Bar Lina

Bar Lina opened in 2025 as the sultrier sibling to Lina Stores, the London-born Italian deli-and-restaurant group whose Quay Street site is its first opening outside the capital. It sits behind the ground-floor restaurant in the Spinningfields corner of Manchester city centre, directly opposite the Opera House, and leans hard into Italian aperitivo culture — post-work drinks that carry on into laid-back cocktails late into the night.

The room contrasts an industrial architectural shell with Italian design from the late 1960s and 70s: a monochrome dark-red colour scheme, plush velvet banquettes, chrome accents and mirrored walls that lend it a low-lit, speakeasy feel. An 80s Italo disco soundtrack runs throughout, with DJ nights spinning Italo disco, funk and electronic music on Fridays and Saturdays until late. The bar keeps late hours — Wednesday through Saturday, running to 1.30am — and welcomes walk-ins.

The drinks list celebrates Italian spirits and ingredients, from the signature Bloody Martini (tomato, Mancino Secco vermouth and vodka) to a wine list drawn from across Italy, but the alcohol-free side is a deliberate part of the offering rather than an afterthought. Manchester's Finest describes it as "a concise but well-considered range of alcohol-free cocktails, all based around a 0% amaro spirit," letting the bar rebuild spritz-style Italian aperitivi without the alcohol. Alongside the zero-proof cocktails there is a solid selection of modern, crafty 0% beers on tap and in cans from breweries including Hawkshead, Jever and Schneider Weisse — enough to see out a full alcohol-free evening, from aperitivo through to a late nightcap.