Bar Centro

I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Centro, it being my favourite drinking establishment when I was 17. My love for Centro back then didn’t (just) stem from the fact I was a pretentious teenager, oh no no. I loved it because it served up massive pints of Hoegarden for the low low price of £2 — and lord knows I’ll always be a fan of reasonably priced ale.
Ten years on and whilst the price of Hoegarden may have gone up in Centro (DAMN YOU INFLATION!), for me at least, it’s lost none of its charm. It’s stylish, it has a great downstairs area (with some seriously comfy sofas), serves up some great beer and always has a cracking atmosphere.
If beer’s not your thing, they also serve some seriously tasty coffee and cake combos, which is just the thing if you’re looking to rest your liver and watch the world go by.
Centro always has a real buzz about it whenever I’ve been in there, despite it being hidden away on one of the Northern Quarter’s less salubrious side streets. It also plays host to some great DJs who are guaranteed to provide the perfect soundtrack to accompany your beverage.
The Northern Quarter might change, but it’s nice to see Centro still going strong in the face of some rather mighty competition. It’s a really great little bar.

I’ve been taken here randomly a few times whilst heading up the Northern Quarter and every time it hits the magic. I simply am sold by its name, Bar Centro, sounds like I could be in France or some European jaunt, I like the European touch now and again.
I seem to forget about it though, other bars such as Common or Odd seem to be top of the list. I don’t know why though because Bar Centro is really cool, the vibe that instantly hits you as you rise the stairs and step into the place. The bar is upstairs and when it’s busy you have to contend with seats and bodies. Head on downstairs to perhaps find a seat if the big groups aren’t occupying. Not to worry, you find many of Bar Centro’s custom just dotted around, standing up to even be in the place? My impression anyway. It does one of my fave Leffes and there is a happy hour up and til 9. Definitely worth a trip to mix it up from the populars along the cross roads of Thomas Street where Odd and Trof are.

Saturday night in the Northern Quarter can be a nightmare. Heaving with people and not a seat in sight, often is the problem that you’re out and about, killing time before you head to a club with nowhere to get a drink. This is when Centro comes out to shine. Tucked away just behind Matt and Phred’s, Centro offers a welcome perch and pint even at the busiest of times.
Don’t be put off by the quiet bar, this is more to do with location than the bar itself. Centro is a great place to get a drink any night of the week with a good selection of beers and ciders on tap as well as some more exotic favourites in the fridge. The upstairs bar has some comfy sofas whilst downstairs boasts a DJ booth and some quirky artwork.
The major drawback of Centro is that they only accept cash, but for a quick stopping off place between the pub and the club, this might be more of a blessing than a curse.

Bar Centro is a place that I know is there, but never plan on going there. I think I kind of forget about it, which is why we only end up there when we’re passing by. I guess that kind of sums it up. It’s nice, don’t get me wrong, but totally forgettable.
It’s spacious, and decorated in that NQ-​dinge kind of way. You know, dark paint, scuffed wooden floor, red tones around the place. And decoratively dishevelled NQ-​types. That’s right, kids, Centro is a go-​to place for the NQ crowd, and you’ll find a lot of stylish peeps in here. The music is good, last time I was here they didn’t havem a DJ on, so someone had popped Thom Yorke’s solo album on. Hardly the cheeriest, but it beats the chart crap you’d hear in, say, Norwegian Blue (having said that, it is always nice to see drunk 40 year old women doing the Single Ladies dance. But I digress…)
The downstairs bit is cosier, and intimate, with group-​friendly seating, while upstairs wisely has a lot of standing room. Downstairs feels like the kinda place you might meet a secret lover for a clandestine rendez vous. Or it would, if Centro wasn’t so packed and the window didn’t look in on the downstairs from the pavement.
Drinks-​wise, it’s a good bar, it serves all the stuff you’d expect, and has Frulii on tap, which impressed the boyf, who drinks it because «it’s practically a smoothie, it’s one of my 5 a day!» and has Tanqueray, which always gains kudos from me.
A nice watering hole for a relaxing drink with mates, just make sure to arrive no longer than 10, or you’ll find yourself standing around, envying those at tables.

Don’t fancy the neo-​flatcap worthiness of cord? Feel awkward with the dolled up crowd in odd? Why bother when centro’s far nicer and you don’t have to queue. Good beers and a kick ass dj downstairs.

At the heart of the Northern Quarter, this bar has been here for years. Spread out over two floors, this friendly venue provides a relaxed atmosphere and the staff are efficient and friendly. It gets busy in the evening and usually there are DJs on providing some good music. There is a good selection of bottled and draft beers. Make sure you get here early as people tend to stay, so you will struggle to find a table. Well worth a visit.

Centro is a relaxed chilled out bar in the heart of the Northern Quarter serving good beer and good cheap food. It is a great place to go to chill out in the daytime for a coffee and to read the paper. The staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is vibrant. It is best to go early at the weekend though as it gets very busy after eight O’clock. Recommended.

Centro’s metallic, stripped down décor and unusual, split floor layout creates a pleasant, chilled out atmopshere.
Friendly bar staff make this a great places for a drink or two with friends.