Newly opened in October 2021, Manahatta is a new bar in Birmingham located on Temple Street in the heart of the city among other popular cocktail bars. However, what sets Birmingham’s new answer to a pit stop on a cocktail tour apart from the rest?
The bar’s happy hour offerings are sure to make Manahatta a crowd pleaser and student favorite
As the name of the establishment suggests, the bar is inspired by Manhattan in New York. Therefore, from the scenery, you might forget you’re in Birmingham, and actually imagine you’re actually in New York. There are plenty of Instagrammable spots under New York’s neon signs and artwork. The large open space offers tall bar stools and comfy sofas for drinkers, with booth-like seating for diners, as the bar also offers an American-inspired menu. Expect to find stuffed burgers, hot dogs and pretzels, as well as vegan alternatives to their signature dishes.
The bar’s happy hour offerings are sure to make Manahatta a crowd-pleaser and student favorite: Sunday through Thursday, cocktails are 2-4-1 all day. There is a wide selection of cocktails available, including classics like a Pornstar Martini, and other exciting concoctions unique to Manahatta. If you’re struggling to decide, the bar staff were very helpful in providing recommendations. Our bartender explained to us that when the staff was hired in October, the company allowed them to try the food and cocktails on a training day so they could offer fair recommendations to customers.
This exciting new place in town has a lot to offer
We opted for a Rum & Plum (photo on the left of the menu) and an Electric Avenue (photo on the right of the menu). We were able to customize our drinks to some degree as we were able to replace the soda at Electric Avenue with lemonade as the cocktails are all hand made. The drinks were well presented with their individual garnishes. If you like spiced rum, I highly recommend the Rum and Plum, as the warm spiciness of the rum pairs well with the fruity plum, giving it an overall autumn flavor. Personally, I found the Electric Avenue too sweet and the bright blue Slush Puppie-like color slightly off-putting, but my friend with a sweet tooth really enjoyed it.
The only thing the bar lacked was an atmosphere, although we visited on a Sunday evening so the bar had a more relaxed vibe which ensured it was easy to get a drink. We were assured that Friday and Saturday nights were busier, and often remained so until the wee hours of the next morning.
This exciting new spot in town has a lot to offer as a place to stop for a drink or for a casual sit-down meal. I will definitely come back to try more cocktails!
Want to discover more places to eat and drink in Birmingham? Enjoy these tasty reviews:
Review: Cod scallops
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Review: Aluna
