The Washhouse

Japanese brewery, Sapporo launched its new Premium Beer recently at The Washhouse, a hidden gem for all Mancunian cocktail lovers. 

We arrive at the tongue-in-cheek kitsch of its fake laundrette shop front and, one phone call later, are ushered in through a secret door. Upstairs, the dark labyrinthine space is packed to the rafters with happy revellers – quite the surprise for 6.30 pm on a Tuesday night.  

On draught, tonight’s titular beer is clean, crisp and refreshing. Perfect for relaxing after a busy day at work, and delivered with a smile. They’re also serving Japanese-inspired cocktails such as the spicy ginger-beer-flavoured Shouga, which comes with a snazzy stripe of togarashi down the side of the glass.

Gin lovers can try a signature Japanese flavour in the Shiso Shiso cocktail, infused with the sweet Japanese herb, shiso. Sakura is the most eye-catching, tinged pink with cherry blossom syrup and tasting of Supasawa. 

Anyone who steps through The Washhouse’s faux coat rack is rewarded, not with a visit to Narnia but a fascinating art workshop in a hidden room. After unveiling a piece of art created especially for the occasion, Daren Newman teaches guests the art of Suminagashi (墨 流 し)  or  “floating ink”, while the bar is filled with music courtesy of DJ and producer Kiina. 

Naturally, there’s sushi. It doesn’t disappoint: each guest happily receives a beautifully presented selection from Oxford Road sushi masters, One Sushi. There are edamame beans, salmon and cucumber maki rolls, katsu prawn california rolls, sesame-scattered wakame salad and every meat-eaters favourite – crispy deep-fried chicken gyoza.

For the more adventurous, perfectly formed nigiri topped with thick slices of salmon, smoked eel, deep red tuna and lightly seared steak – an ideal match for an ice-cold pint. 

The Washhouse has been a favourite of those in the know for many years now, and thanks to this team-up with Sapporo, they’ve created a great example of East meets West. Sure, those hidden doors and secretive phone calls might not be necessary, but they certainly add a little frisson and that’s never a bad thing.