and good background tunes from the likes of The Mamas & The Papas and Barry White.

Disco Drinks, Gent’s Choice, Old’s Cool and Lovely Bubbly are some of the cocktail collections that divide the 35-strong list into an accessible menu for any occasion/gender/taste.

Bar Wizards Lounge, 34 Church Street, Littleborough, Lancashire, OL15 9AA, (01706 374902).