Thanks to such an amazing of choice of where to drink in Manchester, our city is awash with options - both a blessing, and a curse when you're deciding where to head. Whether you fancy cocktail bars, cosy pubs or the most stunning venues, our guide will show you a range of places to venture over to.
Situated in Good Yard Park, Courts Club is a unique activity bar where you can get sporty with your friends. They've got both basketball and tennis courts available to book, and there's a bar and restaurant to celebrate the winners in afterwards. There's both indoor and outdoor seating available, and you can munch your way through a menu of cheese toasties, cob salads and crispy halloumi gyros here, paired with cocktails or draught beer.
When where to drink outdoors in Manchester is on your mind, The Lawn Club comes in hot with plenty of options. There's an enclosed pergola decked out with ivy and fairy lights, alongside bookable private pods and a pop-up tipi come winter. As for the summer though? Their spacious lawn and sunny terrace area are the perfect place for alfresco drinks, such as two for £12 summer spritzes served from the outdoor bar.
LGBTQ+ bars are topped off by Via Manchester, where you catch everything from late-night DJs to drag shows and more while enjoying your drinks. There's wine, beer, 2 for £5 bombs and all kinds of spirits to boot.
After 2 for 1 cocktails in Manchester? You can find the home of affordable concoctions, Slug and Lettuce, at Spinningfields, Deansgate, Albert Square, Piccadilly and Didsbury locations across our city.
Nab the offer all day and across most of the year.
Affectionately known as The Welly, this boozer is nestled right in-between Printworks and Manchester Cathedral. As a proper traditional pub, it's serving all the usual suspects - think cask ales, wine and whiskey aplenty.
The Alchemist Manchester can be found in three different locations: Spinningfields, MediaCity and New York Street. Their famous theatrical cocktails make them a top choice for drinks, whether you fancy frothing numbers, smoking concoctions or edible bubbles.
Birthday drinks in Manchester? If you want a venue taking you from day to night, then BLVD is the choice. Fill up on international small plates, head to the cocktail lounge and catch DJs or other live entertainment later into the evening.
Right on Deansgate is The Sawyer Arms, a charming pub that has your chilled out after-work drink covered. Alongside the fab selection of draught beers, including 3 guest ales which change regularly, there's also 2 for 1 cocktails on Thursdays.
Found just off Deansgate and open 'til late, The Liquor Store has some of the greatest party spirit in Manchester. Rock 'n' roll music and American dive bar vibes feature throughout, while the friendly bar staff are quick to recommend cocktails based on your preferences.
Searching for a post-shopping sip? Found in the Trafford Centre, All Bar One will have you quenching your thirst in no time. Plus, every Friday after 5pm, it's only £25 for a bottle of prosecco for you and your pals.
Whether you're in Kampus, Altrincham, Chorlton or the Northern Quarter, Nell's is a great choice for affordable drinks in a laid-back setting. Boasting weekend DJ sets and simple, casual furnishings, these bars know how to make a good cocktail.
They specialise in margaritas: just £7.77 all day on Saturdays, or £6.66 for margs and £4.50 for pints between 4 and 6pm from Sunday to Friday. If you're hungry, try their delicious New York-style pizzas - we recommend the cheese and onion pie-inspired topping.
Out of all the bars in Manchester city centre, Salt Dog Slims is a firm fav. From beer vending machines to cool cocktails and cheap hotdogs to line your stomach, it's a great place to drink. Plus, you can have a go at pool while you're slurping.
For swanky settings and delicious drinks, we had to give a shoutout to Browns Brasserie & Bar. Along with its historic hall setting and colourful decor, the venue offers Champagne, beer and cocktails such as the lemon bon bon bellini.
Looking for a cool bar to visit? Then check out Side Street in Spinningfields, where you'll find cool interiors that feature checkered floors, comfy velvet sofas and pretty plants dotted around.
There's a cracking choice of beers available, as well as refreshing spritz cocktails and soft drinks. Feeling peckish? They serve up everything from rotisserie chicken to grilled monkfish or macaroni cheese.
Canalside drinking doesn't get much better than the swish Dukes 92, where chilled out sunshine-laden drinks on the terrace can quickly descend into a buzzing atmosphere come night-time. Also, there's plenty of delish grub to line your stomach.
Head downstairs at Foundry Project and you'll find a cocktail den waiting for you, clad in dark leather and comfy booths. Our recommendation? They See Me Aperol-ing, which sees the liquor shaken up with Patron Silver tequila, vanilla, lime and pineapple.
Feeling like you need your thirst quenched? Then let Banyan step up to the plate. Not only boasting some of the most unique cocktails across the city, the venue is a prime place to drink in Manchester thanks to the wine selection, minimalist interiors and globally enticing menu.
With one of the best bars in Manchester city centre, Moxy is a cool hotel that's the ideal choice for drinks. This trendy spot is dog-friendly too, so you'll be able to snuggle your pooch while sipping through Disco Diva cocktails and wine.
Craft beer more your thing? BrewDog are the Scottish purveyors of this hoppy delight. Expect to find all their drinks on tap or in cans, alongside guest ales and more.
While known for those iconic angel wings you just can't help but nab a pic in front of, Dirty Martini is also a famous for having endless flavours of its namesake cocktail. But that's not all, as there's a range of other signatures and classics to get your lips around too.
Much more than a pizza parlour, Nell's brings New York bar vibes to MediaCity, Chorlton and Altrincham. Whether you stop by to tuck into its signature slices of OG Cheese and Double Down Pepperoni or want to stick to liquid refreshments, there's fun and games by the box load.
Head to the private karaoke booths to put on a show for your pals or get good and competitive over a game or two of shuffleboard. Get down here between 4pm and 6pm Sunday to Friday and it gets even better - we're talking £4.50 pints and £6.66 margs.
Wondering where to drink at rooftop bars in Manchester? 20 Stories is just the place. There's a seasonally-rotating signature cocktail list, stunning views across the city and even installations on their terrace, from winter pergolas to summertime seating.
Situated in the city centre, Impossible is the perfect plot for an evening packed with non-stop entertainment. From their nights of killer DJs and disco decor to their 63 types of gin and delicious cocktails, this stellar sipping is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
The cocktails at this glamorous restaurant and bar focus on botanical blends, with signature concoctions made using gin and herbal liqueurs. Have a sip and soak up the stunning interiors at this St Peter Square hideaway.
Be At One is a down-to-earth joint for drinks, where neon and urban party vibes are packed throughout the space. There's a roster of concoctions that swill down the hatch easily and it's open 'til late too.
Head over to The Wharf for a relaxing tipple by the canal, getting ready to soak up the Manchester sunshine while watching the world go by. Choose from their extensive cask ale selection, vast spirits or delicious wine list for a cool drink with friends or a lazy weekend to remember.
With a changing rota of specials, there's always something new on the cocktail menu at Dusk til Pawn to challenge your tastes. Hidden behind the facade of an old pawn shop, this quirky spot has a Prohibition-style feel, vintage knick-knacks and a jukebox soundtrack to accompany your drinks.
One of the most fun bars in Manchester, On The Hush boasts lush foliage, plush seating and quirky frames. It also has a plethora of stylish sips to match - think salted caramel espresso martinis and rhubarb Aperol spritzes. Hungry? They've got burgers and pasta to boot.
Perhaps the city's best wine bar, Salut has over 300 bottles of the stuff waiting to be supped at your table or during a tasting. Plus, 40 of those are available to drink by the glass, thanks to their high-tech wine preservation machines. Fancy.
