Goose Green in Altrincham used to be known as a bustling area, with a variety of delis, hairdressers and shops, but only Francs and the Faulkner’s offering anything in the way of entertainment. Now, it is all change, with an array of new wine and cocktail bars opening all the time. There’s one bar that still leads the way.

The Venue
Tucked away behind the main road running through the town centre in Altrincham is the quaint, idyllic cobbled courtyard that is Goose Green. This has always provided a retreat for shoppers looking for something a little different than the standard high street offerings. Now the same principles have extended into the evening with many bars providing something that nothing in the town centre can boast.

The House Wine Bar is part of the same building as its bistro restaurant, and sits behind small cobbled walls opposite the newer cocktail bars of The Green Room and Azzurre. It is a small bar with a charming atmosphere, good seated areas - smaller tables in the corners and higher tables towards the bar - and somewhat unconventionally in a bar this size, ample room for dancing. White walls and light wooden furniture also gives it the sense of a much bigger space than it actually is and on the busy weekend evenings enables it to feel much less crowded. The ample outside seating and gas heaters also provide much more seating all-year-round.

Live bands such as The California Burns and TD Smith play over the weekend and provide a good variety of classics and current hits, but the one thing that remains the same is the upbeat nature which literally leaves the place rocking.

The People
It caters for groups of people that have just finished a meal in the Bistro restaurant, and people looking for somewhere to start and finish the night, alike. Late-twenties, mid-thirties and upwards all enjoy the atmosphere together without any hassle ever occurring. Indeed, House is brave enough to operate without bouncers, which is unheard of for a venue with a licence until 1.30am in this area. The Goose Green location, the live music and the staff all enable this to happen, with other bars on the main street catering for a mixed and sometimes less well behaved crowd.

People in their early-to-mid twenties should not be put off by the fact it is a wine bar, as the staff are all from that demographic, so welcome you with open arms. If you have the right attitude and are up for a party, you will really enjoy this small but well formed bar. Dress code isn’t an issue, although the management will use their discretion to deter undesirables.

The Drink
The litmus test for any good wine bar is obviously the wine list and House does not disappoint. A vast array of reds, whites, rosés and Champagnes adorn the menu from all corners of the world. As expected the reds are made up from Australian, Italy, South American and, interestingly, Lebanon. The whites are from Spain, France, Australia and the USA to name but a few. This is simply a snapshot of what is available but the with their hand-picked choices and descriptions you can tell they know their grapes. Bottles start from around the £13 mark.

Many people come here come for the entertainment and the enjoyable atmosphere rather than the wine, so a good selection of beer is essential. House offers a comprehensive selection of Czech and Belgian bottled beers ranging from £3 to £4.50, and also has Becks on tap.

It is not simply the wine and the beer which are the attraction, there is an extremely good selection of spirits behind the bar and although it is not what the bar is famed for, the bar staff are always available to make the odd cocktail.

The Last Word
House provides an ideal getaway from other local high street options. Its quaint surroundings and outside area are real plus points, not only in summer but also on dry winter nights.

venue information venue map view manchester review user reviews (1)