Howzat? Sixes Cricket Bar opens in the Corn Exchange

Sixes Cricket Bar Corn Exchange Header 2

Sophie Rahnema 25 August 2021

The pair behind London's Mac & Wild bring their cricket concept to Manchester

Boy, do we love a bar/experience in Manchester. If we’re not golfing about at Junkyard, we’re hitting home runs at Base or dodging stray darts at Flight Club. You might remember when we were invited to experience prison with absolutely no backlash whatsoever.

Coronation bubble and squeak pakoras with mango chutney feature on the small plates menu

With quick cricket tournament The Hundred recently drawing in a record number of younger viewers and the opening game reaching well over 1.2 million telly watches, it only makes sense that we add cricket to the mix before the hype is diverted elsewhere.

Sixes Cricket Batting Simulator — **Is it, is it wicket?**

If you caught Manchester Originals during The Hundred and fancy your chances against some of those pro bowlers, you’ll be pleased to hear that Sixes Cricket Bar opens its doors on 29 August in the former Alston Bar & Beef site in the Corn Exchange.

Release your inner Imran Khan

Taking the format of the activity bar and really running with it, Sixes combines eating, drinking and sporting prowess to bring Manchester another venue perfect for either impressing your mates or embarrassing yourself before getting down to the business of socialising.

Cricket simulator batting nets are available to book in half-hour slots - a reasonable amount of time to spend whacking plastic balls at a wall before you call it a day and head for the bar.

Sixes Food And Drink — **Leg before brisket - it's a meaty menu at Sixes**

Sixes comes to Manchester as the third location for the brand and the first north of London. Co-owned by Andy Waugh and Calum MacKinnon, the duo behind London-based restaurant and butcher Mac & Wild. Their belief in using wild game, specifically venison, echoes that of Mike Robinson at the Forge in Chester whom we spoke to earlier this month.

Cooking over ashes is a big part of the menu at Sixes

While you won't find any of Mac & Wild's venison dishes the menu at Sixes it is an interesting mix of British gastro-style pub food with culinary influences from the cricketing nations woven through.

Coronation bubble and squeak pakoras with mango chutney feature on the small plates menu, with the equally gastronomic-sounding “From The Ashes” sweet potato served alongside smoked almond ricotta and toasted hazelnuts.

As for mains, burgers and barbecue make up the majority of the offering, and you can even add bone marrow flatbread to a whiskey-glazed short rib - the thought of which has us all googly-eyed.

Sixes Cricket Drinks — **After watchfully negotiating their first 14 overs, it was time for tea**

If you’ve read this far, we’ll assume you’re already a fan of the ol’ leather on willow, so let’s get down to the boozy deets. No trip to the cricket is complete without a beer in hand or a bottle in the cooler.

Sixes delivers with fancy Veuve served by the glass (or a bottle for £80), beers, ales and classic cocktails. But it’s the self-appointed “experimental” cocktails that have us interested. We’re pondering over the Pickled Ploughman - pickled Tanqueray 10, sherry vinegar, cheese and crackers. Who knew that you could pickle gin? Worth a try we reckon, if even the drinks come with snacks.

Sixes Cricket Club opens 29 August in The Corn Exchange.