The Temple (Temple of Convenience) — Restaurant in Manchester

A bar in an former underground Victorian era toilet makes The Temple a unique location. However, that’s pretty much all it has going for it!

The Temple is one of those places you have probably walked past 1,000s of times on Bridgewater St and either not known it was there or noticed the canopy at the top of the stairs but never investigated further.

I’ve been here a couple of times now and it is a small quirky venue, I doubt it holds more than 20-30 people. There are no windows so it gets quite dim and dark inside but that adds to atmosphere of the place. Although it’s looking a bit shabby nowadays and could really do with a refurbishment.

The beer selection is not great at all. They have one or two macro lagers on draft, no cask ale and a limited bottle selection which is primarily lagers again.

This place has so much potential to be a quality unique venue. I would suggest approaching the council to permanently close one side of the road, pave it and turn it into a one way street. Then add some outdoor seating and a canopy in order to attract more customers. That’s idea is a little far-fetched, however some basic touches would vastly improve the kerb appeal a splash of paint here and there, possibly a couple of skylights for some natural light. The toilets certainly need improving as they are a grubby and poorly maintained. Then improve the beer selection and they could be onto a winner.

Currently the place is a little lacklustre and will be one of those places you would visit once just to experience the quirky nature. Which is a real shame as this venue could become so...

Still a little dirty gem. A former Victorian toilet that doesn't smell as bad as you'd expect. Always interesting mix of of locals and tourists. Sunny day today so took me a while for my eyes to adjust to the distinct mood lighting (it's an underground Victorian loo so you wouldn't really expect windows would you). Cosy venue with a rock soundtrack (currently playing Pretty Vacant by the Sex Pistols). Interesting mix of beers from an American themed pale ale to tuborg via mahou and sommersby cider to the IPA I'm drinking from Outstanding Beers brewed locally in Salford. Not overly priced, but not cheap either. Would recommend as there is no where quite like it...

If you're walking along the streets in Manchester and you hear loud music all of a sudden seemingly coming from the ground somewhere then you're probably close to this place. You might miss it at first or wonder what the place is as it doesn't give much indication that's its a bar, especially without the canopy you see in the pictures.

When you actually pluck up the courage to go down into what used to be an old toilet, you'll be pleasantly surprised. It's not the warmest looking of places but looks cool and novel. Guy at the bar is friendly..ish and the music is loud. Great to discover and good for a place to drop a pint in before you hit the hard stuff or...