Best Bars In Manchester

With small bijou cocktail bars, swish drinking dens, and hundreds of cool or quirky hotspots to choose from, this city is home to some of the finest watering holes in the country. Don't get overwhelmed by all the choice; simply check out our handpicked selection of liquid lairs and hit up one of the best bars in Manchester for a memorable night out. 

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 1st August 2025




Electric Shuffle Manchester

Happy Hour and 3 other offers

Whether you're hitting up its epic brunch or passing through for a team-building activity with your work colleagues, Electric Shuffle in Deansgate has it all. It can accommodate up to 16 players at a time and is available for private hire if you're looking for an exclusive affair. Food-wise, you'll find some delicious pizza on the menu, as well as small bites like 24-hour pulled pork bao buns and chicken souvlaki skewers.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Friday 5th December 2025

Mixing a speakeasy location, immersive activities and contraband cocktails, it's clear to see why Alcotraz is one of the city's best bars. The quirky prison-themed experience will have you sneaking illicit liquor into their basement space so the inmates can mix up something special.

Slug And Lettuce - Bars In Manchester

From Didsbury to Deansgate, Piccadilly and Spinningfields, Slug and Lettuce makes sure you're not very far from one of its venues. And what can you expect? Some of the most delicious 2 for 1 cocktails in Manchester accompanying affordable meals and bottomless brunches.

Each venue has got its own unique design, with a pink colour scheme tying them all together, and many of them have got outdoor terraces too. Sip classic concoctions or signatures like the Malibu strawberry-based Beach Babes, paired with scrumptious dishes such as steak sandwiches, mac 'n' cheese or Hawaiian rice bowls.

Wilson's Social

Beer and a burger and 2 other offers

If you're searching for one of the best bars in Manchester, look no further than Wilson's Social in the Northern Quarter. With a diverse selection of drinks, a cosy courtyard, and an inviting ambience, it's the perfect place for a casual night out or a celebratory drink.

Whether you're sipping on a cocktail, enjoying a local craft beer, or playing a game of pool with friends, Wilson's offers a lively space to relax and enjoy the best of Manchester's nightlife. Don't miss their daily happy hour specials and weekend live music events.

The Lawn Club

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It's safe to say that when the sun comes out, so does most of Manchester. Luckily there's a sleek Spinningfields spot for you to check out. The Lawn Club is a wonderland of all things alfresco drinking and dining, with fruity cocktails, comfy chairs and private pods to hire. Be sure to nab a seat on their foliage-covered terrace or the spacious lawn area, where you can even get drinks directly from the outdoor bar.

Freight Island

At Freight Island, located in the heart of The Depot, Mayfield, food and drink are taken to the next level. With 11 food vendors offering everything from juicy burgers to authentic Mexican and Indian street food, there's no shortage of flavour to explore.

Pair that with five distinct bars, including a taproom and one dedicated to tequila cocktails, and you've got the perfect spot to indulge in your favourite dishes and drinks.

Side Street

Happy Hour | Tuesday-Friday 5pm-7pm

Tucked away in the well-known ABC building in Spinningfields, Side Street Studios is a social, creative space that celebrates the artistic scene in Manchester. The cosy lounge bar is filled with plush velvet sofas, tiled floors and shelves stacked with plants, dimly lit to create a sultry, intimate vibe. Try out their carefully curated signature cocktails like the watermelon tequila-based 1959 or a vermouth-heavy God's Acre. They've got some tasty eats up for grabs here as well, from mini chicken kievs to bavette steak.

Diecast

Housed in a vast former metalworks factory, this 250,000-square-foot venue brings together industrial charm and immersive nightlife under one seriously cool roof. From the neon-lit Warehouse Kitchen to the energetic Club Leno and Brooklyn-style Beer Hall, Diecast is packed with personality. Expect high-octane DJ sets, grassroots live music, and bold cocktails in a space that buzzes from day to night.

Behind the bar, you'll find inventive drinks and craft pours that pair perfectly with their food lineup =- think NeoPan pizza, calabrian hot wings, and truffle-topped tater tots. 

1UP

One of the best bars in Didsbury, 1UP is your home of gaming for geeking out whenever you please. Think D&D campaigns, Pokemon cards, arcade machines, classic consoles and even a UV room for beer pong, all with the Wings Of Power menu to keep you fuelled.

The Daisy

Tucked away in the basement of Evelyn's in the Northern Quarter, The Daisy is a cool cocktail bar that was once a private members' club. The stylish space is filled with Parisian-inspired interiors, from cool black and white photos to comfy sofas.

They serve and exciting range of classic and signature cocktails, starting from £10 each. Our favourite? The sweet, fruity Strawberries and Cream.

Blinker

Created by the renowned bar manager for The Ned and Gordon Ramsay's restaurant group, Dan Berger, Blinker is a stunning cocktail bar in the heart of the city. The cool space is filled with up-cycled furniture and white tiled walls, as well as rustic wooden furniture.

There's a cracking range of cocktails on offer, both classic and signature. Think strawberry Aperol spritz, Champagne martinis or a Picante Verde, to name just a few.

Sterling

Situated on Norfolk Street, Sterling is a cool cocktail bar run by brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield. The stylish space was once a subterranean bank vault, now promising dark, sultry interiors and a wide selection of spirits.

There's a huge selection of signature and vintage cocktails on offer, with something to suit everyone. Think Singapore slings, classic negronis or the port and lemon-base Chicago Fizz.

Schofield's Bar

Owned by expert bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, Schofield's Bar is a fantastic spot for cocktails. You'll find it on the corner of Sunlight House in Spinningfields, one of the city's most famous buildings.

They use only the best quality ingredients in their cocktails, both classic and signature. Expect everything from the gin and dry cherry Shifting Sands to a lemongrass and elderflower-infused Green Light.