Binary Bar, Manchester
Yes or No? True or False? Right or Wrong? One or Zero? There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand binary and those who don’t.
A new concept has been launched in Manchester close to my flat. It’s a Stealth Bar. Stealth in the sense that nobody knew it was coming and nobody noticed when it arrived. Do the owners know more about base 2 numbers than marketing?
On a street that is still making the transition from old industrial units, to modern city pads for the upwardly mobile and (mostly) young, the bar is almost invisible. It is unadvertised, has virtually no signage and is tucked away where most people would never find it.
No surprise then that it was almost empty on the Saturday night we visited.
Which is a shame because it is quite funky and has some decent beers and reasonably priced wines and a relaxed atmosphere.
I think they could employ some marketing help. One angle is as a place to meet up before you head out to town on the razz. Another is to be the place you pop for an after work beer with mates. Rumours are that the empty unit next door is to become a resto, which offers yet more reasons to visit. Once established, the reasons to visit need to be shouted out. How about some leaflets in the local apartment blocks? A sign outside the bar, and at the corner of the street where most people would simply pass Binary by unnoticed? How about an online presence better than this?
I think as the area develops, the resto opens and apartment blocks gradually fill, Binary can be successful. I hope the owners have enough money to last until then….
Will you visit Binary?  1 or 0?
Binary Bar, Arundel Street, Hulme, Manchester M15 4JR. www.binarybar.co.uk.
***Post Script – this bar has long since been refurbished – see my later review here.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Or perhaps it’s just a front for something. I suggest you go back and investigate.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
There is a bar here by Walla Walla that reminds me of Binary. This place is perfect though, he put the place in a tiny town next to Walla Walla so it would be a destination and would have a cozy ambiance without the tourist crowds. It worked, I have never found a place so welcoming, warm, and just plain perfect. They do no advertising as far as I can tell which only adds to the appeal.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I understand binary…it took me a while but I finally grasped it. Wine helped me through it:)
February 28th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Our new look website is online at http://www.binarybar.co.uk. We’re open from 7.30am for breakfast, and then throughout the day for lunch and until later in the evening for cocktails, wines, beers and spirits.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Delighted to see the place is getting busier, and that an advertising board sits proudly at the end of the street. Keep the faith guys and keep marketing……
March 14th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
The area needed a bar. The mass of apartments and lack of social meeting place has been difficult. Its important that we spread the word and make this place a success for the future. Tell your mates…..see you down there!
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I’d just like to let everyone know that Binary Bar has been transformed in to a cool cocktail bar. We also serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, including pizzas to eat in or take away. Check out the website http://www.binarybar.co.uk
We’ll also be showing movies, sports events and have a Wii and Xbox in our snug.
Check us out!
AP
October 10th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi, i brought my girlfriend here at the weekend after a fantastic 1st visit 2 months ago. I ordered the same meal as the first time, but unfortunatly the quality didn’t live upto that of my first visit. Sorry guys.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Shame that Dan left, this place is going down the pan now Tom is in charge…..