Cool And Quirky Bars In Manchester

As hosts to drag shows and creative cocktails to accompany, Via is not to be missed on the city's nightlife scene. Sashay your way to this venue in the Gay Village and you won't be short on friendly vibes or entertainment.

This subterranean bar is a hotspot for Manchester's late-night revellers and sports lovers alike. The music policy is loud, the food comes of an southern USA persuasion and the bar will ply you with liquors of every form, so a good time is basically guaranteed. 

A must-visit for any gin fan, Three Little Words is the sleek restaurant that sits next to the Spirit of Manchester distillery. Head here to learn all about the science behind the perfect G&T, before feasting on a mouthwatering menu of international plates and classic Sunday roasts.

One for the dram lovers amongst us, this Tariff Street spot is whipping up all manner of heady concoctions and live entertainment. Fronting some moody lighting, cocktail classes and even a terrace for BBQ grub come summer, there's plenty to sink your teeth into at The Whiskey Jar.

Candy colour schemes and Instagram vibes are the name of the game at this unique haunt. Sunset by Australasia is one of the top outdoor bars in Manchester; perfect for warm summer days, with its leafy terrace, platters of sushi and frozen cocktails to keep you hydrated.

Start stretching out those arms, make sure that lunge is in check and (most importantly) get practising your victory strike dance; Dog Bowl is a playground the city's big kids. This Oxford Road watering hole is strictly a competitor's zone, so bowl on.

When it comes to the best bars in Manchester city centre, Salt Dog Slims is right up there. There's bespoke cocktails, a cool playlist, pool tables, a lineup of American-inspired bites and a beer vending machine if you want to skip the queues.

Gunning to get on the crease? Sixes Cricket lets you do just that in their high-tech batting nets, with plenty of drinking to be done while you're at it. Better yet, they're fronting classic British dishes and a swish Champagne bar to boot, so you can really make a night of it.

One of the best cocktail bars in Manchester, Dirty Martini always promises a winning night out. Whether you're stopping by for happy hour pre-drinks, a boozy brunch or one of their famous afternoon teas, this place is sure to blow you away with its siganture sips.

From bourbon-laced cocktails and classic concoctions to a choice of live jazz music or DJs, Blues Kitchen is bringing a taste of America's deep south to Manchester. Better yet, you can pair your drinks with low 'n' slow cooked meat or burgers.

On the corner of Blackfriars Street and Parsonage, you'll find the neon signs and exposed brick walls of The Liquor Store. With cocktails named after The Walking Dead, the globe's best liquors and martinis as big as your head, this place sure knows how to get a party started.

When it comes to rule breakers and noise makers in Manchester, there's no place quite like Albert's Schloss. From steins and sausages to heaped plates or heaving live performances, this fun-loving haunt's offerings will have you chowing down before dancing on tables.

American rock 'n' roll joint MOJO takes inspiration from the best New York dive bars, fronting some of the finest cocktail classics and unique creations Manchester has to offer. Are they serving up the most potent zombie around? Just maybe. 

Offering up simulation shooting games alongside 2 for £10 cocktail happy hours and speakeasy bar vibes, Point Blank Shooting Manchester is one quirky pick for your evening out. Topping it off? Bottomless brunch on Sundays, of course.

For something a little different, head to the American-inspired Cane and Grain. As one of many cool bars in Manchester's Northern Quarter, this place offers the city's hungry revellers an even more characterful place for scoffing Southern-style bites, alongside a neat selection of handcrafted cocktails in its secret watering hole upstairs.

With three bars across the city, The Alchemist is a great choice for cocktails. The New York Street venue is one of our faves, with a party atmosphere come the weekend. Make sure to check out their incredible mixes, which incorporate everything from dry ice to smoke.

Inspired by uber-luxe bars in New York, LA and Miami, BLVD is a venue like no other. Mosey over to the Spinningfields venue for a mix of international small plates and expertly mixed cocktails. Once the sun goes down? The live entertainment and late-night fun come out to play.

From its Mexican-style street food to the lineup of cocktails and DJs come the evening, El Diablo is one hot party palace sitting down on Deansgate Locks. To top it off, the dancefloor here is open 'til 4am for all you movers and shakers.

Thanks to a cracking cocktail list filled with innovative mixes, Foundry Project is one top spot for drinks in the city. And if hunger strikes? There's an extensive food menu taking you from brunch through to late-night dinners, set against a backdrop of swanky interiors.

This quirky spot is no stranger to party vibes in a pink setting. Bingo Balls Manchester not only has an adult-sized ball pit to dive into, but also booths to book, cocktails masterclasses to head to and DJs keeping you dancing 'til the early hours.

Electric Gamebox is the kooky hangout serving up a whole range of interactive fun, meaning it's one of the quirkiest bars with activities in Manchester. Spend a night smashing blocks and catching coins in your own immersive private pad.

If its live music and alfresco drinking sessions you're after, check out what the folks at YES are up to. Expect some of the hottest global artists, quirky art exhibitions, pop-up screenings and plenty more on the suntrap terrace space.

Boasting stylish private dining pods, a well-stocked bar and swish jungle-themed interiors, The Lawn Club is the perfect spot to soaking in the sun. Located in the heart of Hardman Square, this place is a wonderland of alfresco drinking with plenty of outdoor seating up for grabs. 

This basement bar is a den of Mexican libations, tacos and wings. With a huge neon sign, exposed brick and colourful tiles, El Capo is perfect for something a little low-key; plus, they've got a huge range of tequila and mezcal on offer if you fancy taking things up a notch.

A cool and quirky bar in Manchester city centre, Alcotraz is bringing together smuggling, sipping and speakeasy vibes in one fun experience. Your task? To sneak a bottle of your favourite spirit past the guards so the talented inmates can turn it into a tasty tipple.

Bringing you some bold signature cocktails, tasty pizzas and tech-savvy dartboards for you to challenge your friends, this cool watering bar on King Street is an experience like no other. Looking for the best boozy brunches? Check out Flight Club's weekly socials.

If playing a few rounds of beer or prosecco pong is for you, then you're going to want to make your way to Pong & Puck. A top choice out of game bars in Manchester, this quirky venue is not only home to shuffleboard, but also offers a lineup of cocktails inspired by the 80s, 90s and 00s.

Impossible is offering guests an array of entertainment that spans from theatre to cabaret, making it one of the best bars in the area. Take your dinner plans up a notch, with an inventive menu of British classics and handcrafted sips taking centre stage.

One of the best bars in Manchester if you're looking for some Bavarian antics, Manchester Bierkeller is the place to be for Oompah bands on Saturdays, sloshing steins and a range of tasty grub. If you're a fan of sports, Shooters Bar downstairs is also sure to be a hit.

For alternative bars in Manchester, Dusk Til Pawn is unbeaten. Hidden behind the pretence of an old pawn shop window, this cool watering hole is made up of comfy sofas, a blasting jukebox and top-notch cocktails. Swing by for quirky concoctions and killer tunes in a unique setting. 

Laundry day getting you down? With more than just soap suds and wash cycles on offer, this secret bar in Manchester is a hideout for those in the know. Go for a tumble through the dryer, where you'll discover a lair of potent libations and late-night antics.

A firm choice for live music, Jimmy's has got rock 'n' roll running through its veins. Band posters decorate walls, there's knickknacks collected from touring artists, and a long list of acts taking to the stage. The support? Great beer and comfort food.

From the same minds behind Crazy Pedro's, Bunny Jackson's is a hopping and rockin' live music bar. Billed as Manchester's greatest 'juke joint', the bar plays hit after hit, as well as offering Americana vibes in the menu and interiors.

Phones at the ready, this is one of many seriously pretty bars around these parts. Located in a former Salford office block, Menagerie boasts Instagrammable interiors, including bird sculptures suspended from the ceiling, neon signs and plenty of floral features, to accompany your cocktail sipping.

With Asian small plates and cool industrial interiors, Cottonopolis is a top choice for date night. Pop in to try its comprehensive selection of sake or, if you're seeking something a little different, the bartenders can knock up a range of stunning handcrafted concoctions. 

If you want a game, chances are that this neon-lit subterranean den has got it. 7 Sins is an underground world hiding all sorts of fun, from shuffleboard and pool through to arcade classics. Feeling thirsty? Fill up on creative cocktails and 'Gram-worthy shakes.

Another Northern Quarter staple, Behind Closed Doors is a speakeasy bar serving potent signature cocktails. With naughty vintage images dotted around the space, telephones on tables, DJ decks in a shopping trolley and a hidden location, this quirky joint is ticking all the right boxes.

Vintage charm meets cocktail finesse at this unique bar. A wonderland for those who love a dash of 20s-style debauchery, Fitzgerald is primed for Prohibition-inspired evenings of sipping craft cocktails, curling up in romantic nooks and swooning over live jazz. 

One of the best rooftop bars in Manchester, The Ivy Spinningfields is sure to add a dash of exclusivity to your nights out in the city. Start off in the brasserie for classic British bites, before heading to the Asian-inspired bar space or to the very top of the building for alfresco sips.

From its craft beer down to its juicy burgers and roast dinners, Trof is a casual but fun place to settle down. Tooting its own vintage vibe, retro furniture and exposed brickwork, this place has a chilled out aesthetic, which switches into a party vibe when night falls.