The Rivals Bar & Cafe image

The Rivals Bar & Cafe

Cafe Bar

Warm, energetic stop for pre-theatre modern British cuisine alongside cocktails, beers & cask ales. People often mention theatre, great,


Address

Royal Exchange, Manchester, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7DH, United Kingdom

Contact

+44 161 615 6666

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (67 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11 am to 7:30 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 7:30 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 7:30 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 11 am to 7:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 7:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 to 7:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: theatre (8) great (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Chris P. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place, impossible to see from exchange square, but hidden inside the exchange theatre is this restaurant and bar. Wonderfully decorated, relaxed and classy. Good ale selection actually, food looks very nice but is towards the pricier end of the spectrum. I haven't eaten here yet so I can't tell you if it matches the expectations that sets.

  • 5/5 Compliche2000 1 year ago on Google
    Nice quiet place, live piano, interesting building with a long history, friendly & polite stuff, clean g not pricey, enjoy)

  • 5/5 Katie B. 5 years ago on Google
    What a lovely evening in a great setting. Beautiful food, excellent choice of wine and relaxed dining experience. The staff were very attentive, we were brought water straight away and both our drink and food orders were taken as soon as we were ready. I had the feta arancini to start followed by the fish cakes and topped off with a chocolate delice, it was all delicious. The portions were great value for money and we were both suitably full. Thank you for your hospitality, we will be back soon!

  • 5/5 Mark 7. 4 years ago on Google
    Went in for the first time yesterday, Lovely bar. Had a pint of cask ale and the barman took the trouble to make sure the beer was ok before he pulled my pint out. That is great service, and something you don't get very often these days. Wish this bar had of been here when I used to go to the theatre regularly! Will definitely make sure I come back though.

  • 5/5 Steven E. 5 years ago on Google
    A great night out with our youngest daughter and her partner, a treat for her birthday and their engagement, and a wonderful treat it was, too. Pre-meal G&T's while walking round the unique theatre space, then a window table overlooking St Anne's Square for our meal. Fabulous food and great wine in abundance with attentive service from the young (to me) staff. Had all three courses from the a la carte menu, good portions definitely not tiny nouvelle cuisine size. Not cheap but quality never is or should be. A top destination for a big treat when you want to push the boat out.

  • 5/5 Elisabeth H. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely food and a bit unusual but none the worse for that. Wine per glass £6 a bit pricey even for Marlborough. Would advise buying a bottle if more than one glass is required. Otherwise fine

  • 5/5 geoff m. 4 years ago on Google
    The Rivals Bar is situated in a special location. The Exchange theatre is suspended from the pillars within the building and is a theatre in the round. Quite unique. We eat at lunch time from a variety of fayre which is fresh tasty and served by friendly staff. A nice experience.

  • 5/5 Miki C. 6 years ago on Google
    I booked a table here on Friday night on the recommendation of a friend. I was not disappointed!!! The service was terrific with our waitress recommending a delicious bottle of red i would have not normally have chosen ( Alma De Forcada Rioja Garnacha Cepas Viejas if your interested ) We were sat near the open kitchen ( i love watching my food being prepared, always looking for cheffy tricks :)) and overlooking St Annes square. I ordered the poached salmon to start and my companion had the siracha king prawns. The salmon was divine, id like to comment on the prawns but the lady was not for sharing .For the mains i choose the fishcakes whilst my friend ordered the Beef. On arrival both dishes looked amazing although i was slightly jealous of her dish as it smelt amazing. My fishcake were really good, they were served with a smoked cheddar and a divine sauce. I ended my meal with the grapefruit posset, it was perfect!!!! ( i had a sneaky spoonful of the rhubarb dessert, it brought a little pudding tears to my eye it was so good. ) Overall i would highly recommend this restaurant. The staff are a credit to the place as in they are attentive without being over the top and are really warm and genuine. I had the pleasure of spotting the head chef Anna in the restaurant, she was really lovely and friendly. Just book a flippin table :)

  • 3/5 Marcella S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very limited selection of food Service slow when ordering food/drink Clearing of tables very efficient Prices very reasonable

  • 4/5 M1G_52 10 months ago on Google
    the exchange is a great setting for the rivals bar. Thoroughly enjoyed looking around the interior. Table settings design a bit naff but Good quality alcohol free beer.

  • 1/5 Paul R. 11 months ago on Google
    The theatre was rehearsing but some brainless sound engineer had the volume levels turned up so loud it could cause customers hearing damage. Not going again because this happening all too often.. Not fault of the cafe staff.. Nice cafe nice people but the sound engineers are ruining their trade

  • 5/5 Dave C. 11 months ago on Google
    Great bar for pre theatre drinks. Wide selection of spirits.

  • 5/5 Sarah B. 7 months ago on Google
    Always makes a trip to the theatre even better! Definitely worth booking in.

  • 2/5 Robert T. 4 months ago on Google
    This may be petty to some. But the reason I have given this place a low score. Is because they only serve vegan cakes now. Had it been the other way around there would be loads of complaints. I would highly recommend the place to my friends and family But no longer. Most Cafes and coffee shops around the UK try their best to cater for vegans and it's getting better each year. So out of principal and fairness I sadly won't be using this place again even though the service and atmosphere are great.

  • 5/5 Tracey C. 3 months ago on Google New
    A really good place to eat , very 👍 🙂

  • 5/5 William H. 5 months ago on Google
    Just to Clarify, now no longer a formal restaurant but a no reservation, Café serving light meals in accordance with the Theatre Productions on during the day. Closes as the evening performance starts


Call +44 161 615 6666 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

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