The Strangled Cat Hanley — Restaurant in Stoke-on-Trent

This was such a disappointing experience for us and a complete catalogue of issues throughout the evening.

When we arrived we were served quite quick which was good. Ordered drinks 6 x jammy dodger shots in the treasure chest basket, an espresso martini and a Zombie cocktail.

Server came over with the treasure chest shots of jammy dodgers and explained they had no smoke. We opened the chest and it was 6 tiny shots of cocktail that spilled out into the chest and no smoke. The £15 price tag for this was outrageous. They tasted okay but weren't wowing.

Next issue food - ordered 6 x mini plates, garlic mushrooms (told sorry we have run out of mushrooms), ordered prawn skewers (told sorry we have no prawns). The mac and cheese stated it had bacon bits on it, as a veggie I asked if I could have no bacon bits on mine if possible. The server said we've changed the menu it doesn't have bacon bits on it anyway so I thought great and ordered that. Mac and cheese came out with what looked like bacon bits on top, I asked the server if she would check if this was bacon, she didn't know and ran to ask the chef. Turned out they were vegan bacon bits so this was fine but again not a great experience. Halloumi fries were fine, mac and cheese was fine albeit a bit claggy, humous and bread fine but nothing special, katsu chicken that my friend had on the other hand was awful. She took 1 bite and said something felt off and couldn't eat it.

The food just felt like re heated freezer stuff that had some pretty flowers and greenery topped on it. But at £17 for 3 small plates is not ideal.

Still waiting for our cocktails we ordered when we arrived, we asked if were these were nearly ready - clearly they had been forgotten about and came out after 30 minutes. Cocktails however were very good and that's why I've given Bloom 2 stars instead of 1.

Then the bill, I had to walk around to the bar and ask for the bill as nobody came to check if we wanted anymore drinks etc. The bill was completely wrong and had 2 cocktails on there that we didn't order, and 3 for £17 plates hadn't been added correctly either. Twice the bill had to be correct and there was an overage of about £30.

All in all we paid £69 for food that was partially inedible, 6 small shots of a cocktail that overspilled into the chest that had none of the aesthetics it was supposed to have, 2 cocktails which were good and very slow/non existent service.

Date of our visit was Friday 1st March - I had booked for the 2 of us so booking can be found if anyone does read this review at Bloom.

We were so looking forward to having a girly night as we are both working mums who hadn't been out for ages. We were left really disappointed, no apology, no gesture of goodwill offered for all of the mistakes made.

In hindsight I should have said something at the time but I didn't want to spoil our evening further, and it really did feel like the staff weren't bothered as they knew about the mistakes.

We ended up in wetherspoons afterwards which managed to salave our night......

Bloom Cocktail Bar (Hanley) Review

Bloom Cocktail Bar in Hanley is a stylish, upscale spot that has quickly made a name for itself in the local nightlife scene. Located in the heart of Hanley, it offers a chic, botanical-themed ambiance that feels fresh and inviting, perfect for date nights or a night out with friends. The lush floral décor and cozy seating make it feel like an oasis in the city center, giving it a unique and trendy vibe.

Cocktail Selection: One of Bloom's biggest draws is its extensive and creative cocktail menu. They offer a wide range of both classic and signature cocktails, all beautifully presented with attention to detail. Drinks are crafted with high-quality spirits and fresh ingredients, making every cocktail not just a drink but an experience. The bar staff are knowledgeable and passionate, and they’re happy to recommend drinks based on your preferences.

Standout cocktails include the Bloom Signature, which perfectly balances fruity and floral notes, and their twists on classics like the Lavender Gin Sour or the Elderflower Martini, which add a fresh take to familiar drinks. Prices are on par with other premium cocktail bars, making the experience feel worth it for the quality and atmosphere.

Atmosphere: The bar’s botanical theme is complemented by a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. The dim lighting and floral accents create a serene environment that feels more sophisticated than some of the louder, busier venues nearby. Bloom often plays chilled music that enhances the laid-back yet refined setting. It’s the kind of place where you can have a conversation without shouting, which is a refreshing change from typical bars.

Service: The staff at Bloom are friendly and attentive, offering excellent customer service. They go out of their way to ensure that guests feel welcomed and are quick to offer drink suggestions or explain the menu in detail. Service can be a little slow during peak times, but the overall experience remains positive, and the bartenders' skill and artistry are worth the wait.

Conclusion: Bloom Cocktail Bar is a fantastic addition to Hanley’s nightlife. With its creative cocktails, lush décor, and relaxed yet chic atmosphere, it offers a refreshing alternative to the typical bar scene. Whether you're looking for a sophisticated night out or just want to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in a beautiful setting, Bloom delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended for anyone in the area looking for an elevated drinking experience. I can't comment on the food as we...

We visited on 31st Jan with customers and ordered 2 tapas starters and a main meal each.

The pork belly was not crispy and cold in places, as was the Katsu chicken, it seemed like all the starters we preprepared and reheated badly. The other starters, prawns, hummus tasted out of a jar so there wasn't much to go wrong.

It then got worse, the mains were brought to the table, the sirloin steak, had a white tinge to it, looking like it had been boiled not seared and tasted awful

One of the hanging chicken kebabs was raw in the centre and had to go back to the kitchen. Both of the kebabs, now cooked, it looked like the chicken had been cooked and then a sauce poured over them so the sauce wasn't cooked. I would expect a kebab to have been cooked on a grill given a sear / char to the meat, yet it tasted like it have been cooked in a microwave (maybe that's also how they cooked the steak). They didn't taste good, leaving an almost raw garlic after taste in your mouth.

Finally, the vegan burger looked again like it had been reheated badly and tasted uncooked.

The meal seemed it had been prepared by someone that had no cooking skills or equipment that didn't work correctly.

I was offered a free beer and one of the mains half price, I didn't really complain as I was so embarrassed in front of my customers that I didn't want to make a fuss.

Since leaving the restaurant I have left messages for the owner to call me to discuss these issues as I feel it was such a bad experience that they needed to be aware of it - no one has returned my call.

We chose this restaurant based on the positive reviews and I am just amazed reading them that we could have had such a bad experience.

But that isn't the worst of it, the fact that I have made the effort to share this with the owner and they haven't deemed it important enough to call me is incredible.

I hope it is a one off, but without hearing and accepting feedback, I suspect it will not...