Tusk

I live less than 5 minutes from Tusk, which you think would make it a regular haunt. But actually I hardly come here. Whenever I do, I really enjoy it and think I shouldn’t leave it so long until the next visit.
My latest visit was on Saturday, when I met friends prior to heading over to Dough for a meal. There were 9 of us and to be honest, a bit cramped as Tusk is quite small. However, we are a laid back bunch so didn’t mind being a little split. It’s the first time I have been on a weekend and is certainly much busier than in the week.
A few people had never been here before and were impressed by the cocktails. I have been but this time tried a different cocktail than my usual choice (Ebony and Ivory, which is v good). After much deliberation, I went for a Zulu Dawn and it was good.
One thing I noticed this time was that you can walk through from Tusk to Walrus next door. I’m not sure if this is new, or if, as usual, I have had my eyes closed on previous visits. Either way, it is handy to know.
Tusk is perhaps a little on the pricey side — more Deansgate prices than NQ but they are good cocktails. Definitely worth a visit though I would suggest weekday evenings than weekends.

Small café by day, music and dancing venue by night! Visited on a Friday for some post work merriment.
Opens into Walrus later on a Friday night so that you can wander between the 2 venues (they have a magic wall between the 2!) Eclectic mix of music being played so you are sure to get your boogie on to the tunes they play. Gets pretty busy so be prepared to
Drinks menu is cocktail based but they do wines, beers and flavoured ciders.

My friend and I stopped here for Mai Tis on Bank Holiday Monday, it being one of the 2 cocktails for a tenner. We weren’t disappointed. The bar man’s spiel won us over and they were certainly properly alcoholic. hey even came with a curl of fresh orange peel for extra aromatics and no annoying umberellas! There was an interesting bit of people watching through the window (there aren’t enough tables in the sun) and my friend could wander into Walrus to get the wasabi nuts she’s addicted to!

Another top visit to Tusk.
The interior has changed quite dramatically since we last visited — there is now bench seating lining much of the wall, meaning an increased number of bodies can sit and enjoy their offerings. This seating, much to my enjoyment, is leather with leopard print fur backing — the décor here is fun, without a bare brick in sight. Music is loud and jazz based, giving you a different kind of atmosphere when compared to everywhere else!
The food offerings have been extended to include meat and vegetarian sharing platters, halloumi skewers with pea and mint bons bons (how amazing does that sound?) and a variety of other nibbly bits. The choices are still small, but remain really well done — I had a good nosey and the table next door!
We were only in for cocktails, both of which we thoroughly enjoyed. Mine was apricot and peach based, so ridiculously easy to drink, and the boyf went for a black-​pepper infused gin concoction, served with pineapple and blackberry. Not so easy to drink, but it gave a great kick, and was nice to see something a little bit different on a menu.
Happy hour meant our drinks were 2 for £10, when they were priced at £8 each — bonus!