Now, I'm not one for the club scene, nor am I one for drinking, but the Fab cafe definately caught my full attention when my friends and I wanted a bit of grub near teatime.
My initial reaction on entering was "argh, I can't see anything" but then it soon turned into "argh, there's a weird ... Read review
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Advantages: Nostalgia, mixed crowd, relaxed atmosphere, lots to see, CHEAP! Disadvantages: A bit dark to begin with....!
...one for drinking, but the Fab cafe definately caught my full attention when my friends and I wanted a bit of grub near teatime.
My initial reaction on entering was "argh, I can't see anything" but then it soon turned into "argh, there's a weird monster thing stood next to me". Ha, it's alright, twas just a life size model of a scary monster thing. I got told what it was called, but the name has evaded me, but it's ... ...to have heard of the fab cafe already, or if not really should stand in the corner and think about what they have done - there's a DALEK! A nice big one in the corner on the left hand side as you enter! It's really cool! :D
Anyway, this place is covered from top to toe in all sorts of memorabilia from when I was little. Shows like "Button Moon" and "Rainbow" feature here, but it is definately dominated by a fair ... more
Now, I'm not one for the club scene, nor am I one for drinking, but the Fab cafe definately caught my full attention when my friends and I wanted a bit of grub near teatime.
My initial reaction on entering was "argh, I can't see anything" but then it soon turned into "argh, there's a weird monster thing stood next to me". Ha, it's alright, twas just a life size model of a scary monster thing. I got told what it was called, but the name has evaded me, but it's from Dr Who. Now, on the subject of Dr Who, any fan has got to have heard of the fab cafe already, or if not really should stand in the corner and think about what they have done - there's a DALEK! A nice big one in the corner on the left hand side as you enter! It's really cool! :D
Anyway, this place is covered from top to toe in all sorts of memorabilia from when I was little. Shows like "Button Moon" and "Rainbow" feature here, but it is definately dominated by a fair amount of sci-fi stuff. Dr Who is a definate all round presense here, featuring almost everywhere. There's Thunderbirds stuff, random spaceships on the ceiling, and every so often you stumble across one of them low quality, but big fun arcade games you used to spend so much time on!
Sitting on the comfy couch in the corner, I got a fair view of the entire place - after getting used to the dark, you can see that the lighting is very fitting to the mood of the place. Colourful yet minimal lighting combined with the good but controlled music is a perfect way for you to enjoy a quiet chat with your friends without getting a sore throat afterwards or getting neckstrain from craning over to listen to your buddy. It kinda reminds you of how you used to sit in your dimly lit but warm living room on a winter night watching really cool movies and programmes on tv.
On subject of tv, there are lots of films shown in little tv screens all around the cafe. They show really good films, like when I was there, it was X-men and one of the old James Bond films. All good stuff really. Special events or film marathons are listed in the Metro.
Right, I now proceed to the food. I have never seen a menu that can be compared to this here place. Fab cafe at teatime offers the best retro food I have ever thought of having, from tinned Macaroni Cheese to SPAM (yes really!), Smash to 'uge Yorkshire puds. You can choose three types of tinned foodstuffs for £2, you can get "things on toast" from £1.10, "things on waffles" from £1.40, and Big yorkshie puds are just that - BIG! For £1.80, it's like the cheapest and happiest meal you'll ever consume! :D They even have Vesta meals to choose from! To satisfy your sweet tooth, you can have a Fab or Zoom Lolly, ice cream with hundred and thousands on, or rice pudding with strawberry jam! Ahh. Drinks are at a reasonable price compared to the food - they have to profit from somewhere - but even so, it is still very cheap in comparison with other places in Manchester.
Now, the best bit of my visit was when the guy at the bar at which we ordered our food asked us for a pen to write down the order, then asked us how much it was. It was quietly but tidily non-professional in a very laid back way. Fantastic! And later on, when it was gone 7:30, we asked them whether we could order a a hot chocolate. The answer: "Erm, alright then". Brilliant! :D
The Fab Cafe is located on Portland street, on the side nearer to Oxford Road. It is about 5 minutes walk from St Peter's Square, which is the nearest Metrolink stop. Students have a good deal since buses going up and down Oxford Road give good access to this cafe/bar, but the rest of the world can take a small walk from Piccadilly Gardens where all the other buses end up. It'll only take about 10 minutes.
Anyway, I took a few photos whilst I was there. It's only my first time ever there, but it has made a lasting impression on me, and I am definately gonna visit again, even if it's just for the smash.....hmmm...smash....! :D
Advantages: cheap, good films showm free Disadvantages: very dark
The Fab Cafe is a basement level bar on Portland street. It is decorated with memorabelia from old TV shows. The place seems very dingy and dark the fisrt time you go in, but on closer inspection, the walls are crammed full of great pictures and posters. One of the only venues where you can enjoy yourself looking at the walls!
However, there is more than wallgazing to be done here, namely drinking. Drinks are very cheap, so it makes it a good preclub ...
cath123 20.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fab Café
Advantages: Cheap, good food, great company Disadvantages: Can get a bad mix of people
After reading another review of Fabcafe, I thought the oppinion of one of the "weirdos" should have their say.
The cafe is located on Portland Street in Central Manchester and 5 minutes away from the bus station in Picadilly Gardens. The big sign outside gives it's location away, as do the big silver retro doors and the kitsch 60's themes blasting out.
Depending on when you go depends on the kind of night. My personal favourite would always be on a Sunday when they play a cult movie on all the tv screens and it is open usually until about 12. It's great to go in about 7, then sample their bizarre cuisine. If you were born in the 60's, you'd be at home with the Vesta meals, but Yorkshire pud, mash, sausages and gravy goes down great with a pint! You can top that off with rice pudding and jam, or a fab ice lolly. To get this would ...
Helenrnichols 15.04.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Fab Café
The Novotel Is in a great area litteraly one block from times square. the lobby is nice as is the bar area. rooms are spacious, clean, tidy and bathroom is also nice. The room has all the necessary amineties. The only fault with the hotel is that when someone across the hall from us ordered room service the tray stayed there for 2 days. We stayed here for 5 nights and thought the location was amazing, staff could have smiled though! The breakfast seemed like a waste of money as when you walk out the hotel and turn right there is a fabcafe that does amazing cheap breakfasts! All the sightsare easy to get to with great subway service. To eat dinner I recommend Ruth Chris for an amazing (yet expensive) steak meal. The hard rock in Times square is also fab. Dont forget all your money for the amazing shops, 5th Ave, Macys, Bloomingdales ...
Advantages: great facilities, good location Disadvantages: food & drink can be expensive
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There are several eating options:
Tuscany - an excellent Italian - pizzas are fab as are the rolls.
Sirj Tea Lounge - a cafe in the lobby with excellent sandwiches (open roast beef & horseradish sandwich with fries is particularly good.)
Mokha Cafe - this is where breakfast is served as well as Friday brunch and has a good mixture of middle eastern and international cuisine.
Marjan Poolside Restaurant & Bar: South Eastern inspired dishes, serves dinner in season and also serves light lunches and fab cocktails.
Rooftop Grill House - this is an excellent restaurant although you should wear very cool clothes as it can get very warm and humid at night. All kinds of meats and seafoods can be grilled to your taset with a huge salad bar and potato options. Great meal and the Omani prawns are spectacular.
Ther is also the John Barry Bar ...
