Hoving into view as you head north out Bolton town centre, and sticking out like a bright orange sore thumb, is Earl’s.
It’s a day-to-night deli, cocktail bar, sandwich joint and small plates spot, named after owner Jonny’s dachshund, Earl, sadly not in attendance when we went to visit (he’d have been ‘too chaotic’).
The decor is stylishly mid-century, with Ercol chairs and tables, a smart sideboard with a record deck, Cesca stainless steel bar stools and an orange formica bar top which stretches off towards the wood-panelled walls.
Behind the bar, a job-lot of vinyl from ‘a guy off eBay’, nestled in amongst the plywood alcoves for all the booze, and a pair of custom speakers.
They’re aiming to keep it simple. Great coffee from a custom sprayed La Marzocco, a handful of natural wines, a few classic cocktails, lager and stout from the brilliant Thornbridge brewery, and a couple more from Rivington Brew Co just up the road.
This place was Coleman’s bakery years ago – their sign was orange too – and Jonny used to get pies and pasties from here, as his nan’s house was round the corner. So it’s all come nicely full circle.
Co-owner Andy (who runs the barbers over the road too) knocks out hoagies on rotation – seriously weighty boys loaded with meatballs and marinara sauce, buffalo chicken, smoked turkey and deli meats, plus a classic ‘salad’ sandwich – who doesn’t love a salad sandwich?
It’s all great value too, something both lads are passionate about. Cocktails are £8, pints a fiver. Half a sandwich (quite ample) will cost you £6, and £10 for the full size, enough to put a horse to sleep for the afternoon.
All neighbourhood bars should be like this.
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