Apotheca

Apotheca is a welcome addition to what was once a slightly seedy street. Now it proliferates with stylish bars of which this is a prime example. This buzzing Northern Quarter venue is a sibling to neighboring restaurant Dough and, as the name suggests, it has been designed with an apothecary theme in mind. What this means in practice is an array of bottle-filled, glass-fronted antique pharmacy cabinets. To be honest there are other bars that carry this kind of device of with more panache, but Apotheca has a large measure of charm – plus a cocktail list put together with a greater than expected degree of care. Unusual’potions’ and’tinctures’ include the El Diablo, a wicked concoction of tequila, cassis, lime and ginger, and the Twinkle, a highly drinkable mix of elderflower, vodka and prosecco. A condensed version of Dough’s menu is available should hunger strike.