The bar in the centre of the Corn Exchange has always been a favourite spot of mine. It is light, airy and bright whilst being indoors so no chance of being rained on by the unpredictable Manchester weather. Doner Haus have now taken over and opened Garten Bar, so I popped in to see what it was like.
Garten Bar has been smartened up with a bold ‘Berlin style’ sign and a range of soft furnishings to choose from. You can sit at the bar (still a massive bonus post covid!) or on the stylish velour stools. I love the tan leather seats too, so comfy and great if there is a group who want to sit together.
The cocktails have German theme names and are buy one get one free, all day every day. If that isn’t reason enough to visit, I don’t know what is!
The Bauhaus 1919 with Tanqueray Gin, rhubarb and apple is fresh yet not overly sweet thanks to the rhubarb. I also enjoyed the Wonderbar with Pompero Rum, watermelon, mint, lime and lemon. A touch of sweetness but lots of fresh flavours from the citrus fruit and mint.
Never one to stop after a drink, we headed into Doner Haus for food. I enjoyed my last visit but it was their first week of opening and I thought there were some improvements that could be made.
Doner Haus don’t have a traditional ‘starters, mains and desserts’ style menu, so we chose the Mezze Platter to share instead of a starter. This is a main for 1 normally but the staff were unphased and happily accommodated my annoying request. I was so glad they did! Falafel, halloumi, tzatziki, humous, tabbouleh, kohbez durum, olives and pickles is such a lovely smorgasbord of deliciousness. The tabbouleh was a particular delight for it’s freshness.
I chose a kebap for my main with the Mustafa. A soft pida is piled high with chicken shawarma, mixed salad, herbs and feta with chilli and garlic sauces. The menu included roasted vegetables but these were unfortunately missing from my pida. It was still delicious and the addition of feta really does give it the edge.
I also ordered a side of Kreuzberg Fries, which I didn’t have room for at all but they really are one of my favourites. Hot and crispy French fries, topped with doner before being topped in chilli sauce. The flavour of the Doner Haus chilli sauce is so good, not too hot and a touch sweet to make it seriously moreish, despite the lack of tummy room.
Charlie was swayed by the sausages and chose the Frankfurter Platter, complete with a footlong frankfurter sausage, Berlin doner, fries, salad, sauerkraut, dipping sauces and a durum flatbread to mop it all up with. Drizzled with curry ketchup, it really is like being back in Berlin and the platter is one of the best value items on the menu in my opinion.
A few more cocktails and we were full to the brim with delicious food and super tasty drinks. The service was spot on and everything tasted great. I can’t wait to head back for more memories of Berlin and, you can’t sniff at 2 for 1 drinks when they are this good. I’ll see you at the bar.
