No.8 Dukes
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
This plush, independent cocktail bar is a short hop off the beaten path, but well worth the effort for a night out. Proudly touting its Instagrammable interiors — all post-industrial exposed brick and neon slogans — No. 8 Dukes provides Macclesfield’s cocktail connoisseurs with a classy menu concocted from premium ingredients.
No. 8 Dukes provides Macclesfield’s cocktail connoisseurs with a classy menu concocted from premium ingredients.
In addition to its smartly outfitted interior, the bar boasts ample outdoor space for you to enjoy on those days the sun decides to show its face. There’s also stomach lining bar food in the form of rustic pizzas, juicy burgers and the like. Look out for the late night DJs too — stay late enough and you might find yourself on the dance floor.
Let’s face it though, first things first, you want to see the drinks menu. The listings start with an extensive gin and tonic menu which pairs off-beat botanicals with a range of complementary tonics and garnishes — including locally produced Forest Gin, which comes with a refreshing Fever Tree Tonic, grapefruit and fresh rosemary.
From there, No. 8 Dukes’ trained mixologists come into their own, with a selection of some twenty-plus cocktails that range from real, tried and tested old world classics such as the Old Fashioned or Singapore Sling, to more modern favourites such as the Pornstar or Espresso Martinis.
a selection of some twenty-plus cocktails that range from real, tried and tested old world classics to more modern favourites
In the unlikely event that the Dukes catalogue doesn’t list your favourite mix, then feel free to ask the bar staff to make you something off menu — they welcome the challenge. Not a cocktail person? Fear not, the bar is also equipped with a range of craft beer as well as all of the usual wines, fizz, soft drinks and beverages for you to enjoy.
