Best Bars In Manchester

For the best bars in Manchester city centre, Salt Dog Slims comes up trumps thanks to late-night opening times, a beer vending machine and unique cocktails. Topping it off? Plenty of hot dogs (well, the clue's in the name there).

The Liquor Store is a tribute to all things Manchester, adorned with pictures of it's greatest people and playing classic tunes, with a cocktail list inspired by the city itself too. As well as that, the venue offers plenty of chances to party.

When it comes to great bars, BrewDog and their partner hotel Doghouse always come out on top. Between the high tables and the leather booths, this joint offers a great ambience for whatever you're after, whether it's a night out with mates or an intimate drink with a date.

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.

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.

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.

Lock 91 is one of the top outdoor bar thanks to its beautiful canalside location and quaint terrace. Located on Deansgate Locks, it's got a multitude of different rooms, ranging from snug armchair havens to the Club Room, which is open late on Fridays and Saturdays and decked out to ooze 1920s grandeur.

Whether you're hungry, thirsty or both, this is one of the best Manchester bars in Northern Quarter. Not only has Foundry Project got an impressive food menu, but the drinks selection is just as lip-smacking. Pair that with live music, DJs and a killer happy hour? You're onto a winner.

When we're talking about the most amazing cocktail bars, you want to hear about these guys' drinks, don't you? Home to some of the best tipples around, Arcane isn't just smart, cool and creative, but its New York vibes also create the ultimate evening experience.

Dirty Martini uses an arsenal of ingredients to curate an impressive menu. You'll find all kinds of martinis, alongside other signature concoctions and a great tasting list of small plates or sharing boards. Perfect for group nights out or casual drinks, this cocktail bar promises to leave you grinning from ear to ear.

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.

Gay bars in Manchester don't get much better than Via, where you'll find everything from cocktails to club nights and diva-licious drag. If that wasn't enough? There's outdoor tables by the side of the canal too.

Whether you're on a first date or chilling out with mates, this bar is one of the best. There's 14 areas to book at Flight Club, plus a whole load of pizza slices and cocktail slushies to feast on in between games.

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.

Head to New York Street, Spinningfields or MediaCity, where this unique cocktail bar offers a range of delicious mixes that are about way more than just the sipping. Expect an extra slice of theatricality throughout your experience, including edible bath bombs and rhubarb caviar.

A den of adult entertainment with interiors that hint back to its origins as a 1970 members' club, Whiskey Down is the underground lair you won't want to miss for your next night out. Better yet, there's private rooms to book too.

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.

With striking interiors, plush seating and a cocktail list that'll make your mouth water, The Anthologist is one of Manchester's top drinking destinations. Tuck into dishes inspired by countries around the world, or stick to tipples... either way, this is one for your list.

Out of the best exclusive bars in Manchester, 20 Stories is a favourite due to its sky-high location. Take in views from the terrace, which has a seasonally changing themed, or check out the indoor dining space.

Sitting in the heart of Deansgate is Revolucion De Cuba; an amazing Latin-style pick of watering holes. Ceiling fans and high tables combine to create a great eating and drinking experience, coupled with live music and tasty frozen cocktails.

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.

A bustling spot on Quay Street, Blues Kitchen is an American-inspired restaurant bar promising bourbon cocktails and delicious food. Alongside their edible offerings, the venue also hosts nightly live music from big bands and solo performers.

Hotel bars don't come much better than Moxy, where there's everything from live DJs to Manchester-themed cocktails and beer pong to keep you entertained. If that wasn't enough, this dog-friendly spot is ideal for chilled out cocktails with your pooch in the day.

A stalwart of the cocktail scene across the UK, Be At One is a destination where the drinks go down easy and the music is turned up loud in the evenings. Party 'til late at this fun spot complete with neon signs and urban decor.

Speak In Code is the dimly-lit secret cocktail den that specialises in world class concoctions in low-key surroundings. Expect impressive drinks, photo-worthy decor and charming staff that can whip you up a variety of tasty treats.

If you're hunting for a top bar in the city, then look no further than Dusk til Pawn. A former fortune teller's den, and now converted with a cool pawn shop aesthetic, it's a cocktail spot that impresses with flavour, style and charm in abundance.

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.

Indulge in pure cocktail artistry at one of the most unique spots in the city. A pure nod to class and cool in equal measure, Lost in Tokyo brings Manchester some of the best in Japanese whisky, alongside some of the most creative mixes in the business. 

On The Hush is a unique NQ hangout that's shaking up cocktails and serving them in glass slippers, all across foliage-covered interiors. Plus, there's a life-sized phone booth for taking snaps and reels, alongside bottomless brunches to boot.

A staple of Nikkei cuisine down in that London, Chotto Matte's first UK location outside the capital sits atop Gary Neville's much-anticipated St Michael's development. Up here, high above the city streets, its sky-view bar Claude's serves up cracking cocktails and rooftop vibes. 

With over 200 tequilas and mezcals to choose from, there's sure to be a tipple here to take your fancy. As you sip and savour the views, DJs are behind the decks spinning soulful atmosphere into the air.

Love your cocktails on the super creative side? Get down to Finders Keepers. Perched perfectly by the waterfront at New Islington Marina, this place is all about innovation without the gimmicks.

Its master mixologists craft all kinds of incredible concoctions, from its twist on a spicy margarita to the signature Champagne On Ice, a dreamy blend of pear and vanilla ice cream, Haku vodka, Calvados and Laurent-Perrier.

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.

One of the coolest names in the Northern Quarter and a fine example of all things urban industrial; not only do Pen & Pencil schmooze with their hip interiors, but their food menu is also a hidden gem. As for the cocktails? Expect unique creations and interesting ingredients.

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. 

Searching for the best rooftop bars in Manchester? YES is just the place, with a beer garden and sky-high terrace for you to enjoy, alongside delish street food and a lineup of live performances. From DJs to musicians and club nights, there's plenty to keep you entertained here.

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.

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.