The Alchemist MediaCityUK
Quick info
About The Alchemist MediaCityUK
On The Bund in Salford, The Alchemist MediaCityUK is a restaurant and cocktail bar with a menu spanning around 180 dishes and drinks. Cocktails arrive with theatrical touches, from a smoked serve to a flask poured tableside, alongside starters like the COSMIC 'OYSTER', SHARING DOUGHBALLS and PORK CRACKLING. Gluten free options are available across the menu. Table service runs throughout, with staff taking orders and offering recommendations, though service can slow during busier periods or with larger groups. Seating is split between a dimly lit indoor room and outdoor tables, which are sometimes fully booked. A step-free, wheelchair-accessible entrance serves visitors with mobility needs. The bar opens daily and reservations are recommended. It sits by the canal with views across the water, making it a stop before performances at the nearby theatre.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking · Plenty of parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Menu & Prices
180 dishes · mains £3–250- COSMIC 'OYSTER'£5.50
- APERITIVO 'OYSTER'£5.50
- SHARING DOUGHBALLS£8.00
- PORK CRACKLING£5.00
- FRICKLES£5.00
- GREEN OLIVES£4.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention theatrical cocktail presentation, smoked old fashioned, chocolate cookie s'moores and views across the canal.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention theatrical cocktail presentation, smoked old fashioned, chocolate cookie s'moores and views across the canal.
Customer Review Summary
Cocktails draw the most attention, with the theatrical presentation, the souvenir Hipflask Sloe-Jam flask, the Citrus Got Real, the Mai Tai, and the 241 cocktail all singled out for praise, though one reviewer found the smoked Old Fashioned overly sweet and unrecognizable as a classic, a complaint the staff resolved by replacing the drink without fuss. Close behind, small plates and sharers get consistent mentions, the Alchemy sharer, doughballs and olives, the bbq chicken smoke board, and desserts like the Chocolate Cookie S'Moores and churros, though one diner called the Chicken Katsu Curry merely decent and another described the bang bang salad as overpriced with a sickly sweet sauce and too little tofu. Service is repeatedly praised as knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, with staff helping with gluten-free choices and dietary requirements, though a couple of reviewers note slow ordering during busy periods, one waiting twenty minutes for a server. Several highlight the canal-side views and atmosphere near the Lowry, and one reviewer recalls staff finding extra space at the bar so their group could keep socializing after their table time ended.
Customer Review Summary
Cocktails draw the most attention, with the theatrical presentation, the souvenir Hipflask Sloe-Jam flask, the Citrus Got Real, the Mai Tai, and the 241 cocktail all singled out for praise, though one reviewer found the smoked Old Fashioned overly sweet and unrecognizable as a classic, a complaint the staff resolved by replacing the drink without fuss. Close behind, small plates and sharers get consistent mentions, the Alchemy sharer, doughballs and olives, the bbq chicken smoke board, and desserts like the Chocolate Cookie S'Moores and churros, though one diner called the Chicken Katsu Curry merely decent and another described the bang bang salad as overpriced with a sickly sweet sauce and too little tofu. Service is repeatedly praised as knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, with staff helping with gluten-free choices and dietary requirements, though a couple of reviewers note slow ordering during busy periods, one waiting twenty minutes for a server. Several highlight the canal-side views and atmosphere near the Lowry, and one reviewer recalls staff finding extra space at the bar so their group could keep socializing after their table time ended.
Featured reviews
- Lydia Failey
“got some drinks they were all very nice!! We didn’t get any food but it smelt amazing.”
- D Price
“Post theatre meal. Arrived early and only waited a few minutes. Service attentive, and quick. We only had fish and chips but wished we'd had something else by looking at other people's lovely looking food. Next time. We will go back. Nice and busy.”
- Gareth McCoy
“We popped in after the theatre for a quick drink and ordered the smoked Old Fashioned. Unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing. It was overwhelmingly sweet and bore little resemblance to a traditional Old Fashioned. We politely mentioned this to the staff, who kindly replaced our drinks without any fuss, and we really appreciated that level of service. That said, I would strongly recommend either changing the recipe or renaming the cocktail, as anyone expecting a classic Old Fashioned is likely to be very disappointed.”
- viv d
“Food was excellent and couldnt fault it. We had the sharing plate and the olives as an extra were really nice. However sadly it took 20 minutes after being guided to our table for someone to take an order. The staff were incredibly busy and really lovely maybe the staffing numbers need to be reviewed to help get service moving.”
- Laura Jakobsons
“We had the globe which I think should produce more smoke but taste was lovely the bourbon which my partner said he loved the smokey flavour and the cosmic conch with the blue light and foam was brilliant”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Serves dine-in
- Serves alcohol
Show more amenities
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves late-night food
- Dining options· 7
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 3
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Plenty of parking
- Highlights· 6
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Crowd· 4
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Planning· 2
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Offerings· 4
- Serves cocktails
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Restaurants near The Alchemist MediaCityUK
- Harvester Quayside Mediacityuk4.53,5180.1 mi£10–20Good for kidsReservations
salad bar, ribs, chicken waffle bacon stack
- 0.8 mi
hot chicken wings, friendly staff, poke bowls
- 1.5 mi£10–20
egg and chicken rice, omlet fried chicken rice, beef rice with pepper sauce
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Alchemist MediaCityUKReservations | 4.52,875 | — | £20–60 | theatrical cocktail presentation, smoked old fashioned, chocolate cookie s'moores |
| Harvester Quayside MediacityukGood for kids · Reservations | 4.53,518 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | salad bar, ribs, chicken waffle bacon stack |
| Nando's Manchester - White City | 4.2811 | 0.8 mi | — | hot chicken wings, friendly staff, poke bowls |
| Two Plus Two Restaurant | 4.669 | 1.5 mi | £10–20 | egg and chicken rice, omlet fried chicken rice, beef rice with pepper sauce |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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