A new late-night cocktail destination, MDNT, has opened in Manchester bringing a hidden speakeasy-style experience to the city centre.
Located beneath Salt Dog Slims on Cross Street, MDNT is the latest concept from GSG Hospitality, the team behind venues including Salt Dog Slims and Bold Street Coffee, who operate a growing portfolio of hospitality venues across the North West.
Pronounced “Midnight”, MDNT takes its name from a disemvowelled version of the word – fitting for a bar that reveals itself only to those who know how to find it. Guests must first secure a booking by texting the venue to receive a secret entry code, which unlocks a nondescript door inside Salt Dog Slims. Beyond it, a private walkway leads guests into a completely different atmosphere.
The venue is designed to contrast sharply with its lively upstairs neighbour. Where Salt Dog Slims is known for its high-energy dive bar atmosphere, MDNT introduces a more sophisticated late-night cocktail environment, combining a modern bar, DJs and standing-room energy with opportunities to interact directly with bartenders.
The experience is intended to evolve as the night progresses. Early evenings will offer a more intimate bar atmosphere, with guests seated at the long bar to watch cocktails being prepared. As the night builds, DJs take over and the room shifts into a more energetic late-night setting, with space for guests to stand, socialise and dance.
“We really wanted to focus on the guest’s journey,” says John Ennis, Founder of GSG Hospitality. “If you’ve ever been to Salt Dog Slims on a weekend it’s packed and people are having a great time, so the contrast of walking through a coded door, along a private walkway and into a completely different environment is immediate. That moment of surprise and the mystique around the entrance is a big part of what MDNT is about.”
MDNT is open Thursday through Sunday, positioning itself as a destination for the later end of the week, with guests able to stay late into the night.
The drinks focus on both classics and original cocktails, with around 24 drinks on the menu split between reimagined classics and new creations. The approach centres on taking familiar cocktails and refining them – elevating well-loved drinks while keeping them approachable and fun.
Among the signature serves is the Double Parked Porn Star, a playful twist on the classic Pornstar Martini served with a miniature bottle of Champagne, alongside a fresh Garibaldi made with freshly juiced orange and Campari. Other cocktails include the Nitro Negroni, Faz Mangoes, Oaxacan Nightcrawler and Jimmy Gimlet.
“With the drinks we’re taking them seriously so the guests don’t have to,” adds Ennis. “We want people to walk in, see something on the bar that makes them say ‘I want one of those’ and just enjoy the night as the energy builds.”
With a focus on atmosphere, strong drinks and a sense of discovery, MDNT aims to create a venue where guests arrive for one drink and end up staying for the whole night.
MDNT opened Thursday 26th March beneath Salt Dog Slims, Cross Street, Manchester.