I can't believe all the moaning reviews - having just moved up from London, you'd pay double (or more) for a similar view there. Six pounds for a cocktail - is that really so bad? If it's too much, you can have a cup of tea for a third of the price.
Been once, view was stunning, staff were friendly and the service was great. Stop moaning, go somewhere else.

The review left by Anon....funny how most the good reviews are clearly left by members of staff, I haven't seen Wayne Rooney in there recently....VIP, you don't know what the word means, you pretentious ass....GET A REAL JOB !

I am looking to come here for my birthday celebration please tell me when it opens!

I was one of the 'lucky ones' who got to attend the opening of Cloud 23! It's a great looking place and one that I will definately be going back to, due in no small part to the breathtaking views and the great service (as long as they can keep it up).

I went to Cloud 23 on Saturday with my wife and two friends, the positives, fantastic view, all seating with waiter/waitres service, not expensive, cocktails ?7.50 bottled beers ?3.75 - ?4.00. Great place to relax and chat rather than crowded shouting arena's. Only downside, one lift, so its eight at a time and once all the tables are taken its a one out one in basis. We were told it would be a two hour wait, most of the queue left and we were in in 45 minutes. Oh and some bar snacks wouldn't go amiss!

Went midweek and had to queue for three quarters of an hour. When we finally got in half of the place was completely empty and roped off, the other half was not full by any means - with loads of free seats. Felt like the queuing was just a PR stunt, with the bouncer just letting people in when he felt like it. Not a good PR stunt, though - since you felt miffed once you got in to find the place half empty.

i recall the saying 'couldn't organise a p*ss up in a brewery' well.. we waited ages to order our drinks, we waited 40 mins for our drinks just for someone to apologise for screwing up our order, the barmaid saying 'sorry, it wasn't your fault' then we couldn't get out of there quick enough because no-one brought the bill!
I can't believe that anyone could take such amazing potential and destroy any possibility of a good night out!

Provided this place actually realises what it entails to become a bar, i dont think its really going to get much custom apart from famous people like Wayne Rooney who can beat or force the staff to do the work PROPERLY!

I'm planning to have a pre-dinner drink (or 2) up here, the week after next. I won't be doing any waiting for a table, I just can't be bothered with all that. It will be a mid-week, so I'm sure it will be fine. I'm a bit miffed that they don't to draught beers (CALL YOURSELF A BAR?).

went to cloud 23 this saturday night, my friend had made a booking ( common sense) and so we bypassed the queue were efficiently and graciously directed into elevator and up to the bar.....I was positively blown away by the awesome view, the sleek, laid back yet stimulating atmosphere, I felt i could be in Tokyo or Manhatten, I was served immediately and consequently brilliantly looked after all night.Never have i encountered such a deliciously exotic and interesting array of cocktail ingredients....the names of which make a tributary nod to all things " manchester" all in all, I had a thoroughly inspiring and stimulating bar experience and i left feeling excited and proud that my town had been honoured with such a brilliantly and lovingly designed sky bar... I LOVED IT

Very disappointing. We got here early on Friday night. There were only 6 people in front of us yet we still had to queue up for 10 minutes outside the building before being let in and queuing for another 15 minutes on the 'red carpet'outside the lift.
When we finally got up to the 23rd floor, we were allocated to a 'standing' table. It took 10 minutes before someone came and took our drinks order and another 15 minutes for the drinks to arrive. When we were finally seated, the chairs were uncomfortable and the service remained terrible. To top it off, we couldn't pay the bill at the table because the payment console did not have reception on that side of the bar.
Because of the table service only policy, the place has no atmosphere.
Not what you expect when you're paying a premium.
Stick to Pannacea or Cocoa Rooms.

the decor is really stylish, and you get waitress service at your table, there is even a glass floor so you can see 23 floors down.

the view of manchester is amazing and you can see for miles, we even sat next to tina obrien (sarah lou) from coronation street., so we had people coming over near us pretending to look at the glass floor but really they were trying to get a look at her.

the only downfall is the price. its 4 pound for a beer, and 7.50 for a spirit and a mixer, we ended up paying 22 quid for a bottle of ROSE, of course if you are famous, apparantly you dont have to pay, and our waitress went over to tina and her mate and said its on the house, compliments of the hilton

HOW RUDE IS THAT

Attended the Cloud 23 bar on Saturday night as residents - even residents have to queue, albeit not as long as normal punters. Eventually got to the bar 20mins later and to my surprise found empty tables over most of the floor. Thinking to myself it must get better - only to be disappointed by the waiter service - 15mins to find 'your host waiter' (who doesn't even know what Amaretto is,cocktails my arse) and then another 25mins for the drinks to turn up. As expected the views were AMAZING, but i'm afraid the whole evening hinges on service and on this the bar will be judged.

35mins to get in. when got half empty . was not happy view great . staf bad. ushers not good messing people about.

I went last Saturday. I arrived at 5pm and had to wait outside for half an hour even though the bar had just opened. I then had to wait at the elevator for 15 minutes. Once I finally arrived at the 23rd floor and dying for a drink (never had to wait this long for a drink) I was told that it was standing room only so could I wait(again). I then watched to see that 2 groups behind me were sat down at empty tables. I finally got a drink after 25 minutes of arriving at the 23rd floor. So over an hour to get a drink, not bad for a pretentious bar in Manchester. I won't rush back!

Very nice bar, drink prices are what you would expect for a bar of this calibre. Service is slow, so don't expect to get drunk too quick. Worth it for the view - especially in the gents bogs, which Liverpool fans would love as it looks like your peeing all over Manchester!

Thinking about trying it out this weekend. I have heard they charge ?20 just to get in - is this true???

I've been and its free to get in. I like the fact its not jam packed. there's loads of room, you just feel nice and relaxed. lovely.

Went there last night (1st November). Read all these reviews about taking ages to get in. Not in this case as I was in and had a mojito in my hand within 10 minutes of being at the hotel front door. Not quite as good decor as I would have expected for a bar with such potential and being owned by the Hilton group.

Have been to a bar named Skyline in Riga - Latvia which is the same sort of thing with a 21st floor bar above a hotel but they have done a much better job of making the bar look classy and comfortable.

Service was ok but could have been a lot better, saw a lot of rushing around between staff and a lack organisation was evident. Nice to drink in bar that has no smoking and isn't rammed with people but once everyone has been up there and had a look at the view I don't think there will be many repeat customers. Mojito was ?7.50 which was reasonable since they are probably being kicked in the arse in rent for the place.

Would recommend going just for a look at the view but other than that, there's nothing to distinguish itself which is a bit disappointing.

We visited Cloud 23 twice last Friday - and the first drinks I bought were by going straight to the bar - after that staff were attentive and kept checking to see of we wanted to order more.

The queuing may well be a PR stunt as on the 2nd visit it was quieter - but the sheer style of the place, good service, very good champagne and OK prices means that even popping up for a peroni at under ?4 is actually quite cool and definitely relaxed.

Thinking of taking a few mates for pre-drinks on my birthday, they are from out of town so would be ideal. What sort of dress code are we looking at?

Went to the launch party on Tuesday night, I have to say I had my reservations as Cloud 23 being another overly pretentious new bar, how wrong I was. Although it was the launch I was very impressed with the quality and quantity of free beverages on offer! I must've drank at least two bottles of champagne and countless whisky sours! The decor is perfect inside, quite simple but it works extremely well. The view really is breathtaking and although the drinks are on the dearer side, you can clearly see why. All I can say is, bye bye Harvey Nicks! lol

Definitely recommend Cloud 23 for late afternoon drinks!

It was the perfect setting for Alex Fergusons 20th anniversary, wonderful.

naff bar in my opinion. Stupidly expensive drinks, lack of atmosphere. The worst bit is that you can't approach the bar you have to get a waitress to serve you which takes time.

The sky bar in the Guinness factory in Dublin is much better. Its busy, great atmosphere, all types of people in there and reasonably priced drinks (including pints).

My advise go to cloud 23 for the views and then get out before buying a drink. Glad I went but won't go back too soon.

It's a shame such a great location but the bar's sadly lacking - not what Manchester's all about.

The bar is fantastic, the concierge staff are brilliant for taxi's and the like. Fantastic view, just some minor teething problems and long queue's due to immense popularity and not too much space due to a maximum number of people allowed up for safety! how thoughtful

just reading more reviews since I sent my "comments" I so wish u could reply to all them moaning customers "Rome was not built in a day " god help u and GOOD LUCK it will all work out .... Shay kelly How dare they knock my FAV building in the world

- had to queue just to get in to the lift - was stopped by an arsey girl who informed us that it was residents only and they were too full
- informed the stupid cow that we had some residents in our party and we had just been to a function at the restaurant
- made to wait 15 mins to get in the lift
- overtaken in the queue by overdressed Trollope's, who had apparently 'booked a table'
- finally get into the lift - go up to 23rd floor
- realise that the bar is actually empty, hence not sure why we had to queue
- look at view - very nice, lots of lights
- stood at bar
- stood at bar
- stood at bar
- stood at bar (15 mins go by)
- ask the stupid barman in front of me why there were 10 'barmen' milling around behind the bar, yet no-one was getting served
- received the response that they were all getting drinks for the 'tables' - what a tw*t
- enquired as to whether any of the assorted muppets were actually serving at the bar
- was informed that the stupid Aussie tw*t doing bad Tom Cruise in Cocktail impressions was the only one 'serving' at the bar
- watched as this stupid w*nker proceeded to take 10 mins to make one ridiculously overpriced cocktail for overdressed trollope
- decided that as they only sell ridiculously overpriced cocktails and a pathetic selection of bottled beers, we would chop it and go back to the free bar downstairs
- look at view - very nice, few more lights spotted
- stand at lift - even though it only has two people in it am informed that we 'have to wait', by po-faced Neanderthal with bad BO issues
- enquire as to why we have to wait when there are only two people in the lift
- am informed by aforementioned neanderthal that there is 'no room' in the lift
- wait for further 5 mins
- finally get in the lift
- reach ground floor again - laugh at all the idiots queuing up to get into an empty bar where they won't get served

As per all the other comments - long wait downstairs, long wait to get drinks and stung at the cost. Go once to say you've been, then move on.

ok, BOB. your obviously use to going to places such as weatherspoons etc, so just stick to those places where your welcome. As for people that have gone to the bar and enjoyed it, then that's great because it is a special, exclusive bar. What I don't understand is.... if you go to living room on a sat night your waiting 15 min etc for a drink, your having to STAND and WAIT. so why cant people realise that we offer a waitress service so customers can walk around and enjoy the view, whilst we make the drinks? you don't realise what goes into bar work if you haven't actually done it.... making six cocktails to go to one table wont be done in 5 min, it takes time, and we want the cocktails to be perfect and consistent. so if waiting whilst your SAT down taking in the views is a long wait then go to a crap bar where you can stand and push your way to the bar and eventually get served. ANOTHER thing is that people do NOT realise is that we are a new bar, and any new bar takes time to get right, and have a system that is perfect. The prices are very reasonable, ?3.50 -?4.00 a beer, ?8 -?10 for a cocktail, which you wont be able to get anywhere else in Manchester as there Cloud 23 specials. where else in Manchester would you be able to buy a GLASS of dom perignon?. The bar is a vip bar. people forget that.

I was there Nov 16th. Great view. Only complaint was that there were groups of people mulling around just coming up to the 23rd floor for the view.

There were one group that did not buy a drink between them, skin flints, they even had a bodyguard with them who stood by the bar, stood by the bar, stood by the bar.

I mean if you can't be bothered waiting 15 minutes by the bar then don't wait for 45 minutes in the downstairs queue.

If you cant get in then why not try the German market where they also do a great German Sausage.

We went for a meal at the Hilton the other Saturday. Once we had finished the meal we were told by the bouncers that there was about 1 hours waiting time and the queue was massive so we didn't bother. After reading most of the write ups it sounds quite good and worth a try (bit bored of the usual Panacea etc. Q) What kind of music does it play?