Primarily a champagne bar, Épernay serves up a touch of class. Somehow it has managed to remain one of Manchester’s best-kept secrets, with its altogether more subtle brand of promotion a far cry from the giddy hype that follows many other joints.
Nestled among the hustle and bustle of Deansgate, Épernay brings a bit of French elegance to the city centre, with dramatic full-length windows, stylish exposed brickwork and an art deco-inspired aesthetic.
Arguably its best feature is that champagne can be bought by the glass, which means you can have a fleeting taste of the good life without being forced to commit to it. Prices range from £6.50 to £12, with bottles between £39 and £200. Throw over a few more pennies for a splash of peach purée or cassis to complete a Bellini or Kir Royal.
Épernay also offers a variety of champagne cocktails, including a Champagne Punch described eloquently as being like ‘a boozy Um Bongo’. For those after something less fizzy there are plenty of mules, martinis and margaritas. Cocktails are seasonal and change every six months, but could include Candy Shop Sling, raspberry vodka, Vimto liqueur shaken and topped with lemonade and garnished with pick’n’mix sweeties.
Épernay's clincher, though, is the breathtaking outdoor terrace that lets you capitalise on sunny afternoons and starry evenings. Sip champagne, watch the world go by and feel utterly regal.