We found our space, to do our thing…

Opened in 2018, with a budget and a vision - we slowly developed the space over time, with the same core values. Small team, selective on who we work and collaborate with, make as much as possible in house, and bring some modern and contemporary drinks to Manchester. We often joke this bar runs more like a kitchen - 80 hours of prep per week that goes into our menu, most of the hard labor goes on back of house to ensure smooth and efficient service front of house. We’re an incredibly driven group of people who take a lot of pride in our work, our space and our abilities.

Speak in Code means to Speak the Truth

A conversation that comes up in our bar quite a lot. Why the name?

“Gotta speak in codes to get in here?” – It ain’t like that.

“Great speakeasy this” – It ain’t like that either.

We don’t categorise ourselves as a prohibition bar, or with any sort of secrecy. No passcodes, no secrets, no fancy knocks…The fact we’re a little tucked away on a side street is just that we found a space that suited what we intended to be… A contemporary, technical and low key cocktail bar that prides itself on quality, great service, and connection to community and our industry.

We regularly open the door to pretty honest and open conversation on who we are, our values, our intentions and the why and how we do what we do. Simply put, we’re a small team of people who champion originality and love hip hop. The name Speak in Code came from ‘Speak the truth’ – a nod to cutting through the BS and let’s talk openly and honestly. We’re a humble little contemporary cocktail bar. And as you’ll see by our sign, it’s why we lean a little towards using SiC, our abbreviation over our full name these days.