With its lashings of purple, chandeliers, and TVs in the toilets (Velvet was one of the first bars in town to discover the delights of the miniature screen), this veteran bar has born witness to Canal Street's every turn, from the launch of Manto to the current hen party invasion.
In the midst of the madness, though, the bar has stuck to the principles of good drink, great service and lavish surrounds.
And it's a formula that others would be wise to follow, if the friendly crowd that I came across last week were anything to go by. Walking down the stairs, into the restaurant, I was pleased to find the majority of tables occupied by local office workers and daytime diners.
Little had changed since my last visit in 2005 - a lick of paint here, and some more pictures on the wall, but most features remain intact, including the fishtank in the stairwell.
As it was lunchtime, my friend Kevin and I both opted for grilled sardines, served with a Greek salad (£4.95), which were hot, and just the right side of charred. To drink, Kevin chose the classic Martini (£4.95) - very refreshing and served complete with Casino Royale-style lemon shaving, while I opted for the house special.
Combo
Called the Velvet Champagne cocktail (£6.95), this combo has only been on the menu for a month and is selling well, our waiter explained. With what appeared to be raspberry sauce wobbling, gelatinously in the bottom of the flute, I wasn't overly impressed with flavour or price - but this was the lone flaw in a very enjoyable experience.
Best-selling champagnes include Veuve Clicquot, and the house Boizel, while spirits are mainstream, popular choices like Smirnoff, Bell's and Gordon's.
Other drinks on offer include the newly ubiquitous Beck's Vier, Staropramen, Hoegaarden, Leffe and a new hand-pulled ale, called Smooth Velvet, exclusive to the bar and clocking in at £2.50 for a pint.
Produced by Moorhouse's Brewery in Burnley, this creamy local creation is reason enough to drop in for a half.
Velvet 2 Canal Street, city centre. (0161 236 9003). Open: 4pm-12.30am Mon-Wed, 4pm-1am Thurs, 4pm-2am Fri, 2pm-2am Sat, 2pm-12.30am Sun. Restaurant noon-10pm Sun-Thurs, noon-11pm Fri-Sat.
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