Bartender of the Week: Joe Eyre, Gorilla

Each week we'll be chatting to one of Manchester's favourite bartenders about the city's bars, pubs and clubs. After all, what better way to get an insight into a bar than from the person serving the drinks? This week we ask Joe Eyre, bartender at Gorilla a few questions...

Gorilla Bartender Joe

Joe works at popular Manchester DJ bar, Gorilla.

Name: Joe Eyre 

Age: 26

Works at: Gorilla

You should come for drinks at Gorilla because… it's great, such a versatile place. You can come for an amazing dining experience - maybe before a gig - and appreciate the wonderful food that's accompanied by a great wine list. Alternatively, just for casual drinks I'd advise coming late on a Friday when you can get round our bar and let one of the bartenders take you through our beer and cocktail list.

I’ll whip you up a… Chocolate Manhattan; a twist on a classic Manhattan. We use Four Roses Bourbon, Rubis Chocolate Wine, Antica which is a sweet Vermouth - and a dash of cherry bitters. It's boozy, chocolatey and delicious. 

Mine’s a… Negroni; an Italian aperitif.

When I’m off duty you’ll normally find me… having beers at Temple Bar and Port Street Beer House. We tend to hang out in Kosmanaut a lot too. And Soup Kitchen have some great nights on.

The best thing about being a bartender is… always socialising. You never really feel like you're at work, and when you get the right crowd in it can be a lot of fun - almost like you're on a night out yourself.

Not many people know this but… I used to coach tennis, and for a while coached ex-footballer David Platt and Alan Smith when he was at Manchester United. He was a good tipper.

Come and see me on… pretty much any night of the week. I'm basically always there.