A bold new bar is causing a stir in the Cheshire town of Knutsford
New Moon Company has been causing a stir across the north-west with its distinctive destination bars and pubs, from The Old Sessions House in Knutsford in Cheshire to The Old Blind School in Liverpool and Beef & Pudding in Manchester. Its latest venture is no exception – a boldly designed bar inspired by New York City, specialising in cocktails and small pizzas.
The Bronx Bar & Pizzetteria has burst onto the town centre in Knutsford, with interiors by DV8 Designs which has worked on several of the company’s other sites. The two-storey venue has a contemporary laid-back look with an American twist, taking inspiration from the edgy urban style of NYC’s less gentrified borough of the Bronx. “The interior has been installed to present a traditional New York ‘vibe’,” explains DV8 Designs’ managing director Lee Birchall. “Our aim was to create an intimate but vibrant destination that is starkly contrasted by industrial-style furnishings and a ‘down and gritty’ aesthetic.” They have made the most of the existing building’s raw materials, such as the exposed block and brickwork, complementing them with reclaimed timber boarding and metal-leg tables for an urban feel. Daring graphics feature phrases such as “Trust me, love me, f^ck me”.
The Bronx aims to be just as daring with its “killer” cocktail list of twisted classics and originals, priced around £7 to £8.50. Fun drinks include Foam Alone II – Trashed in New York, made with “big” apple vodka, white vermouth, champagne reduction, lime juice, honey water, and strawberry and elderflower foam plus dehydrated strawberry and popping candy.
An Englishman in New York combines Bulleit Rye whiskey with Sacred Rosehip Cup cordial, nutty amontillado sherry and dashes of absinthe and rhubarb bitters, stirred and served on the rocks. Another slow sipper is the premium Smoke and Mirrors, priced £11, made with Ron Zacapa rum, burnt raspberry caramel and orange and walnut bitters, smoked with apple wood.
Food is a long list of small pizzas, or pizzettas, priced at £5 each or £12 for three. The inventive toppings are fresh and unusual, from the White Swine with spicy ‘Nduja sausage, rosemary, ricotta and artichoke heart to the Bronx & Bury with smoked duck, black pudding and Vimto syrup. Dessert options include the Del Monte pizzetta topped with marmalade spread, Cointreau-doused satsuma and cinnamon sugar.
The Bronx is the eighth site for New Moon Company, headed by the award-winning team of chef Dave Mooney and Paul Newman. With The Old Sessions House continuing to be a popular destination for food, they felt there was room for something more drinks led in the area – or, as Dave puts it, “sh!t-hot cocktails and dead-small pizzas in a cool place your grandmother wouldn’t be seen dead at”.
The Bronx Bar & Pizzetteria, 21 Princess Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6BW
Tel: 01565 652442
www.bronxbar.co.uk
Behind the scenes
Design: DV8 Designs
Furniture: Carlick Contract Furniture
Tiled front bar: Rockett St George
Originally published in the March 2016 print edition of Bar magazine.
