Cane and Grain

This new Northern Quarter bar and restaurant specialises in ribs, rum, beer and bourbon – a cracking combination in anyone’s books. The latest venture from Ross Mackenzie, the man behind Black Dog Ballrooms and Black Dog Bowl is based in the former home of the Thomas Restaurant. It’s a sprawling venue, spread over three floors. The ground floor bar boasts a wall covered in skateboard parts while another abounds with retro skate posters. A staircase covered in voodoo masks and more skateboard-styled light-fittings leads you the taxidermy-bedecked Liar’s Lounge where you can chow down on beef ribs smothered in sticky, smoky sauce. The bar serves potent Zombie cocktails, as well as brewing up beers and cordials in-house in their dedicated ‘bar laboratory.’ Their Dirty Daiquir blends Havana 7 year rum with lemon, maple syrup and earthy whisky, while the Bloomsbury Tale blends gin with rhubarb and clove cordial. The house punch, which changes regularly, is also worthy of your attention. This is a meat lover’s paradise with platters of ribs and other goodies with which to get your fingers dirty, alongside some seriously hearty sides