Corbieres

Reviews

• Natasha T.

  star star star star star_border 12 June 2026

  How delighted I was to stumble across this little basement by accident, strolling down Half Moon Street just because it had a nice name.  And there, opposite the fire escapes, and between the back doors and wheely bins...is Corbieres...a welcoming little rectangle of light luring you in and down its steps.  And I really do mean 'luring' - my beau and I had said just 5 minutes ago that we didn't fancy a beer, and yet we soon found ourselves at the bottom of those stairs investigating the various lagers on offer!
  
  There wasn't a great selection on tap, certainly no names that I recognised, and the barman didn't seem too enthused about what was on, but I got to try a new Czech lager that I was quite pleased with.  And there was a good selection of bottled goodies behind the bar as well.
  
  The room is rather small, but the atmosphere of the place is just great: exciting yet understated, the kind of place I could imagine both hipsters and die hard football fans could rub shoulders and neither would snigger at the other. That's my kind of place.
  
  The jukebox is wonderful. During our brief visit we were serenaded by a mixture of Happy Mondays, Stone Roses (we are in Manchester after all) and some other classic delights.  In fact, one of the quotes on the walls (see photo) claiming to be from Ian Brown himself, is that it "always was, still is, the best jukebox in Manchester." High praise indeed.
  
  To sum up, my beau and I both left already plotting our return, this time with friends in tow, to show off the cool bar that we found!

• Jessica H.

  star star star star_border star_border 11 June 2026

  Seeing that our favourite old haunt Sandinista was closed (either due to it being a Monday or perhaps their staff Christmas do, we weren't sure...) we took the few extra steps to this hidden doorway.
  
  It was pretty empty - this time definitely because it was a Monday! - leading to a lack of any discernible atmosphere but we were happy enough to grab a small table in the corner with a bottle of white. At about £15 with no obvious offers on, it wasn't overly expensive, but slightly over what I was personally expecting to pay. The music was great throughout due to the excellent jukebox, and no wonder, you can practically have your personalised playlist going if the other patrons aren't too bothered.
  
  We had already eaten but they have an interesting food selection, with some cheese & cured meats available on a deli platter or a selection of pies, mash & sides. Small, simple menus, which seem like a great option if you're out for a relaxing evening or afternoon.
  
  It's the decor here that always gets me. Is there really a need for disco lights and lots of metal lizards on the wall? The stucco-style wall covering pushes it slightly too into the 'British bar on holiday' for my liking so I doubt it will become a frequent haunt for me.
  
  It remains a bit of a secret so you're more than likely to get a table, so an option if you're weary and don't want to keep walking...

• Oonagh C.

  star star star star_border star_border 6 June 2026

  Finally made into here after about 5 near misses! It's a nice cosy underground bar with a famous jukebox and a Wizard of Oz themed pinball machine. Classic indie and alternative tunes. I had a half of San Miguel for £2 so not the cheapest but ok. I saw a food menu but was here for a late night drink so can't comment on that. From the sign they seem to do one cocktail a week, changing weekly. Usual draft and bottled drinks available. Plenty of tables.
  
  I liked the thick whitewashed walls with a pebble and gecko theme, quirky. I would come back again.

• Tim O.

  star star star star star_border 5 June 2026

  Corbiers is a belting sub level bar with a good range of beers and wine. Its atmosphere is particularly suited to Friday night after work drinks. The place feels like its seen some history and is renowned for having the best jukebox in town. Be warned it does get busy and can be extent extremely hot. I like to think that if Hobbits were from Manchester... they'd drink here and listen to Morrisey.

• Laura O.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  After leaving DnD, we headed to here as we frequent this place often. My hubby thinks this is one of the best little places in mcr, to me, its like a grotto with a juke box. Now that may sound like an insult, its not; its just a very small bar underground painted white. However, the drinks are good, the food (whilst not sampled at this time) looked good but it is the ambience and jukebox that makes this place a winner. Its a really friendly place, the locals don't look at you like you have 2 heads and its got enough seating/standing areas to cater to all. I had a rather lethal cranberry margarita - it certainly kept me warm on that cold evening whilst we walked between bars.
  
  Try this place, unless you are one of the 'Printworks' regulars, then don't bother - the music alone would drive you out as its a cool eclectic mix of tunes that would be way above your music taste. Sorry, for the snobbery but this place is too small for people who wouldn't 'get it'.