Over 80 wines, wine-oke, a wine jukebox, sharing boards and coffee
“We want to change the way people think about wine bars and make it a fun and approachable experience for all to enjoy,” says Provence wine bar founder, Anthony Ellis.
That’s the ethos the new wine bar is bringing to Spinningfields as it opens this week.
Myself and the team have always been big wine lovers but are yet to find a venue that simplifies the experience and doesn't take itself too seriously!
The bar, which will serve over 80 wines from regions across the world, will also open early for coffee and a revolving breakfast menu courtesy of Ancoats bakery Companio. By night, grazing boards will replace pastries and sandwiches.
A wine jukebox and "wine-oke" will also be on offer. Tempting?
Tasting the notes and hitting the notes
Provence, which opened this week, brings a “non-traditional approach to wine” with guests choosing their wine from a menu categorised by “wine moments” rather than the traditional categories of region or flavour profile. Whether you’re at after-work drinks or nipping out for date night, the categories group wines according to mood and life situation. Be it a weekday pick-me-up or something for winding down on a Sunday evening.
The space, which sits on Spinningfields’ main avenue alongside the likes of Thaikun and Comptoir Libanais, is split across two levels. Inside, 50 can be seated with a further 16 outside on the terrace. The space will be available for private bookings and aims to provide a relaxed space to quaff and politely scoff.
Wines on the October menu hail from all over the world. A Folc dry Rose from the UK sits alongside reds from Portugal, Italy and Chile with whites from Spain, Portugal and Italy. An Italian Fratelli Felix ticks the orange skin contact box, whilst the menu also includes Champagne and sparkling.
For those passing on wine, a concise cocktail menu includes an Aperol spritz, negroni and old fashioned, with craft beers courtesy of Cloudwater and Northern Monk. Seedlip, Punchy and Karma will also provide low and no options.
If all that wasn’t enough, Provence also offers bookable "wine-oke" (wine and karaoke, obvs) sessions that can be upgraded with entertainment, games and wine tastings complete with in-house wine aficionado.
The music theme continues with Provence’s “wine jukebox”. The machine, which sadly doesn’t dispense wine to the sound of UB40, gives guests the opportunity to sample a choice of eight rotating wines that would usually be sold by the bottle. The wine tech uses a top-up card system.
Breakfast and grazing platters
Thirsty work deserves a scran and Provence will be catering to Spinningfields daily hubbub from 8am. Serving coffee all day, a changing breakfast menu will feature sourdough toast with jam, porridge and Greek yoghurt pots and freshly baked pastries and cakes, as well as seasonal sandwiches from Ancoats favourites Companio. All will be available on an until-it’s-gone basis.
By evening, a curated selection of small plates, meaty charcuterie boards courtesy of locals Northern Cure, and cheese and veg seasonal sharing platters from Amato will all compliment the bar’s selection of wines. Monthly wine events are also in the offing.
Anthony Ellis, founder of Provence said:
“Myself and the team have always been big wine lovers but are yet to find a venue that simplifies the experience and doesn't take itself too seriously!”
“Our team are all super friendly, knowledgeable and welcome being asked loads of questions on our menu of fantastic wines. We can't wait to get the doors open!”
Provence, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester M3 3HF
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