I went to Stockport's new coffee shop and bar with a twist - next door to Blossoms singer's cocktail spot

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It’s not been open long and might be a real hidden gem.

Stockport is becoming a borough that is more and more sought after, with new developments and businesses moving in. New cafes and bars always get the attention of a town, and a new addition to Stockport has done just that.

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This is a coffee shop-turned-bar but with a twist. The venue is what is known as an audio bar, and a visit to it soon revealed just what it was all about. Located on Lower Hillgate, a part of the town that feels tucked away from the more mainstream areas of hustle and bustle, I went along for an afternoon coffee, a short walk from the train station.  

Ōdiobā is a relatively new addition to Stockport Ōdiobā is a relatively new addition to Stockport
Ōdiobā is a relatively new addition to Stockport | ManchesterWorld

Named Ōdiobā, the venue has not yet been open two months and walking in through its unassuming entrance, this sense of freshness was not lost on me. In an audio bar, according to the Ōdiobā website, the sound system is the heartbeat of the bar. The mellow sounds are carried across the three floors, as I noted after ordering a cappuccino. 

Given the time of day, I pretty much had the bar to myself. The stairs took me through first the second floor and then up to the top of the building. Plants and soft music created an idyllic setting, and a varied yet equally relaxed playlist was the background noise for my drink. 

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Chatting to the barista, I was told of the way the coffee shop turns into a bar at night, with each floor providing an audio-oriented background. Draft beer taps and a selection of wines and other drinks on the bar showed this, and its transformation into a bar takes place when the sun begins to set. 

A peaceful place for a coffee- or maybe a beerA peaceful place for a coffee- or maybe a beer
A peaceful place for a coffee- or maybe a beer | ManchesterWorld

The second floor had further signs of what Ōdiobā has to offer its night time clientele. A DJ booth is tucked into one corner and the switch to a different gear is led from this spot. Early on a Wednesday afternoon it was very much just part of the furniture, with the weekend countdown on. 

With the official title of ‘Listening Bar’, Ōdiobā call on customers to enjoy the flowing sounds and embrace the immersive sound experience. My early afternoon stay was this, and the peaceful nature of the bar meant that it was easy enough to be won over by the immersive sound angle. 

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Ōdiobā joins the likes of Robinsons Brewery and Bohemian Arts Club, the cocktail bar owned by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie. In a part of town that has varied options, the audio bar makes a fitting addition - and with Stockport’s nightlife scene being added to in recent years, there is certainly a place for a chilled out venue that is just a bit different.  

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