The Patron takes tequila and mezcal seriously in a city that mostly still thinks of tequila as something you slam with salt and lime at 1am. Sitting on Brazennose Street, it’s a Mexican-inspired cocktail bar that puts agave spirits front and centre without being stuffy about it. The margaritas here are excellent — properly balanced, fresh citrus, none of the neon-green premix that passes for a margarita in half the bars in town.
The mezcal selection is where things get interesting. If you’ve never explored mezcal beyond the smoky stereotype, the bartenders here will sort you out. They stock a range that covers everything from light and fruity to full-on campfire, and they’re happy to pour tasters and talk you through it. It’s educational without feeling like a lecture.
Beyond agave, the cocktail menu runs through various Mexican and Latin American influences — palomas, micheladas, and house creations that use chilli, tamarind, and hibiscus in ways that actually work. The food menu backs it up with tacos, nachos, and sharing plates that pair well with the drinks.
The atmosphere is lively without being chaotic. Bright colours, Day of the Dead artwork, music that sets the right tone. It fills up on weekends and the energy is good — people come here to have fun rather than pose. A solid addition to the Brazennose Street stretch and a genuine tequila bar that Manchester was missing.