Keko Moku

There’s only a few words needed here to sell this bar to you. Rum, fire and amazing music!
It’s a really small venue but it’s so fun. The last time we went they set the ceiling on fire (should I be excited by that?). Try the zombie if you’re out for the night, they’re super tasty! Also, keep your eye out for the rum tasting nights. You learn a lot and get your fair share of cheeky samples.

I would say arguably my favourite bar in Manchester.
I just love how you can walk in and feel cozy and kinda homely in a tiki bar in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
I drink at the bar most weekends and because of that I’m good friends with the bar staff who are great guys. If the bars a bit quieter (don’t do this on a Saturday night) go off menu, the guys will ask what alcohol and what flavours you like and cook you something up to your taste which I always find is great! But if you like the drink take note of what it is because you’ll be in luck to get the same again haha!
I’m a hardcore piña colada fan myself, but the Saturn on the menu is pretty great, something about Gin that really brings out the fruity taste behind the cocktail.
You can’t go wrong with this little gem.

The place was pretty eye catching from the cold and damp street on a February night. The reviews looked good as I’d seen it in the area before and wanted to check it out.
On entry I was impressed by the décor. Seen something similar in Glasgow but this was a bit more special. Cocktails were great. Good rums, good flavours and some great presentation.
Bar man appeared disinterested in the customers and was would rather chat to his mate who was standing on his phone by the bar. Having worked in bars myself I know the importance of having a little banter whilst making drinks. This wasn’t great considering the bar was quite quiet that night. Left me a little disappointed.

I’ve been here a couple of times now, and I have to admit that I absolutely love it! There’s something about the cosy, slightly cramped interior that makes me feel really at home — the fact they keep setting fire to things (cocktails) some how makes me feel even more at home (I’m only 98% weirdo I promise).
The bar is tiny, only room for about 20 at most, and the bar matches — super small, but staffed by really happy pyromaniacs. They make a mean cocktail, and in the case if the zombie, I suspect that it might mug you on the way home too.
The décor is fantastic, with Tiki heads all over the place, totems and other paraphernalia of the deep and darkest West Indies…
If you’re in the mood for a little faux Carribean flavour, there’s little better that you could do, especially if you’re looking for a cheap thrill, or at very least seeing a drink torched.

I spend a lot of time in the NQ but have always walked past Keko Moku — but i am so glad i went last night.
I popped in for a cocktail after dinner and was surprised when opening the door at just how tiny the place is! However, i liked it. It was warm, cosy with dim lighting. There was around 10 others in the bar and it was almost full, but i managed to find a little barrel to sit on. The bar is true to it’s name and is Hawaiian tiki themed and has a small un-​complicated cocktail menu.
The Zombie and the Bahamarama cocktails were both delicious and the bartender, who was tending the very small bar by himself, was very pleasant.
I can imagine this bar will be too busy at weekends, just becuase of it’s size — but for a midweek drink it seems perfect.

This place is a small tiki bar in Manchester where the staff are a very happy laid back bunch of young guys.
The cocktails are insanely good and made so well the alcohol doesn’t hit you it works together with all the other flavours.
There are ones for everybody whether you like something fruity or a more strong drink they know what will work together for a perfect drink.
You can see that the staff enjoy what they do and they have fun as they are working which is good to see.
Making cocktails with a blowtorch puts the fun factor back into things especially for the group of guys that run this place.
Easily the best daquri I have ever had!
If you are ever near by drop in, you will not be disappointed.

Great décor with a huge range of cocktails served in a spectacular way, enjoy the show with flames. Funky sharing drinks.

Have no money to book a holiday in a fancy beach but still want to have the beach shack like experience? (I might be exaggerating a bit, but you get the point right?) Head to this little gem hiding in the back alleys of Northern Quarter. It is small, packed with happy people, cool bartenders, and loads of cocktails (Sounds exactly like my kind of place).
I have been there on several occasions but the best one was when my friends came down from London after a lot of persuasion (They think no place in UK can be better than Lo– yawn-​don). This time I took it up as a challenge to make them fall in love with Manchester (yeah I am very proud of this city) and took them to several places which they liked. But the deal breaker was when I took them to Keko Moku because they finally admitted that they loved this place (Snooty Londoners phew!)
You ought to try the Zombie there, I am not going to disclose what it is and will let you find out for yourself (You are in for a treat I can assure). Most of their cocktails are absolutely delicious so feel free to ask the bar tender to make you a custom made one (It is a waste if you have the regular mojito’s or cosmopolitan here). The music is a mix of pop and rock & roll which always works on a night when you’re out to have fun and may be shake that sexy ass a bit!
Verdict: I can assure you will come out of this place happy and drunk! (Guess that is reason enough to visit a bar: p)

It’s small, it’s fun and it’s alcohol soaked — pretty much like me.
Keko Moku is the jewell in Manchester’s cocktail scene; big sister Socio next door is more of a straight laced affair, but Keko is always a happy, party place where the sunshine shines, the drink flows and the people smile.
What’s that you say? It’s Manchester and there’s never any sunshine? Step inside Keko and I’ll ask you again — is the sun shining? After a rum based drink and a minute in this miniature party palace, your smile will be as wide as the sun beams you’ll be seeing.
There’s a good selection of cocktails and some of the best Zombies ever created (with a good pinch of fire and theatre thrown in for good measure), but they also stock a wide range of specialist rums (the El Dorado 15 over ice is the BEST) and many other spirits too — plus they host rum club on a Monday where you get FREE drinks. Yeah FREE. Why are you not there now? It doesn’t matter if it’s not Monday!
If you’re fed up of the weather, need cheering up or just like a bit of fun then tiki on down to Keko Moku, whether it’s a Monday or not.

There is no better way to wash down an Almost Famous burger than with a rum based cocktail named after the soon to be master race. I am talking of course about the mighty Zombie (Or Zombi, as I usually write because I prefer the Italian spelling).
Keko Moku serves up the mightiest Zombie I have ever had the pleasure of drinking in a bar, I say that because Mrs Z makes the best free ones :)
Any bar that puts their drink in such a large glass is onto a winner, and if said bar then flames the drink using a little blow torch and then sprinkles Angel Delight on it to make the flames rise high enough to singe David Prowse’s eye brows can’t go wrong.
Ange had a very nice Blood Orange Mojito, I know it was nice because I don’t usually like the mix of lime and mint, but I thought it went really well with orange, and Ange really liked it too.
We were only in there about half an hour and I had two of those glorious Living Dead drinks, and half an hour was plenty long enough to know that I really liked Keko Moku.
The best Zombie right next door to the best Burgers and across the road from some of the nicest Pizza makes High Street possibly the most important stretch of road in the City!

Always lively and fun, Keko Moku is a proper bar, where the staff are skilled, upbeat and look after their customer incredibly well.
I was having a less than interesting night out with some friends, until we stumbled across the unsuspecting frontage of the wonder bar that this place is. Tucked away opposite Bluu bar, this small corner of Manchester bring a real sense of fun and family to any night out. Great staff, who are well versed in the art of cocktails (and their delivery) and who make you feel right at home.
Zombie! DING!
¹⁰⁄₁₀

When Manchester’s sideways precipitation, gale force winds and necessity for hats and trenchcoats gets you down, you might fancy yourself a wee bit o’ holiday bookin’. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve already used 90% of your allocated holiday time this year and you’re stuck in this place. Beachside cocktails of beachside strength made with showmanship flair, frozen daiquiris with your entire five-​a-​day blended into them and giant sharing punchbowls feel like years away. Ah, but a distant dream.
WRONG!
Do what we did after stuffing our visages with burgers and fries and chill your socks off with a Zombie. Aflame. While sitting on a barrel. How, I hear you ask? Well let me tell you. At Keko.
A standalone section of the Northern Quarter within easy reach of Thomas and Edge Street, just opposite Blu — this is where you will find Holidayland and Rum Club. No, but they really have a Rum Club. Mondays. Get involved.
While you’re here, have a signature Zombie. It’s served in a large pint glass with a handle that feels suitably Tiki and piratey at the same time. Like I said, AFLAME. Don’t worry, you get a straw, and the fires are contained by a boat made of a lime. Genius. Watching it being made is almost as enjoyable as drinking it. And should you also get a Fog Cutter, be aware that these things are deadly. The strongest drink on the menu tastes like it doesn’t contain even the tiniest trace of alcohol. It’s just delicious and hence dangerous.
Keko is tiny, cosy and delightful. They’ve not gone overboard and over-​the-​top kitsch with the décor — it just feels like a standard, traditional Tiki beach shack. In the middle of Manchester. What more could bring you virtual sunshine when the weather’s grim? Pop in straight after work when it’s still a bit quiet and drink a holiday in a glass. It’ll kickstart your evening right. Add to the mix delightfully friendly staff and you’ve got the cocktail for total happiness. (No, but I had to.)
Next on my list? That giant sharable strawberry daiquiri served in a big jam jar! These folks know the way to my heart…

Not a planned visit to this little place, but will definitely be planning visits in the future.
Tiki Cocktail bar jobby, now while I would class myself as a Ale man I am by no means sworn off other intoxications far from it.
The place is small, though that doesn’t seem to be a problem we were there on a Friday night and it didn’t seem to get busy while we were there I suspect that’s because from the outside this ‘maybe’ doesn’t look like a place worth going in (more the fool everyone who doesn’t). But I’d imagine if more than 20 people decided to inahbit the place at one time getting to the bar may pose a problem, I like small places feel friendlier (as long as you’re not wall to wall bodies)
The Cocktails are great, as far as I could see they don’t do any kinda offers like happy hour etc, but that doesnt phase me cocktails range from £6-£8 (with a few bits that cost more but are specials) and I’d say I’m happy with what I got for the price.
Started on a Zombie, and as I note from previous reviews this is the one that gets set on fire with a blow torch which is a great piece of bar showmanship getting people talking not only from the people who’ve ordered it but from the other people around the bar who probably end up thinking ‘What was that! I want one!‘
Followed this up with what they say is the strongest cocktail on the menu the Fog Cutter, at £12 I was expecting something to top the Zombie. To be honest it didn’t, the cocktail tasted like a melted calypso lolly, lovely flavour but zero alcohol taste, now I’m not one for drinking alcohol just for its affects I like the flavours it adds so this was a little bit of a disappointment especially as it cost considerably more, but the next cocktail pulled back the end of the night for me.
The Mai Tai Deluxe, if the Fog Cutter tasted a bit too Virgin then Mai Tai Deluxe slaps you full palm back into the Spirits ring, my word you’re drinking spirits and you know it. Which for me is awesome the flavours were great.
So Cocktails great, bar staff good for the Banter what could make this place even better… oh yes, the music!
Clearly the guys behind the bar just play whatever they want, and why not it’s a small place they can get away with it, for most of the night we had a mix of 80’s, 90’s joy (I apologise for getting overly excited at Dire Straits ‘Money for Nothing’ and insisting everyone be quiet for the intro)
Oh yeah, and I was sat on a Barrel… Sat on a Barrel drinking Rum infused cocktails, throw in a parrot or Captain Jack and I don’t think I would have left

eine der wenigen top-​bars in manchester mit dem grössten unterhaltungsfaktor!
direkt neben dem socio rehab gelegen, ist das keko moku die wohl kleinste bar in manchester, wenn nicht sogar im gesamten königreich; auf engstem raum brennen hier die bartneder um lyndon higginson allabendlich ein feuerwerk ab und ich meine dies wörtlich!!!
die drinks sind nicht mit denen der hauptstadt zu vergleichen, hier setzt man eher auf spass und party und das führte zur auszeichnung durch das rennomierte class magazine.

Keko Moku has a rum club. «The first rule of rum club, is that you do NOT talk about rum club. The second rule of rum club, is that you do NOT talk about rum club…» This homage to my favourite film is one of the first things I see on entering this tiki bar, and I’m instantly won over.
What else did I see? Well it really is something special. A combination of fishing nets suspended from the ceiling, hibiscus flowers encircling the walls and some retro footage of rather scrummy-​looking surfer-​dudes on the TV, all contribute to the sensation of having been transplanted out of rainy Manchester and into the tropical South Pacific. In addition, solid wooden tables and dark lighting rather enhance the atmosphere, it’s all rather lovely.
What doesn’t seem to fit in so well is the music. Like a few other places in the Northern Quarter, the selection of songs was fabulous, but just too darn loud, having to shout to make myself heard. Thus, the conversation between my friend and I was reduced to meaningful gestures and facial expressions rather than many actual words. Goodness knows how the bar staff are able to hear our orders.
But speaking of orders… this menu is something to get terribly excited about. Have you ever sipped a cocktail out of a flaming volcano bowl before? Well neither had I until the other day. But Kiko Moku’s sharing Scorpion Bowl was a delight for both my eyes and my tastebuds, did he really just set my cocktail on fire? Why, I believe he did. The menu boasts a fabulous selection of cocktails, from ‘tiki drinks’ to ‘tiki sharers’ to cocktails galore. One thing’s for sure: rum aplenty, gin aplenty, Hell just liquor aplenty! But if cocktails aren’t your poison, never fear, there are beers here too.
I have one qualm about this place (for the music issue is more like a mere quibble) and that concerns the toilets. There are two of them: one for men, one for ladies. And they are right next door to each other, sharing but the one sink. This can be quite upsetting when you’re dying to relieve your bladder and a man shortly emerges from the ‘ladies’ cubicle, and lo and behold, he left the seat up. Now that’s not very ladylike now is it!

By miles, my favourite bar in town. As a Los Angeles transplant in Manchester, I can say Keko Moku oozes an authentic SoCal tiki vibe. It’s incredibly laid back (jeans and a t-​shirt, fine) and the bar staff know their sh#t. It takes me back to the California dive bars that I miss so much (small, dark, sticky floor, downright unpretentious) and serves high quality, get-​you-​hammered tropical drinks.
The place is always exploding with energy on the weekends and I love the magic moment when someone’s Zombie cocktail bursts to light (by way of a FLAME THROWER) and the bar is momentarily lit up sending everyone buzzing– it really is like stepping out of the Northern Quarter into another world.
We always take visitors here «for one drink» and end up staying until closing time. The Missionary’s Downfall is definitely my desert island drink– and as long as I’m marooned in Manchester, I’ll be haunting this bar. Love it.

This place is a right beachy treat in the middle of Northern Quarter. It gets really packed through, which is my issue with it. It’s cosy to say the least and that makes for the toilets as well. Be prepared to squash in and squash out.
The bar staff are really cool though, you can trust them with your cocktails any day. Had some amazing concoctions in here, they do very well under pressure. One time the bar was packed out to the door and we were all just staring heaving over the bar. They responded with amazing mixtures and a cheeky drink pour to shut us all up. The barrels, the straw laiden bar and the skull antiquey light thing behind the bar are my favourite decorative pieces. Very Haiwaiaanesque. I don’t go too often because it is a bit pricy for my student budget but when I do I remember what I’ve missed for being skint.

I agree this is a really cool bar. The décor and cocktails are a classic combination, not dissimilar from the bars on cruise ships and all-​inclusive beach holiday hotels, but nonetheless a winning formula!
They’ve got bamboo and that kind of thing decorating the place, and you feel like you should be drinking out of coconuts rather than glasses. The place is really small which means the décor can really dominate the place, and you almost forget you’re in the middle of a northern industrial city.
The drinks, crucially, are made to match the décor, with exotic, largely rum-​based cocktails. A piña colada here is the final piece of the jigsaw in your quest for a bit of escapism.
The Bahamas, Hawaii, without the £800 cost of the flight. And just as good. Honestly, every bit as good as the Bahamas, I’ll go on record saying it.

Keko Moku is tiny. Possibly the smallest bar I’ve ever been in. But what in lacks in size it more than makes up for in enthusiasm.
The cocktails are tropical and enticing and many are served in South Pacific style mugs or glasses. The staff are chatty and entertaining but expect to wait a while for your drink as they like to take their time over them!
There are a few tables and seats dotted around but on a busy weekend night I wouldn’t expect to snag one easily.
If you’re prepared to stand, wait a while for your drink and deal with the crush of people, then it’s definitely worth a look.

I love this bar. It’s really cute and fun and has a bit of a different atmosphere to the indier or more swanky bars in the Northern Quarter.
It’s quite a small space and has a few tables and stools dotted about. If it’s really busy it can take a while to get served as the bar area itself is pretty small. Behind the bar is completely rammed with different spirits and rums. In fact as well as a cocktail menu they have a separate rum menu which ranges from about £4 to £100!
Entry is free and it’s just opposite Bluu.

Keku Moku could be easily overlooked, but I’m urging you not to. Nestled next to Bar Blu, this is easily one of the best cocktail bars in the centre. This is the second Tiki bar in Manchester, the other being Hula. I love that the Tiki concept (South Pacific-​themed décor and rum-​based drinks amongst others) is being revived here, nothing beats a tropical vibe on a Manchester winter night.
Of the 2 Tiki bars, this place wins hands down on atmosphere. It’s small, but perfectly formed and most importantly, intimate. The bar itself is built like a grass hut, with a myriad of spirits and liqueurs proudly on display, and the bar staff are clearly having a great time.
Most drinks are priced at around £6.50 and are worth every penny. Try the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Drink No Evil (vodka, coconut cream coffee liqueur, white chocolate, banana and cinnamon complete with monkey mug covering his ears) or the Keku Moku classic King Kilauea. To be shared between 4 people, this flaming bowl includes three types of rum, apricot liqueur and brandy amongst other things, and is a killer choice at £25.
If you need to let your hair down, if you’re feeling tense, overworked, underpaid or just simply bored by the nightlife in Manchester, then get yourself down to Keku Moku, you’ll be singing all the way home.