Cheshire

<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/28/2025/05/unnamed-1-683x1024.jpg" alt="Drink me: Roman Velisek at The Cut &amp; Craft Manchester" class="wp-image-3673" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/unnamed-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/unnamed-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/unnamed-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/unnamed-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/unnamed-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/unnamed-1.jpg 1414w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


<p>There&#8217;s almost an olde world glamour to this new offshoot that&#8217;s currently plastered all over socials. With glittering outposts in both Leeds and York, <a href="https://www.thecutandcraft.co.uk/manchester/">The Cut &amp; Craft</a> has finally arrived in Manchester, transforming a former bank into a razzle dazzle dining room &#8211; an all-out nod to decadence and excess. And it&#8217;s already making its mark on the city, drawing sharply dressed diners inside for bottomless Champagne brunches, superb steaks and mounds of seafood. And central to the shamelessly opulent space is the bar, where expertly concocted classic cocktails are served with a side of theatre, all overseen by bar manager, Roman Velisek. Here he reveals all&#8230; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-first-job-in-the-drinks-biz-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>Your first job in the drinks biz?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>My hospitality career really took off when I took the huge leap, moving from Czech Republic to Manchester in 2013 and I moved up the ladder from kitchen porter to bar manager &#8211; which is absolutely where my passion lies. The definition of a bartender takes a completely different focus here than back home in Czech. There it was all about just making a drink and that was it, but here, bartenders are part artist, part therapist, and part entertainer. Whether making a classic Old Fashioned or improvising something new, a good bartender makes you feel welcome, seen, they should remember your favourite cocktail, lend an ear when you’ve had a rough day, and keep the vibe alive with a good story or a quick joke. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-would-you-sum-up-your-drinks-philosophy-nbsp"><strong>How would you sum up your drinks philosophy?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>My drinks philosophy? Honestly, it always starts and ends with a Negroni.&nbsp;It’s simple, bold, elegant and doesn&#8217;t mess around. I’m all about well-balanced drinks with a punch.&nbsp;Bitter, sweet, strong… all in one glass. I’m up for trying new techniques and styles,&nbsp;however I always come back to&nbsp;classics or twists on classics. These are the drinks that feel right no matter the occasion.&nbsp;</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3985-Enhanced-NR-1024x560.jpg" alt="The Cut and Craft Manchester " class="wp-image-3678" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3985-Enhanced-NR-1024x560.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3985-Enhanced-NR-300x164.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3985-Enhanced-NR-768x420.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3985-Enhanced-NR-1536x839.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3985-Enhanced-NR-2048x1119.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-memorable-moment-at-work-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>Most memorable moment at work?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I have been lucky enough to serve and meet people like Jimmy Carr, Frank Lampard and Miley Cyrus (to name a few)&#8230; You just wouldn&#8217;t imagine people like this coming through the front door of your workplace but you never quite know who&#8217;s going to appear!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-a-lock-in-which-famous-names-are-you-propping-up-the-bar-with-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>It’s a lock in, which famous names are you propping up the bar with?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Oh this one is too easy and a no brainer. If I could choose anyone, and I mean anyone, then my list would be:</p>



<p>1. Robin Williams. Pure soul and brilliance. He’d light up the room in seconds &#8211; one moment he’s doing impressions, the next he’s breaking your heart with something beautiful. No one would leave a night like that without a proper laugh.</p>



<p>2. Jeremy Clarkson: The wildcard. Loud, opinionated, gloriously inappropriate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>3. Ricky Gervais: Sarcasm weaponised. Instantly starts roasting&nbsp;<em>everyone</em>, including himself.</p>



<p>5. Jim Carrey: Full shapeshifter mode. One minute he’s impersonating Stanley Tucci shaking a Negroni (just to make me angry), the next he&#8217;s doing a monologue between Elon Musk&nbsp;<em>and</em>&nbsp;Jeremy Clarkson at the same time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-celebrating-what-are-you-ordering-nbsp"><strong>You’re celebrating, what are you ordering?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If it was for food then I would go most likely for a medium-rare ribeye steak with truffle fries or mashed potatoes and chimichurri sauce.&nbsp;Drinks wise,&nbsp;I would go for a nice pint of cold lager. Or end up&nbsp;with a Negroni in hand.&nbsp;</p>


<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/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602-683x1024.jpg" alt="Cocktail at The Cut and Craft Manchester" class="wp-image-3680" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7602.jpg 1414w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-bar-you-ve-ever-visited"><strong>The best bar you’ve ever visited?</strong> </h2>



<p>American Bar at The Savoy in London. Great drinks and an amazing atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-your-boozy-bucket-list"><strong>What’s on your boozy bucket list? </strong></h2>



<p>Okay, I am going to step away from Negronis for a minute and pay attention to another favourite and that is tequila. So it would definitely be to visit one of the distilleries in Mexico, ideally in the &#8216;Tequila Valley&#8217; itself.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-drink-do-you-think-people-should-appreciate-but-don-t"><strong>What drink do you think people should appreciate, but don’t?</strong> </h2>



<p>Classic cocktails. Classics have been around for a long time and for good reason. Classic cocktails set the baseline for any new cocktail creations/ twists and further cocktail development.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-overrated-drink"><strong>Most overrated drink? </strong></h2>



<p>Mai Tai (when it is the Neon version). The real Mai Tai is amazing. The average version is a glowing, pineapple-heavy sugar bomb that makes tiki gods cry.&nbsp;So many bars butcher this one with sour mix and grenadine. Always ask for &#8216;Trader Vics&#8217; recipe for Mai Tai. It’s actually a spirit-forward, elegant tiki cocktail<em>.</em>&nbsp;Strong and smooth. Not a sugar bomb. Not neon. Not fruity overload. Simply Jamaican aged rum, lime, orgeat, orange curacao (NOT BLUE, please) and a little bit of simple syrup. Perfection!</p>


<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/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731-683x1024.jpg" alt="Cocktail at The Cut &amp; Craft Manchester" class="wp-image-3682" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/New-Drinks-Menu-7731.jpg 1414w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-thing-to-drink-on-holiday"><strong>Favourite thing to drink on holiday</strong>?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;ll go with a caipirinha this time. It&#8217;s fresh and has a nice kick to it.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-drinks-gadget-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>Favourite drinks gadget?&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I will go with what I believe to be the most popular amongst bartender&#8217;s hand extension: a BarBlade, or to put it plainly, the coolest bottle opener ever made.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-ingredient"><strong>Favourite ingredient</strong>?</h2>



<p>Angostura Bitters &#8211; it brings out depth and flavours in many cocktails.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-one-tip-on-drinks-you-d-like-to-share"><strong>What&#8217;s the one tip on drinks you&#8217;d like to share?</strong> </h2>



<p>Anywhere you go, trust your bartender. They spend most of their time behind that bar and most of them, even when they are not there, are constantly thinking about different ways to make cocktails and drinks. If you are unsure, ask them and trust them. That goes for cocktails, wines and spirits.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-hangover-cure-nbsp"><strong>Best hangover cure?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A bacon sandwich will do me just fine.</p>


<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/28/2025/05/486A3785-683x1024.jpg" alt="The Cut &amp; Craft Manchester" class="wp-image-3684" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3785-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3785-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3785-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3785-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3785-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/05/486A3785-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>

Drink me: Roman Velisek at The Cut & Craft Manchester

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