Eat and Drink Here: Motley, Manchester

A sublime space I’m frequently knocking around at lately is Motley, Manchester. This cool establishment is an uncomplicated hybrid of casual eating, lunch-until-late cocktail supping, and social thriving. I’m obsessed.

Situated in prime position on Deansgate as part of Yotel Manchester, Motley offers everything from seasonal dishes to local brewed beer, stay-all-day work stations, and a sun trap of an outdoor terrace. Imagine it now: you, sun-kissed skin, balmy post-office evenings, and a Coco Pops Espresso Martini. Heaven, right?

At Motley I’ve sampled the good food, the better drinks, and the quirky decor that has me coming back for more. Think bright neon slogans, vibrant hues, soft velvet furnishings, and foliage walls. Motley is a maximalists playground.

Right now, Motley‘s sprawling food menu features a smorgasbord of cuisines, all made with locally-sourced ingredients. If sharing small plates are your vibe, why not opt for dishes like the zingy Korean Fried Cauliflower, classic Fish Tacos, or Chicken Satay with creamy peanut sauce?

If you don’t like sharing, then larger portions come in the way of vegan Roasted Squash Risotto, the melt-in-mouth Confit Pork Belly, and the innovative Motley Cornflake Fried Chicken Burger.

If there’s still room after mains, and sides such as Hand Cut Chips and Charred Tenderstem Broccoli, then maybe Motley’s Biscoff Profiterole or chunky Churros with chocolate sauce will leave you satisfied?

If you’re strictly consuming a liquid lunch, then Motley’s huge drinks list will impress. There’s everything from a Raspberry & Elderflower spritz to Pink Pornstar Martinis, temperance cocktails like the French No-Tini, and locally-produced beer from heroes Shindigger and Seven Bro7hers.

If wine is your tipple of choice then Motley’s list has been hand-picked by Stockport wine merchant, Paul Boutinot. From bottles of delightfully light Picpoul de Pinet to low-intervention French reds, there’s something to peak the interest of everyone from entry-level wine explorers to veteran sommeliers.

So, pull up a pew and bask in the good vibes that Motley offers. A place to work and play all day, Motley is a diamond in the Manchester food and drink scene. Make mine a salty margarita. I’ll see you in an hour.