Impossible Manchester: three bars, three completely different experiences

Tokyo Industry’s Theatre of Impossible hasn’t been in Manchester for all that long – since September of last year, to be precise – but it definitely has lots to offer anyone looking for a good time.

The witty exterior signage is testament to the spirit of the place – full of attitude and too busy reinventing Manchester’s somewhat stale legacy of immersive, performance-based entertainment to worry that much about what anyone else has going on. Split into three areas – the terrace, gin nest and theatre – offering three completely different experiences.

Impossible Bar and Terrace

Backing on to Great Northern Square, the huge south-facing terrace is a perfect spot both for casual dining and after-work drinks in the sunshine. Red Bull and Sipsmith will be operating pop-up bars on the terrace this summer to guarantee speedy drinks service for all. Head in for a spot of lunch and enjoy a selection of affordable gastro-style options from the kitchen or BBQ. Think fish and chips and steak frites, chicken wings and cheeseburgers, all priced between £5 and £9 each. Diners in the evening enjoy a larger menu selection with plenty of dinner options and an array of starters and desserts, such as tandoori tofu tikka masala skewers and Impossible’s deconstructed apple pie.

In the adjoining downstairs bar, weekly entertainment runs from 6pm to late Wednesday to Saturday, kicking off with chilled cover vibes at Wednesday’s Unplugged Acoustics night and building up through the week to full live entertainment on a Saturday night. Expect fun and theatrical performances from some top entertainers from tap-dancing twins performing a classy 1920’s act to Impossible’s cheeky chimps.

The Theatre of Impossible

Impossible isn’t exactly your typical nightclub. Open Saturday nights from 11pm till 4 am with a sensible dress code that appreciates that a good pair of trainers can cost more than a pair of smart shoes, rest safe in the knowledge that they’re not going to turn you away for flossing the latest Balenciaga or Air Max. True to its name, expect to catch a variety of weird and wonderful theatrical performances inside Casa Loca that gradually get raunchier as night creeps into morning.

The team source top talent from around the globe to perform in their venue, putting them up in their own apartment in Manchester city centre to facilitate this. On any given weekend, you can expect to see everything from contortionists and sword swallowers to trapeze artists and fire-eaters: offering up more than your average Manchester nightclub experience, that’s for sure. Billed as an immersive nightclub, Impossible offers direct table booking and packages for large groups. Guest list for the venue is available via direct enquiry and will cut your entry cost down from £10 OTD to £5 – well worth taking advantage of in the name of affording an extra G&T later into your evening.

The Gin Nest

Hidden upstairs is Impossible’s gin nest, an intimate space filled with plush booths, open to the public for drinking and dining from Thursday to Sunday every week.Up here, you’ll enjoy table service from their well-informed staff as you get stuck into the impressive gin collection: 97 gins plus 14 different tonic pairing options. Booking in advance is advised to avoid disappointment. In the mood for a cocktail? The bar menu lists a selection of classic gin tipples updated with Impossible’s own twist. Mouth-watering options include the super-Manc Vimto Bramble, the Bee Impossible and the thyme and grapefruit Negroni.

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