Cheshire

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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-683x1024.jpg" alt="Grace Oatway Treehouse Hotel" class="wp-image-3175" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/GRACE-OATWAYaaaa-BEVERAGE-MANAGER-2-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


Hip and playful <a href="https://www.treehousehotels.com/manchester">Treehouse Hotel Manchester</a> opened its bucolic doors in March, the second of the brand in the UK, and the critics haven&#8217;t stopped talking about it ever since. Bringing its signature sense of cool and escapism to the city, Treehouse feels happily unpretentious with much of the fun centred around all-day dining spot, <a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/whats-cooking-mary-ellen-mctague-of-pip-manchester/">Pip</a>, orchestrated by Mary-Ellen McTague with an almost theatrical buzz humming about the place. But there&#8217;s also real substance here, in a space that cooly combines style and sustainability. Even if you don&#8217;t bed down here, it&#8217;s absolutely worth the trip into town to hunker down at the bar for its exceptional cocktails. All made under the watchful gaze of Grace Oatway, the bars beverage manager. Here she reveals all&#8230;



Your first job in the drinks biz? I have worked in hospitality since I was 14, starting as a waitress at my local golf club. I got into the drinks biz at 19, working as a bar back — collecting glasses and prepping ingredients for the bar.



How would you sum up your drinks philosophy? Question everything. Why am I making this drink this way? Is there a better, more sustainable way of doing it?



Most memorable moment at work? Rather than one standout moment, my favourite part of my career is supporting and seeing other women thrive in the drinks industry.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3183" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Smoked-Nuts-by-Memphis-Medium-2-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


It’s a lock-in, which famous names are you propping up the bar with, and why? David Attenborough, Dolly Parton, and Bob Mortimer — they all have some stories to tell!



You’re celebrating — what are you ordering? Pét-Nat — a naturally sparkling French wine.



The best bar you’ve ever visited and why? Toca da Raposa — a tiny independent bar in Lisbon. They distil in-house, and their menu is an exploration of creativity and flavour through a playful lens. The venue is beautiful, and the service is spot on.



What’s on your boozy bucket list? Experiencing Beaujolais Nouveau day in France — the annual release of Beaujolais wine. It&#8217;s all about celebrating the fresh wine harvest, with community, music, and local food. Who wouldn’t want to be there?


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


What drink do you think people should appreciate, but don’t? 



Chardonnay has carried an unfair reputation since it was mass-produced 20 years ago, but there are so many delicious Chardos made in cooler climates now. I love &#8216;Painter of Light&#8217; by Black Book, a wine producer from London.



Most overrated drink and the better alternative? It&#8217;s got to be the mojito — it rarely comes balanced or particularly tasty, and it can be time-consuming to make well. Go for a Southside instead: Gin, citrus, and mint, served up. Delish.



Is there a region / country you&#8217;d love to explore more for its drinks? I’d love to do the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky — it’s my favourite spirit category, and there’s so much to learn and taste. Plus, everything tastes better in the sunshine.



Favourite thing to drink on holiday, and why? Fanta Lemon — nothing beats it on a hot day at the beach. And I’ll also always try the local wine anywhere I can. A favourite of mine for this is Hungary.



Favourite drinks gadget? Wine preservation systems. We use Le Verre de Vin, which keeps our wine fresh for weeks — helping us to reduce waste and preserve quality.



Favourite ingredient and why? Just like in cooking, a pinch of salt can make citrus and sweetness pop – add a few drops of 20% saline solution to shaken cocktails, and it will bring the drink to life.



Is there one tip on wine / drinks that you like to share with everyone? Less is more! Keep it simple and let the flavours shine through without overcomplicating a recipe.



Best hangover cure? &#8216;Zebra striping&#8217;: alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones. It usually prevents a hangover in the first place for me.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3187" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/04/Pip-Bar-snacks-and-cocktails-by-Memphis-Medium-2-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>

Drink me: Grace Oatway, Treehouse Hotel Manchester

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