My best friend and I decided to attend the infamous Cloud 23 on an ambitious Saturday evening. We queued for around 20 minutes; refreshingly shorter than expected and as we stood at the opening of the elevator, we chatted to the lovely and outgoing hostess. Everything seemed to be lovely and we were excited to get a drink down us. Then we went to the 23rd floor. As the elevator doors opened to the grand main room, we were greeted immediately by a waitress who rushed us to a table without even a 'hello', perhaps because it was a busy Saturday night. Even so, I don't think manners are a lot to expect, especially after seeing the heart-breaking prices; we felt less impressed with our bank balances by this point. We took a deep breath and decided on a gin a slim-line tonic each (I was in a tight turtle neck and didn't like the idea of being bloated in the Hilton) which was obviously set up to be a failure when paying £8.50 each. The highlight of the experience is a toss-up between the decadent and immaculately kept toilets with gorgeous views to appreciate (even at the urinals!) and the generally beautiful decor and furniture throughout. We stayed for two drinks but by that time we were almost £40 down and my friend had the onset of pneumonia from the brutal air conditioning. Overall, I'd give the experience about a 6/10. Perfect for a heavy payday or if you fancy a night of (literally) seeing what Manchester has to offer at your feet. A pleasant feeling of fanciness and not much else, I was hardly on cloud 9 at Cloud 23." read more

Cloud 23.... There's two ways to this bar. The time when you take your friends who've never been to Manchester before to soak up the views and have afternoon tea and cocktails and then there's the mid-week drink. For afternoon tea at the weekend you will need to book a table quite a while in advance (especially at weekends) Luckily this can be done online. Although it is impressive, Manchester House have recently come up with an afternoon tea to rival Cloud 23... I've found when it's busier the service in the drinks only area can be a little (very) slow. On my latest visit to take a friend who is leaving Manchester the wait to be served for an after work drink whilst the sun set over Manchester was ridiculous. I'd suggest making sure you book at any time now, as the people in the booked area looked to have far more attentive service. Great show on the cocktails and a view to tick off the bucket list, but generally the service has gone down hill since my first visit a few years ago. read more

Stunning place on 23 floor Hilton hotel. Nice coktiles but overpriced, This place is perfect to visits with friends when you showing Manchester. read more

Cloud 23 - Lounges Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Went here for cocktails a few days ago and had forgotten how good it is. The views were amazing and the new decor has made it much lighter and contemporary. Love the Manchester spin on the names for the cocktails such as ena sparkles and the collyhurst fizz. Yes the cocktails are pricey but they are so good it is something to treat yourself to for a special occasion. I won't leave it so long until my next visit. read more

Cloud 23 - Cocktails at cloud 23 ena sparkles and delicious sour. - Lounges Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Horrible staff too bad was really excited for this coming all the way from LA wish I could give negative stars literally servers don't even bother with attending their customers even with bottle service they could careless about your experience read more

You have to queue for ages to be let in, people staying in the Hilton get to smugly queue jump while you stand there like a melon, your outfit is assessed to within an inch of its life by the door staff, its hideously overpriced, the bar decor is average at best and seating arrangement is ludicrous, you are embarrassed into starting a tab that you have no hope of being able to afford, the clientele are all knobules.....but it's on the 23 third floor !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really high up!!!!!!!!!!!!! With lots of booze!!!!!!!!!!!! Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Cloud 23 - Lounges Near Me - Manchester, XGM

This is 100% my favourite place to go for cocktails in alllll of Manchester. Not (just) because of its glamorous decor, sumptuous setting and vertiginous location, but because the cocktails are truly lush. The menu here has about 30 different cocktails on it, ranging from your classic margarita (served without ice as standard, gotta love it) to special, 'signature' cocktails with a Manchester twist, like the Hand in Glove, a citrussy cocktail that packs a punch thanks to Tanqueray 10, and The 'Hac', a spicy pineapple margarita. Their bellinis are really something, too. You could have a traditional peach bellini, but I strongly recommend the morello cherry blend, it's lush. The drinks are expertly made by mixologists who really know what they're doing. And really, £9 is not a lot to pay for a decent cocktail. This is the sort of place you go for a treat, when it's nice to feel a bit naughty and have a good drink too. It's kind of like the Stella adverts; reassuringly expensive... The service has gotten some bad press here, and I'd like to stick up for the waitresses. On the night me and the boyf went (to celebrate me turning...23) we had a really great waitress who was efficient and really friendly. Despite the fact that it was late, she'd been on her feet probably since about 8, and she was getting way too much pervy banter from some blokes nearby, she was really great, and deserves credit for it. As for the much-maligned queue, if you plan ahead and book a table, you get to skip the queue, you don't need to be staying there, just plan ahead a little... I really have no issues with Cloud 23. It is one of my absolute favourite places to be. The drinks, the view, the service, it's all good. Also, I think it's really kind of cute and kitschy that the waitresses wear little neckerchiefs, like air hostesses! read more

The only thing this place has going for it is the location. Veritably non-exisitent service, cheap tricks on the drinks, and not much else to say. A "must-visit-once" (as any view-bar, in any city) but twice, eh... read more

Gawd, when my friend got her birthday all planned out for her and in the evening's plans was a shortcut entry to Cloud 23, courtesy of her stay at the lovely Manchester Hilton, she was having Kittens, Bless. Pleased, well that was an understatement. All she could keep saying was, the view, the view is supposed to be amazing, it's going to be amazing. Cocktails, decadent, amazing. The view, well the clue is in the name, 23, sometimes it's the address number, sometimes it's the postcode, this case it's the floor level. That many feet up off the ground and it's gonna be spectacular. Dressing down definitely isn't on the cards for a visit at the cloud, I'm not saying put on your tux and ball gown, but it's not a jeans and trainers kind of place, what kind of place is it, an expensive cocktails kind of place. A tenner will get you a cocktail with not much change. Weekends will get you queuing and it crowds, week nights are a bit quieter and generally lower on the pretentious swank crowd. It's cool for a first time experience, and it's a great way to see Manchester, much better than the Wheel. read more

Cloud 23 is probably the second place after the good old Wheel to see Manchester from a bird's eye view. 23 floors up in the air, the view would definitely be breathtaking to think about it. This place is the 'it posh place'. Decked up in red and black, with the dimmest lights to play with your mood, it's not too bad at all. Posh generally comes with a price and this place is no different. Don't try and wear something even close to casual here, you may totally feel an outsider. Don't say you weren't warned! The place is obviously good for its cocktails but I may add that after being here more than five times, the price tag of the cocktails certainly doesn't match the taste of it. Either that or the air pressure at the 23rd floor makes it taste bad! Ok, so it would be a tenner to get one drink, so make sure you have a lot filled in your purse! The place is good if you want to spend and want a special posh birthday or you want to celebrate any ocassion. What I really liked about here, is the little round transparent flooring, on which when you stand, you feel like you're on air because you can see all the way down! Now, that is so worth it! Plus, I totally adore the trademark red-lips chairs! Photo material! So if you've got the bling and have just bought that snazzy dress you're dying to try out, Cloud 23 would be your bet! read more

Ahh how blissful it is to sit in Cloud23 with a cocktail in hand, gazing out to Manchester.. Perfect for special occasions - or a casual drink if you have the cash to splash - it's not overly expensive but if I bought more than four drinks, I'd be concerned for my finances the next day. Go online to sign up to the guestlist and reserve a spot then when you arrive you're shown to the lift to go up the 23 floors.. happy moment to press that button. Mood lighting in the bar sets the tone and the low seating and tables encourage relaxation. The cocktails are second to none - I recommend the Vertigo (£8.95) which is gin based with pomegranate or the Atmosphere (£8.25) with a mix of apricot and peach. Fresh and fruity. There are little nibbles available as well which go down very nicely. Agreed, the views are amazing - especially if you stand over the glass part of the floor. There's a definite mix of amazement and fear. It's a little bit freaky to look down at the tiny people walking around below. Another drink quickly sorts you out though. The bar staff are friendly and one guy in particular is gorgeous and very funny.. embarrassingly we harassed him slightly.. read more

Being in Cloud 23 at with thousands of twinkling lights stretching out below you is quite like being on the London Eye at night, exept you're not moving and since as we're not in London this is the next best thing! The view is jaw dropping and being sat back with a fancy little cocktail in hand gazing out at the city is a great way to enjoy a night of sophisticated semi-drunkness.The air of laid back chic is very entising and cool for something a little bit special. Being up here above all the mere mortals far, far below does make you feel special, that is until you run out of cash on the £8.50-a-pop cocktails. Which are, might I add, just as fantastic as the view. The 'Marked Man' is a good man's cocktail if such a thing even exits; whiskey, figs, maple syrup and bitter shaken together. A great bar for an occasional visit. Any more and the nouveau riche who also like to come here (as well as the rest of us who've saved up a week's pay) might just get a bit annoying. read more

I think this place deserves more stars that the three and a half that its got. Basically i guess people dont like the prices, but i feel that these arent too bad, and that if you consider that you are paying for the view as well, its probably worth it. They do an amzing list of cocktails and these are only £8. I say only £8 but that is a huge amount. So i take aback that 'only'. Beers hhowever, are ONLY £4. I think this is not too bad given that a beer in town is around £3.30 anyway. So you're paying 70p for the view. This view is worth 70p. read more

Cloud 23 is the kind of destination you save for really special occassions. Located on the 23rd floor of the Hilton Towever, you can see the whole of Manchester (the good bits and bad). It is such a shame that Manchester is such a drab, grey city, as I am sure it would look beautiful from Cloud 23 on a sunny day. To get to the bar, you go in an lift which is exclusively for Cloud 23; it only has one option. This automatically gives the place a feeling of complete exclusivity. The Bar itself is solely waiter service which although sounds ideal; can be a little irritating when busy as it takes ages for your drink to come. The cocktails here, i think are unrivalled as the best in Manchester and so they should be at £9 a throw. Cloud 23 also does "High Tea" (I see what they did there!) which is High Tea in the afternoons on both weekdays and weekends. It is a delighful little selection of cakes, pastries and other sweet things served on one of those tiered cake trays. They play Jazz music quite loud too which gives it a really authentic feel I have only been here once and it was full of retired folk which made me think "Jeeez I can't wait to be retired". A High Tea experience isn't cheap but is definately worth it. It comes in at £15 for for High Tea with Tea, and £25 for High Tea with Champagne. I advise going for the latter, I mean why not? read more

Booked afternoon tea for 14 for a hen party here. It was amazing! Spectacular views (of course!) and a vibrant atmosphere, as well as an array of sandwiches, cakes and treats to die for! Anyone who reads my reviews knows I usually comment on the availability of foods for varying dietary requirements. Whilst the others had scones (which can be made with gluten free flour on request) and cakes, I had macaroons and coconut milk trifle and I was pleasantly surprised. I had my sandwiches on gluten free bread and instead of cheese I had hummus. I'm impressed with the effort made to accommodate my needs. I had peppermint tea and also purchased an elderflower and apple iced tea, which was refreshing and delicious. I'd recommend afternoon tea if you want a special experience to remember. read more

Cloud 23 - Lounges Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Are the views worth the pretentious atmosphere and slow service? I suppose I'm willing to be convinced. We waited about half an hour for a waitress and although we went repeatedly to the bar, we were told that you had to order from a waitress at your table and that they would send one over. When they finally came the drinks were good, but perhaps not worth the hassle. However, the views from the ladies' toilets are amazing. read more

For a one-off visit, Cloud 23 is well worth it. However, it was pretty frustrating being forced to wait in a 'queue' - on our own - while everyone else (hotel guests and bookings) was fast tracked up in the lift. "We're busy tonight" was the reason given. Funny, then, how when we finally permitted to ascend to the 23rd floor there were plenty of empty tables, including one of the sought-after window tables. ANYWAY. The views are, indeed, spectacular. On our visit we could see a localised rain storm in one direction, and a stunning rainbow in the other. You could honestly spend hours watching all the little trams and trains whizz by. Tip: if you have any kind of tiltshift camera you can get some nifty miniature-esque shots from up here. Drinks * are * expensive, but not massively extortionate. Average price for a cocktail is about £8 / £9, but then you have to add service on to that. My advice: go here for one drink. Make it last. Take in the views. Then move on somewhere else. read more

Great views of Manchester. It is difficulty to get in unless you stay at the hotel (Hilton Deansgate) or on the Guest List. The Manchester crowd statts queuing at 6pm. Good cocktails and a chilled venue with everyone the views and sipping away. If you like flash venues, wanna see footballers and WAGS this is the right place. Have had the experience I have been not in a hurry to go back. read more

Went for pre concert cocktails at this beautiful venue. Me and my guests booked ahead meaning you get to jump the queue. The views over Manchester are great! You can see for miles! Service was quick and informative. A couple of my guests had specific questions or asked for recommendations and these were met with enthusiasm and clear knowledge from staff. I can't speak on behalf of the ladies but in the gents there was a massive window by the urinals which I thought was a giggle. A wee with a view! Would return again and definitely recommend to others :) read more

Boyfriend took me there on a night out- amazing views! Very classy and sophistcated. Cocktails were lovely although a bit expensive but I'd definitely go again! Defintely a place to go to for a special occasion read more

That was the first time I had a real English afternoon tea!! And it was awesome!! The food and the service is so good! At first we wanna have a seat beside the window so that we could see the stunning view but when we got there there is no available seat so we took a random seat...after a while servant came and asked that if we wanna change our seat near the window,and they can help remove our food and we say sure!! And the afternoon tea is also perfect!! read more

Cloud 23 - The afternoon tea - Lounges Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Had to queue for an hour to get in here on Saturday night, there was a strict 1 in 1 out policy. Once we got in there, the place was half empty! strange! The 'eye' glass floor feature was not maintained at all. The glass had completely misted up with scratches and dust, so the effect was ruined. After we ordered some drinks, they were left on the bar for about 5 minutes before a waitress brought them over. She apologised and told us that the barman who made them then went on a break and forgot about them! They got 2 stars because of the nice view. The service was awful, especially considering that cocktails were nearly £10 each. read more

Worth visiting at least once, especially if you have friends visiting, etc, as the view is amazing. However it does still have that corporate feel to it as it is attached to the hilton. The service is good, and the drinks are tasty, but after going once it wouldn't be high on my list to visit again and again read more

I'm leaving Manchester in April for the bright lights of Leeds and I've put together a Manchester bucket list of places to go and things to do. One of them was watch the sunset over the city I've called home for two years from Cloud 23. So yesterday I ticked this experience off from my bucket list (sadly not in romantic fashion because sad singleton, but with my best friend) and I'm sad to report that I was left distinctly underwhelmed. We waited around 10 minutes to go up to Cloud 23 on the super quick elevator, all good so far. We were shown to our table, right at the window and as I expected, the view was incredible. Things kind of went a little downhill from there. The menus we had been given had pages missing, the seats we were sat in were beyond they're best with large cracks and a couple of tears and I know this is silly, but the windows were dirty. But at a place where the view is the premium a I expected a little better. So we sat and waited, and waited, and waited for someone to take our drinks order to no avail. Half an hour passed, and almost delirious with thirst we had to ask at the bar for someone to take our order. I can't fault the cocktail (the industrialist), it was delicious and a spectacle to look at. Thankfully our second drink order was taken much quicker, but again only after asking to be served by a passing waiter with empty glasses on our table. We then asked for the bill, which included a 10% service charge. In general I'm against included service and this was the first time I've refused to pay it. In all, beautiful views and cocktails, but the little touches and service left me thankful that I hadn't saved coming here on a special occasion or with someone special to make an impression. read more

Less than you'd expect from somewhere with the hype and prices of this place. Yes it's a great view and it's nice to be so high up and drink but personally feel it's a little overrated. Worth a try if you're visiting Manchester or haven't been before but not somewhere to visit regularly. The service is nothing special either. Overall pretty average read more

Being honest there's not much to recommend about this place except the view.... but dismissing the view would be foolish. If like me you like the idea of standing close to the HUGE windows and looking out over the busy streets below with a fine Scotch like a Mancunian Bruce Wayne.. Then come here. Please be warned however that you will soon realise you are not Bruce Wayne when you can't afford the bar tab. It's pricey. read more

I was pretty excited the first time I went to Cloud 23, it was a friends 21st and I put on a dress and everything, however, I was sadly disappointed when I got up there. I'm not sure what I expected, but shabby furnishings and slow service wasn't it. Don't get me wrong, the cocktails are great and the views are spectacular but I always feel that the evening isn't worth the wait downstairs and the celebrity price-tag. The best time to go is early evening so you can catch the sun set over Manchester, book a table in advance (usually at least a month before) so you don't need to queue at the lift. Beer and wine prices are pretty steep so I'd definitely recommend picking a cocktail and sipping slowly. Better still, get a selection of cocktails between your group and share them out so you each get a taste, just swap straws and make it casual so the staff don't think you're bonkers. If you venture up during the day splash out on the Champagne afternoon tea (£35 a head) and nibble to your heart's content whilst watching the world go by below. read more

It's a really good place to go for a special occasion or something different. Being 23 floors up beetham tower means there is a fantastic view waiting for you. I've been in the summer and the view is impressive and I can imagine on a dark night the lights of the city will look good. It's an expensive place but the champagne cocktails are very good as are the others. It's slightly annoying about the booking in advance and large queue on a weekend so I would suggest a weeknight if you can or even lunch time when it's more relaxed and you can spend sometime enjoying the place and the view! read more

Went to a cocktail making class. For £35 you get a welcome glass of Bellini. You are then shown how to make 2 cocktails which you get to drink all to yourself ( I've been to others where we have had to share). There were also a few snacks. read more

I have been here a couple of times and it's a lovely chill out atmosphere. The last time I was here it was for my cousins 18th and we hired a few table I didn't have cocktails on this occasion I had vodka and coke and champaign and the were both lovely. They do lots of lovely cocktails I have had the 1930 cosmopolitan and here's to baby both delicious. The staff are really friendly and can't do enough for you they are constantly bringing table nibbles round. It's a great place day or night, if you go up in the day make sure it's a clear day if it's too cloudy you won't see much I recommend a nice spring or summers day, The view at night is just as impressive I prefer the night or just as its changing from afternoon to evening as you see manchester changing and it gets all lit up and it's just beautiful one of the best places to see the whole of manchester. read more

We booked a table for 6.45 and were reserved at iris. Fortunately for us it was very sunny and we got great views of Manchester from up above. Cocktails were very very good (1930s cosmo and vertigo). We thoroughly enjoyed ourself and will definitely go back again! read more

I went there for a few times. First time I was impressed as the view was pretty cool and it reminded me of Japanese building. cocktails are good! beer is nearly 5-ish but if you just enjoy a couple of bottle, good place to go!( not good place if you want to drink heavily). but when i went a few times, i am less impressed. and last time i went , during daytme, i ordered a tea. but the cup was not that clean. and tea is from whittard( i thought they have its own tea). so since i get used to the view, i think i had enough. probably good place if you take someone visitor but i am happy to go pub around corner now! read more

Cloud 23 is one of Manchester newest and possibly swankiest bars. The bar is located on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower in castlefield (otherwise knows at the Hilton building). When you enter the building you take the express lift and go straight up to the 23rd floor. When I arrive at Cloud 23 I must admit I was quite surprised I did expect it to be considerable larger that what it was, we went on a Friday night and had to wait to enter the bar due to it being at full capacity. This is not a place I would drink regularly but it is definitely worth going for the experience. When you are in the bar the first think you become aware of is the slick and trendy décor, it is very modern and equally as comfortable looking. Perhaps the best thing about this bar is the view, I don't think you will see a view equal to this anywhere else in Manchester; we were there when it was dark so everything below us was just a matter of lights. Perhaps the biggest down fall of Cloud 23 is the price for drinks; it is perhaps one of the most expensive drinking establishments in Manchester. I had a cocktail and I can't remember how much it cost but it was the most expensive one I have ever paid for. All the drinks seem to be extremely over priced, it would seem that you are partly paying for the experience of drinking in the sky. I would recommend going for a drink but I wouldn't recommend making a night of it due to the costs. The staff were very professional and smart, it was very apparent that the bar prides itself of elegance and style. Its ideal for couples or maybe small groups on a night out, one thing I did notice is that they don't allow children in the bar at any time. read more

Nice place to go for a treat. The views are stunning, day or night. The service has always been very good and helpful. The only downside is the over priced drinks, fortunately they're very tasty. Worth a visit but make sure you book well in advance if you go on a weekend. read more

This is a bar to visit on a special occasion or if you are wanting to give visitors a memorable experience. We were told that you had to queue for a long time to get in,but actually ,I have been 5 times now and never queued.The lift takes you up to the 23rd floor and then the view hits you. It is absolutely breathtakingamazing. I have been both at night and in the day and proboly prefer the view at night. The drinks are disgustingly expensive,so dont stay too long!! read more

Great views, cocktails are ok but pricey at around £8 each - worth it for the views however. Make sure you book in advance if you want a window seat. read more

One word to describe this palce for a one-off occasion WOW. Extremely beautiful views over the city along with brilliant drinks for a high price of course. Surrounded by the rich guys and galls of the city who will be flowing with cash on the up to £10 cocktails. For a one-off venture, definitely make a reservation and head here. However I would advise against just turning up here and hoping to get in as its usually reservation only with a long wait of up to an hour to get in after all the reservers have been let up the classy elevator to the 23rd floor. Recommended. read more

After living in Manchester my whole life we thought it was about time to head to one of the most luxurious spots in the city centre and see what all the fuss was about. The lift zoomed up to the 23rd floor in a matter of seconds and we were seated straight away (despite having no reservation). We were fortunate to get one of the tables right next to the window which looks out onto one of the best views he city has to offer. The service was quite slow to the point where we thought it might be bar service opposed to table service but we did get our drinks about 10 minutes after we ordered them. I ordered The Stratosphere (the tallest drink in Manchester) and my boyfriend had The Industrial (Bourbon Old Fashioned with candy-floss). Whilst the gimmick of The Stratosphere was impressive, I was underwhelmed once I realised I'd paid £23 for a drink which was actually smaller than an average cocktail. Both cocktails were lovely as you would expect and the views made up for the price of the drink. The only negatives really are because Cloud 23 is quite expensive you would expect better service and atmosphere. Good spot for a special occasion because of the views -but that is really what you are paying for. read more

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Very nice place to start the night out. Beautiful view over Manchester, nice (and expensive) drinks. Unfortunately you need to be patient to get in, without reservation (or being a hotel guest) it takes a while to queue. read more

wow, wow, wow! EVERYTHING about this place is impressive. If you want somewhere to go to have an really well made cocktail, stunning views and trendy atmos, then it's here! They've been listed on this site that I've been visiting as one of the top 5 in Manchester - not surprising - http://bit.ly/OuwDTQ read more