Cloud 23

Reviews

• Alex B.

  star star star star star_border 8 July 2026

  As I went to give this review a rating I wanted 3.5 so was nice and rounded to 4!
  
  Cloud 23 is a lovely little bar over looking the south/ south-west area of Manchester! Prime location on the 23rd floor hence the name. As you walk into the lobby we were greeted by a guy who takes your reservation details punch's they into his iPad and then calls you your own private lift up to the bar!! We arrived in the bar and were seated promptly. As a local Mancunian I could easily see all the sights I knew and the view was fab.  
  
  The drinks arrived and a few nibbles ( the satay popcorn is to die for ) but I can't give Cloud 23 5 stars because the cocktails were nice but they didn't possess that ultimate WOW factor! And priced between £9 and £15 I wanted a big wow. They can't rely on the view alone!
  
  Saying this they were not bad by any means but they didn't hit my immediate these are amazing button! But the service as is to be expected at that price was again fab! Enjoy!

• Maren B.

  star star star star star_border 7 July 2026

  So swanky!  It's not something I'd do often, but we happened to be in Manchester (for the first and quite possibly only time) so we came to have drinks one evening before dinner.  We were on the underdressed side in jeans and sweaters, although there weren't many people there so it probably didn't matter.  
  When we got to the hotel there was a sign by the elevator and a concierge stand.  We explained to the host that we just wanted drinks, and after radioing up to someone else, he sent us up on the elevator.  When we arrived at the top we were greeted by a hostess and ushered to our seats.  The drink menu is pretty tropical but very creative.  It's also pretty pricey, but the drinks are generously sized and strong, so they're worth it.
  Service was friendly and fast, and the decor was super chic; and of course the view was beautiful, especially at night.  Go at least once!

• Hannah M.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 4 July 2026

  Part of me wonders why I'm writing a review when James B did such a gorram good job (and also led me to research Ian Simpson and his jutty phallic tower, ha)
  
  To me, it kind of appears as what, perhaps a working class born and bred man believes to be opulent, rather than IS actually opulent, and the 'lacklustre' stilts below his mansion, it all makes sense now.
  Considering that in the month leading up to us spontaneously heading here for what we thought would be a total treat, I had eaten at Claridge's, and L'Atelier, I won't lie that all the hype around this place had me with pretty high expectations.
  We went up the lift pretty quickly, it wasn't a particularly bright afternoon, but it was clear, so we expected a good view. I was kind of confused by the carpet choice, which seems a ridiculous thing to say, but of you've seen it, you'll understand.
  It seemed like going to a place out of season, the windows were a bit grubby, and the chairs were heading towards tatty.
  We sat at the window, on the egotistical overhang, and having read the aforementioned review, the peasant patronising misogyny totally makes sense.
  We both went for afternoon tea, which, well, it was fine, but considering the other gargantuan, delightfully tasty offerings that there are elsewhere in manchester, it seemed a little steep then, even before the cake I've filled my face with since.
  Then, it came to the server, our waiter, well, he couldn't tie his tie properly, and had an accent that you just couldn't help but judge. He was kind of lechy and leery, whether a direct attempt to be charming and failing, or just his general air, there was definitely a relieved laugh as we left. He was just a little too attentive, and, I don't know, interrupted our conversations to tell us about himself and how high end the place is, if a place is high end, I don;t need to be convinced by a divorced (yes, he told us that) middle aged man touching our chair backs who can't tie a basic half windsor!
  Not surprised that the prime minister was there the week before, sneering at the north from the mid heights of the shiny glass member.
  We got a pretty good view of the fire behind the print works though... That shouldn't be a highlight, but I prefer my tea and cake without a side of battered faux leather, window smears, superiority and chauvinism, and also in larger portions...

• Marla V.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 2 July 2026

  Horrible staff too bad was really excited for this coming all the way from LA wish I could give negative stars literally servers don't even bother with attending their customers even with bottle service they could careless about your experience

• Angelo E.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 19 June 2026

  I was excited to come here since I enjoy having afternoon tea and the setting sounded AMAZING since it was in the tallest building in Manchester, but honestly the whole experience fell terribly flat!
  
  Negative point #1- The entrance: so this is a pretty glamorous concept, you take a lift to go all the way to the top of the hotel. I was excited about it at first, but after waiting for at least 20 minutes just to get up to the restaurant and barely missing my reservation because of the wait...this is a true negative. If you can't even get to the restaurant, because of the inefficient lift...how can I taste the food and enjoy the view?
  
  Negative point #2- Poor RSVP info: Our reservation was for the last call for tea and yet the server brought my friend and I to the bar area. We sat there for another 10 min and by the time a server came to us and we told her we were there for afternoon tea she gave us a puzzled look and said they didn't offer it anymore. There was a moment where I thought my friend and I had to throw down and be like "oh hell nah" but she quickly went back and spoke to the manager. I was going to get my tea no matter what and fortunately they gave us a table without anymore hassle.
  
  Negative point #3- the tea: I was super excited about this cause we ordered the champaign tea, and with the expensive price I had high expectations. The tea came with 3 different savoury sandwiches: one with a sundried tomato, prawn salad wrap, and something with chutney. The best one was the sundried tomato sandwich. The tomato was mixed in cream cheese and had a nice tangy but creamy flavour.
  
  The cakes were all a disappointment! It came with macaroons, mince pies ( due to it being Christmas), and 2 other none memorable cakes. Basically for the cost of £30+ for this... I expected the cakes to be a wonderful and amazing symphony in my mouth, but it turned out to be not memorable and a waste of calories. I'm highly critical not just because of the price but because I bake and I know it doesn't take too much effort to make good tasting cakes for not a lot of money... Just saying.
  
  You get one glass of champaign and unlimited orders of hot drinks- tea, hot chocolate basically.
  
  The service was slow and lazy. It took awhile to get our tea... Sat there for far too long and had nothing to eat or drink and we needed to keep flagging down a server just to get our drinks and tab.
  
  Overall this experience was blah and extremely disappointing. The amount of food, champaign, service and even the view does not justify the high cost of the afternoon tea. My suggestion... Avoid this place and go somewhere else for tea.