Class reviewer for the North, Dave Marsland, stops by Maya in Manchester.
Maya, a venue of two main floors offering differing aesthetics, opened to much fanfare. The ground floor cocktail bar and bistro brings a relaxed yet minimalistic vibe, with exposed arches and brickwork retaining the feel of the industrial waterways alongside pink and blue flashes of upholstery.
Staffed by an attentive team, the bistro offers serves such as Watermelon & Rose Martini that sees their own in-house rum blend shaken with strawberry shrub, watermelon, rose, mint, citrus and egg whites.
Head downstairs to the Dining Room and you enter a Maya with a more classical approach. Here drinks include Fig/Flora, a blend of JJ Corry whiskey, Muyu Chinotto, Xante and lavender bitters.
The stunning island bar, with its comfy bar seating and elegant velvet which looks plush against the soft lighting, feels a completely different bar to upstairs. With friends? I’d aim for the ground floor. Industry? Downstairs it is.
SCORE: 7/10
40 Chorlton St, Manchester M1 3HW