Take heed from the name and grab some mates, sip together at Just Between Friends
A morning of laughs, people-watching and good coffee - it’s a sure thing at Manchester’s Just Between Friends. Fly solo for a takeaway or spend some time soaking up the Northern Quarters bustling atmosphere with friends at this stellar coffee shop.
We first chanced upon Just Between Friends while on an errant visit to Wilmslow, a suburb of Manchester City. Like moths to a flame we honed in on the little coffee shop, filled to the brim with people queueing for cups of goodness on their lunch hour. We didn’t have time just then to stop and sip but we filed the name away. When we learnt they had a venue in the city centre, we set our hearts on visiting whenever we next wandered through the Mancunian streets.
A gig in Autumn provided us with the perfect occasion. After a night of dancing and a breakfast at the wonderful Caravan, we made our way to Tib Street. Opened in 2018, this is JBF’s original location, though they’ve since expanded and opened in two more spots- Ancoats in 2020 and Wilmslow in 2021. With lovely September sunshine brightening the street, we spotted the logo perched on the front of a dark building. The large window that takes up the front facade was peeled back so that even as we grabbed seats outside, we felt part of the indoor buzz. An inviting chatter comes from people occupying the few seats inside, while a steady stream of takeaway’s make us feel lucky to have nabbed tables, even before we’ve tried the coffee.
Coffee Jargon
An interior of exposed brick and warm wooden furnishings welcomes one inside. Since opening back in 2018 Just Between Friends have served up brews with beans sourced from Assembly Coffee Roasters and this roasters still dominates their menu. On our visit a Brazilian natural Mio from Assembly was on offer for the house espresso, alongside a plethora of other Assembly roasts. The baristas were friendly, asking what flavour profiles we usually favoured. Upon their recommendation for our filter on V-60, we opted for a natural Columbian El Vergel, produced by the Bayter Brothers and roasted by Assembly. For the flat white, another Assembly roast, we chose a Tanzanian natural from the Gaia Estate 127/SL28.
As friends ordered a cortado and a flat white on the Brazilian house espresso, we returned outside once more. Our coffees arrived en masse. The flat white was silky, rich and juicy with punchy red berry notes. The filter coffee was much lighter and refreshing with a sweet lingering strawberry flavour. A sip of the flat white featuring the house espresso rendered a cup of deeper and darker notes, nutty and delicious. We swapped cups, exchanged exclamations at that strawberry hint and enjoyed a coffee in one of its most joyful forms- between friends.
Summary
Just Between Friends have carved themselves a joyful space, serving up beautifully made coffees on their corner of Tib Street. It seems the perfect place to grab a coffee before mooching around the Northern Quarter or to sit inside on a rainy day and watch people bustle by. If the occassion allows, take heed from the name, gather some friends, and catch up in the sunshine over a wonderful cup of speciality coffee. Keep it Just Between Friends.
Where to find Just Between Friends:
56 Tib St,
Manchester,
M4 1LG
