Rapha Cycle Club

Well where has this little gem been hiding? I have nothing more than a passing interest in cycling but my partner is catching the bug which is why I was introduced to this place.
I’m aware of the Rapha cycling apparel brand and how premium it is. However I didn’t realise just how premium their retail environments were. This is essentially a shop/​workshop/​café in one.
We popped in for some coffee whilst watching Tour de Yorkshire on one of their screens. We were also able to take in some of the classic cycling literature pieces or magazines. And the backdrop is plenty of exciting cycling memorabilia from decades gone by. The coffee shop had a few people in but it was generally quiet and therefore much, much more pleasant than your average high street café. And the prices were more than reasonable at a couple of quid per drink.
And of course, then there is the shop. The apparel is stunning for cycling gear. You can tell it is French designed. And some of the leisure gear is Hugo boss-​esque.
Even if you’re not into cycling, try this place. It is special. And one of only about 10 Rapha Cycling Clubs in the world. Manchester is privileged to have one.

I don’t often give a place 5 stars.
I signed up for a women’s only rapha ride leaving from the store in st Ann’s square.
Meet was at 10 and I arrived early. A very friendly bloke greeted me at the door and took my bike to their immaculate locker room where all the bikes are kept — it’s also the shop window!!!
Up 2 floors to the shop and café.
The café is fantastic — live streaming whatever cycling event is on at the time, beautiful décor and a fantastic menu.
Pre and post ride menus, coffees and cakes… Magazines to read — a basket of them attached to each table — bike related of course.
The store is immaculate.
The bathroom looks like it should be in a restaurant in spinning fields.
He rider self was well led with stunning scenery. With or without a ride id happily hang out here any weekend morning or afternoon.

Different, really different and thats a good thing when it comes to new coffee shops in Manchester! To be fair though, it wouldn’t be right just label it as a coffee shop as Rapha is a very high class brand of sports wear, more so cycle wear.
Saying that they do a bloody good Flat White and also have a brilliant selection of fruity teas — I had the red berry tea which was great!
I don’t know if I’d trump up the cash to buy some of their clothes as it is quite pricey, however definitely worth a visit to check out a more unique option for your afternoon coffee. They do have some sort of studio upstairs that I’m guessing would be used for some sort of fitness class.
A lot of development popping up in Manchester and this is a telling sign of the businesses that are being attracted to set up shop in our lovely home!

The server in here averted his face and crab shuffled away from me as I approached the counter, was was disconcerting, but once we got hold of him we were served a nice chocolate brownie and Coke (in glass bottle). It’s definitely a fun place to come if you’re into cycling, you can watch it on TV and gaze at the very fancy equipment all around. There’s an exhibition space upstairs. A great addition to the improving selection of cafes in this part of town.

Thanks to Unilocaler Huttson L, I decided to visit this place and I could not like this place more.
I heard about this place back in October when a friend of mine who is also cycling a lot came to visit this place all the way from Sheffield. I have always considered this place as a paradise or club for cyclists. As a reputational performance wear brand, Rapha has about 10 years history and includes a branch in Manchester opened in September this year (lucky us), HQ in London and three stores in the states, two stores in Japan and one in Sydney.
The Manchester branch is located in St. Ann Square, which has a small coffee shop downstairs with a few seats and a much more spacious café on the first floor. I didn’t visit the second floor, which was said to have an exhibition space. This review was purely based on my visit on the first floor café area. (Rapha roadies are on first floor as well)
I came in on a Saturday for lunch before heading to an event in the gallery. This place has a chic and modern look which is very much different from the rustic and hipster style most Manchester indie coffee houses have. It’s super bright with plenty of daylights and beautiful décor all the way.
I ordered a flat white and a bresaola sandwich with red onion and dijon mustard. The coffee was brought to me fairly quickly. The sandwich was served in nice hot plate with fresh and healthy salad on side, which was with a splash of balsamic sauce on top.
I was pleased to find the coffee was aromatic and hot, which I don’t usually find in the coffee houses in UK. I understand there are safety issues with the hot drinks and probably most hot drinks would be between 68 degree C and 88 degree C (I think I read it somewhere). Somehow some warm coffee just made me really annoyed. The sandwich was really decent for a £4.50 and it was in the post ride range. It was a little bread heavy for me. The filling uses the good quality bresaola ham and red onion with the spicy mustard. The dijon mustard was quite spicy but it kept my appetite going. Apparently they provide the pre-​ride range, which includes porridge, cereals, and pasties, and post-​ride range with carbohydrate rich sandwiches available.
I really fell for this place and I think you will find it’s hard not to like here.

Multi– channel cycling specialist brings something different to Manchester
You don’t have to be a cyclist to come in here, but it sure helps. All the shiny kit, in subtle colours for both men and women as well as high-​vis fluoros, and the overwhelming theme of cycling — time trials, tours, road races — makes this very much a cyclist’s paradise.
But it’s more a lifestyle venue than a cycle shop, especially given that they don’t sell any bikes at all. The name tells it all: it’s a cycle club, where you can join in with all kinds of training groups on distance rides on weekdays and weekends.
Then there’s coffee, tea, sandwiches and desserts, all in two spare, modern rooms on the ground and first floor, and a gallery on the top floor. No wifi yet but it’s on its way. I was all coffee’d out on the day I went, so I went for a peppermint tea from the Brew Tea Co, which was tasty and long-​lasting.
Early days, so the service I had was very good, trying to build a clientele. If it’s anything like the London branch, it’ll be a destination before long.