Deep within City lines, you could walk right past this old listed bank and never notice the bar inside. Hope you packed your passport as they've gone old school colonial in here and trust us, it feels like another world. Think crates of spices, cages of exotic creatures and plants everywhere. Even the chandeliers look like palm trees.

From the peeps at The Botanist and The Oast House in Manchester, the drinks are top notch. Embrace days of the British empire and sip a perfect serve G&T; with over 15 gins you won't get bored. Want shaken & stirred? The cocktail list is big, and they've sexed up familiar flavours with nods to the spice trade. When BarChick rocked along we went exotic with the sake-laced Memoirs of a Geisha. 

Peel yourself away from their massive center bar (NB. this is probably where you'll pull), grab a table under the watchful eyes of a giant white peacock and grab some bites; fresh pork scratchings, scotch eggs and baked camembert will keep you going all night long. The crowd is a little suite-y, but there are smiles all around with live music and a tipsy singalong or two. Like people watching? Pop up the spiral staircase to the mezzanine and get your hawk eyes out.