The Best Winter Bars In Manchester

The Anthologist might have had the title of the First Dates restaurant to its name, but it's the cocktails ready to warm you from the inside-out that are sure to keep you coming back for more. Feeling extra indulgent this winter? The Quality Street-themed drinks here would be our recommendation.

When in need of a stylish Manchester restaurant and bar this winter, 20 Stories is the spot to hang out at. They unveil a winter theme each year, offering the perfect place to sip mulled wine underneath cosy blankets, all while enjoying the view and stuffing your face with the grill menu.

Not only is Dirty Martini the perfect pick for after-work drinks, date nights and Christmas parties, but the cocktail favourite always has a special seasonal menu that you just won't be able to resist. Explore the list of winter sips and get well into the festive spirit. 

Head over to the Northern Quarter to discover NQ64, the popular activity bar covered in neon graffiti. They're best known for their retro gaming, from old-school consoles to arcade machines, offering Time Crisis, Guitar Hero and much more.

They've got an exciting Christmas terrace to enjoy too this year, bookable for anywhere between five and 200 guests at a time. This is covered with festive decorations, boasting heaters and more arcade games too, and you can also enjoy themed cocktails like the Lemmingade.

Right in the heart of Manchester, The Alchemist are taking winter cocktails to the next level. Known for their molecular mixology, the bar is known to showcase some sweet sips, such as biscoffee martinis and a white chocolate vodka drink. 

When you're after festive bars in Manchester, The Whiskey Jar is coming in hot with its candlelit space and stunning Christmas tree, which is decked out with luscious red bows and shining baubles. Nab the watering hole's namesake spirit over ice and settle into these seasonal surroundings.

This winter, Courts Club in Manchester becomes the ultimate festive getaway, transformed into Winter Assembly. Book one of the unique Chalaoke huts for an unforgettable karaoke session in a cosy chalet-style setting. Enjoy seasonal film screenings in their outdoor cinema and indulge in decadent boozy hot chocolates.

Savour delicious Christmas street food, all while surrounded by twinkling Christmas trees and crackling marshmallow fire pits. Plus, they're even hosting Christmas quiz nights.

Igloo dining in Manchester was once covered by The Lawn Club, but now you'll find that their winter yurt is all the rage. You can hunker down in this cosy den and enjoy bottomless brunches and pizzas, or book out the space for a festive party.

With innovative drinks like the Santa Coloda and festive sangrias, Be At One Manchester is working hard to create some epic Christmas cocktails each year. Located right on Deansgate, the bar creates limited edition drinks as soon as November to get you in a merry mood.

The tables at Albert's Schloss have specially created 'press for prosecco' buttons to ensure your glass never runs dry this winter. Enjoy some Bavarian performances and cabaret with a side of bratwurst or kooky cocktails at this iconic Manchester spot, all while admiring the fairy-lit decor.

The basement bar of The Foundry Project screams speakeasy vibes thanks to low-lit booths and velvet furnishings. Descend down the stairs for an evening of dancing, drinking and debauchery, with Baileys espresso martinis waiting as your go-to winter tipple - a world away from the wet Manchester streets outside.

For winter bars in Manchester city centre, get Flight Club on your radar. Come the festive season, they're decked out in a seasonal look to match the fun fairground theme. Here, you can nab cocktails while getting stuck into interactive darts across fun games. That's certainly enough to keep you warm.

When it comes to winter bars in Manchester, The Oast House in Spinningfields offers a magical seasonal experience. As winter rolls around, its courtyard transforms into a cosy, festive Teepee complete with roaring fires, fairy lights, faux fur, and tank-fresh Staropramen beer.

Open daily throughout the season, it's the ultimate winter hideaway featuring live music every single night, festive drinks, and delicious house-cooked pub grub. Gather beneath the canvas to get toasty with a seasonal cocktail or cold beer in a lively, atmospheric setting.

Après Ski Christmas at Tatton Park offers one of the best ways to enjoy seasonal cocktails and festive drinks this year. Taking over Tenants Hall for a series of exclusive winter nights, it features fully stocked bars pouring festive cocktails, mulled wine, craft beers, premium spirits, and table-side wine selections.

Head down to sip mulled wine and fizz under the chalet-style lighting; it also matches its extensive drink selection with Italian street food by San Carlo and explosive live DJ and sax music that keeps the drinks flowing until 1am. What's more, there's a bottomless brunch for you daytime revellers. 

The Black Friar Salford have replaced last year's outdoor dining pods in Manchester with a pop-up Winter Tavern, complete with open fires, a merry Olde English feel, fluffy furs to snuggle into, and stunning candle-lit feasts.

Bar Hütte is back once more this November, offering the people of Manchester one unique winter bar experience. Keeping to their signature après ski theme, the space is decorated with cosy chalets complete with festive lights, snug heat lamps and even a 'carol-oke' machine. 

Known for turning their iconic cherry blossoms an icy blue and covering them in sparkling frost to celebrate the season, Tattu Manchester are making sure you can enjoy a wintery bar. Last year, the restaurant's walls came to life with 'The Last Snow', while limited edition themed cocktails and desserts were available too.

The Wharf is a great choice of cosy pubs in Manchester, boasting a relaxing atmosphere that comes from its picturesque location alongside the canal basin. Bursting with snug nooks, this place is perfect for a romantic date or relaxed night out of acoustic live music. 

Not only does The Refuge front the Winter Garden to satisfy your cosy bar needs this cold season (often paired with a pop-up tipi), but it's also got all the signature cocktails you could need to warm your cockles. Ask the bartenders to whip you up one of the Manchester-themed tipples, if you're really looking to get into the local spirit.

This classic of winter pubs in Manchester is jam-packed with cosy nooks to huddle up in alongside a warming drink. On Sundays, this place is heaving too, thanks to all of you who are keen to sample their legendary roast and get toasty by the fire. 

Never one to do things by halves, The Ivy Spinningfields is shaking things up to become one of the best winter rooftop bars in Manchester. Think cosy open fireplaces and decor that leaves it looking like a seasonal wonderland.

If you're searching for an Altrincham spot to spend winter, then The Con Club should be right up there. Head to its rooftop and you'll uncover the hidden tipi overlooking the town's market area, which is sure to be equally decked out for the festivities.