Proof

I went to this bar with my boyfriend last night for an «American Thanksgiving» theme dinner. We were really impressed by the food, presentation, and service. My boyfriend eats meat, I don’t. They catered to both of us wonderfully.
The owner of the bar is charming and really personable. Having lived in Boston, LA, and Seattle I am really picky when it comes to good cocktails and I won’t waste my time on a place that doesn’t have good atmosphere — not because I’m snobby, but – let’s be honest – if we’re going to spend our hard earned money, it better be worth it, right?
I have to say, Proof is definitely worth it. I pursued the regular cocktail menu and immediately made it my mission to try everything on the menu. (not that night, obvs, I’m not THAT much of a lush!) We will undoubtedly be spending more time there. There is lots of variety, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and an intimate setting.
Also, as a tip– the place next door does a brunch on weekends! I’ve been desperate to find a good brunch in this city, so I’ll be reviewing that tomorrow :)
Kudos!

Proof is definitely one of my favourite bars in Chorlton. The cocktails are amazing and not too badly priced at £6.50. I had the pisco sour which was almost as good as the ones I had in Peru where the drink hails from. My husband had the sling berry sing which was also fab. A delicious mix of rum, berries and ginger beer. I also love this place because they offer table service even on a friday night. The bar itself is stylish but laid back. Great if you want to chat to friends over a few drinks. The proof of the pudding is definitely in the cocktails here.

The word ‘hidden gem’ was never so appropriate. Proof, so-​named perhaps because it’s living proof that you can host an actual working bar in such small circumstances. I thought I’d seen everything with Southport’s ‘Smallest Pub in the World’ and Chorlton’s ‘Smallest Gay Bar in the World’ (my nickname for Bar Braw, popular with lesbians of all sizes, not just tiny ones) but this takes the hobnob. As Kirsten said, Proof is a living room. A titchy one at that.
Lush, lush cocktails, and I don’t use that word in a Welsh accent lightly. ‘Lesh.’ Sounds like French milk. Back to the point, and rather like the infamous Socio in the Northern Quarter the happy chappies at Proof will make you a bespoke treat if you can’t for the life of you decide what to have and your spitting feathers friends have shaken you to within an inch of your consciousness. If you haven’t tried a Magingo then your tastebuds are obviously still asleep; this zingy little number will be their Pro Plus and they’ll be jumping for joy. Mango purée, limoncello, Bombay Sapphire, lemon and orange juice make this the perfect wake-​up call. And here’s one to remind us all of A Level Literature, Heart of Darkness with is a Cosmo reloaded with glorious summer fruits. Currant Affair? Oh ho ho, how droll. Fresh blackberries and blueberries accompany a criminal range of spirits and liqueurs including Sambucca (aaargh) and Amaretto (ooh, that’s better).
The aforementioned are served in Martini glasses, but if you’re more of an on the rocks kinda person there’s the likes of Kizmet, a kiwi, vanilla and apple delight over crushed ice, Drimble, which is pretty much a smoothie with a naughty twist, an inventive Cold Toddy to blow the cobwebs out and so on. Long drinks include an exotic rum take on the Singapore Sling, Pink Mist which is full of strawberry sweet slushy goodness offset with the tang of lemon, the sweet and tropical Rollergirl, and you’d step over your own grandmother for the delicious Prosecco cocktails. If you’re not up for anything ‘signature’ there are a TON of classics including my check box, the all-​important Caipirinha.
Proof’s owners, Jon and Andy, are only in their twenties and their bar was something of a gamble. However it’s become a great success and as city drinking becomes more tired and stressful, bars out in the ‘burbs are doing a roaring trade. It’s got a warm, welcoming atmosphere and doesn’t harbour the same pretension as many similar city-​based places would. There’s something friendly about Proof… it’s very much like going to a mate’s house for a few cheeky drinks. Long may the gamble pay off.

Going for a drink at proof feels a bit like going for a drink in a posh friend’s living room. In fact, I think my living room is marginally larger than proof.
The atmosphere is relaxed, but the mood lighting, table service and modern furniture make it feel a little smarter and more intimate than bars such as Dulcimer and the Bar. There is also an outdoor seating area, which is larger than that of the aforementioned bars, although the view of Co-​op Funerals on Manchester Road isn’t particularly spectacular.
I’ve only ever had beer here, which is a shame as their cocktails look amazing. I am particularly tempted by one of their signature drinks, magingo, which consists of mango purée, fresh lemon juice, Bombay Sapphire, limoncello and orange juice. For the less adventurous or more thrifty wine starts at £3.50 a glass. According to their facebook group they now have an offer on between 4 and 7pm on weekdays — buy 2 cocktails and receive a free plate of tapas-​style grub.
They occasionally host live music and ‘wine club’ nights, which I have never seen. I can’t quite imagine how they fit it all in! It’s definitely proof (geddit?) that size doesn’t always matter.

I think this is my favourite bar in Chorlton. Has a really good atmosphere at the weekens unlike many of the other bars in Chorlton. The bar staff really know what they are doing and make excellent reasonably priced cocktails (£5 last time I went) and they are the real deal. Not a fan of the house wine here but thats just personal taste. The best bar in Chorlton.

One of Chorlton’s two dedicated cocktail bars (the other being Argyles further up Barlow Moor Road), Proof sits at the end of a row of terraced shops near Chorlton Precinct.
It has a very dark and moody décor, black tables and chairs with orange lighting. Drink prices aren’t bad for a bar like this, pints and hi-​balls are at £3 each, while the cocktails themselves start at £5, which is cheaper than Pitcher & Piano and Bacchanalia to name two.
It’s pretty small and can get pretty cramped at the weekend when it’s busy. The bar area’s also quite small too, and if the barman is making a number of cocktails for people then you can be in for a bit of a wait. The music’s pretty good in there, though I did know the DJ so maybe I’m biased lol
Not a place to go for a quiet pint, but if you like your cocktails I’d give it a go

A great bar with a really nice atmosphere. Good music and reasonably priced beer. I will definately be going back here. A favourite amongst the Chorlton bars.