The Eat, Drink, Sleep Awards give you a pretty good idea of who’s hot and who’s not when it comes to the hospitality industry. The ceremony is held every two years with a shortlist drawn up from open nominations. It’s then put to a public vote over a two week period to decide the winners.
The great and slightly tipsy of the industry headed along to last night’s red carpet event at Manchester’s Piccadilly Mercure Hotel where The Liquor Store, The Bierkeller and George’s Worsley were amongst the winners.
The Liquor Store co-founder Brett Collier said: “It’s great to win this award. We really pride ourselves on hosting a great late night party and this is recognition we are still hosting the best late night party in town, so make sure you come down.”
The Liquor Store has Mancunian roots through and through. It opened its doors in November 2012 on the corner of Blackfriars Street and has been going from strength to strength ever since. A second bar opened on First Street last year.
Bare brickwork, vintage signage and a bar chock full of expertly crafted concoctions from around the globe are just some of the features that the Liquor Store boasts. The bar plays all of your favourite jangles and whilst there’s no strict dress code, dressing to the nines for a late night shindig is definitely encouraged.
Co-owner Doug Waldron said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. Our Deansgate bar is a late night venue open until 3am every night for party and industry people alike. So thank you to everyone who voted for us. See you at the bar!”
Having won the Chairman’s Choice Award for Best Bar at the last Drinkies two years ago and now this, we have a sneaky feeling this won’t be the last time The Liquor Store brings home a trophy.
The man behind the awards is Paul Kilroe, who wanted to celebrate the achievements of the hospitality industry. He said: “People used to come to Manchester for Coronation Street or Old Trafford. Now they come for our restaurants.”
Other winners include:
Chairman’s Choice – Best Premium Casual Restaurant Central Manchester Fazenda, Spinningfields
Best Premium Restaurant North Manchester Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom
Chairman’s Choice – Best Premium Restaurant North Manchester George’s Worsley
Best Premium Restaurant South Manchester Victor’s, Hale
Best Premium Restaurant Central Manchester Australasia, Spinningfields
Chairman’s Choice – Best Premium Restaurant Central Manchester Rosso
Best Late Night Venue Central Manchester The Liars Club
Chairman’s Choice – Best Late Night Venue Central Manchester The Liquor Store
Best Corporate Hospitality Venue Central Manchester Etihad Stadium, Manchester City
Best Multi Bar Venue Central Manchester The Bierkeller, Printworks
Best NQ Venue Central Manchester The Whiskey Jar
Best Wine/Champagne Bar Central Manchester Epernay
Best Bar Central Manchester Albert’s Schloss
Chairman’s Choice – Best Bar Central Manchester El Capo, Northern Quarter