Manchester's Best Craft Beer Bars

Local craft ales and spirits make up the main portion of the menu at The Bank, a neo-classical style pub with the original library still upstairs. Get over to this gorgeous watering hole to enjoy pints paired with British pub food.

Housed in a beautifully refurbished Grade II-listed building, Head of Steam is a spacious craft beer bar suited to every occasion. You can choose from 24 keg and six cask lines of beer, both UK and Belgian brews, alongside premium spirits, wines and cocktails.

The interior features exposed brickwork and a circular bar in the middle, while entertainment ranges from darts and sports screenings to live music and DJ nights. Food comes courtesy of That Burger Place, renowned for their award-winning smash burgers.

To wash a pub meal down with premium craft ales, The Woodstock Arms is the place to head. This favourite in West Didsbury's drinking and dining scene also offers period features or a mega beer garden to settle down in, so you can be sure of a relaxed setting too.

Wilson's Social is a haven for craft beer lovers in Manchester. With over 18 beer taps featuring a fantastic selection of local craft beers, this bar in the Northern Quarter is a go-to for anyone who appreciates a good brew.

Whether you're after something from Manchester's own breweries or a fresh, exciting pint from elsewhere, Wilson's has it covered. Combine this with a laid-back atmosphere, tasty bar bites, and regular events like live music and quiz nights, and it's clear why Wilson's is one of the best craft beer bars in Manchester.

Boasting their very own craft beer, the Alabama Slim, across vending machines, this American dive bar offers up a unique late-night experience of craft beer in Manchester city centre. Topping it off? Pool, a graffiti wall you can sign and bespoke cocktails.

Stables Tavern in Manchester's St John's blends history and charm inside the original Rovers Return set from Coronation Street. Enjoy local pints, homemade sausage rolls, and Great North Pie Co. pies.

With live music Thursday–Sunday and a dog-friendly vibe, it's your new favourite for relaxed craft beer and comfort food.

If you're looking to sip some seriously good craft beers, then you're going to want to hit up Seven Bro7hers Social. Overlooking the waterfront, this special joint is in a league of its own, with a menu featuring modern British cuisine and a bar whipping up bespoke cocktails along with a pint of the finest. Come for one and stay for the live entertainment or gin school.

For a city-centre hangout with more character than most, make tracks to DogHouse Manchester on Fountain Street. Alongside its famous beer hotel rooms, you'll find a buzzing taproom, rooftop seating and menus packed with wings, salads and stacked burgers.

It's a crowd-pleasing spot for everything from casual birthday drinks to group night out warm-ups.

Manchester's interactive food tour is turning boozy – instead of restaurants, the pit stops on this tour will be independent beer spots. Food Escapes is taking you on a journey through Manchester's craft beer scene. You'll have a series of puzzle-based clues to solve, sent via WhatsApp, with the answers hidden in the streets and buildings around you. 

The answers will guide you to three locations, where you'll get to try some surprise sips ranging from proper pints to crisp lagers and juicy IPAs. Hints are available if you get stuck, but you'll have to weigh up if it's worth it, as they come with time penalities. 

For some of the best craft beer in Manchester, hit up The Old Wellington. This traditional ol' boozer is not only quite the looker with its period features, like exposed beams and brick, but it's also got all the real ales you could ask for, alongside a hearty menu of pub grub.

Taking craft beer bars in Manchester city centre to a whole new level is BrewDog. Not only does the ground-floor taproom boast 30 different brews spanning from stouts to hazy ales and gluten-free alternatives, but there's a menu of towering burgers and messy wings to boot.

With artwork-adorned walls, bench seats and the warm glow of neon bar signs, The Good Rebel is the perfect spot for a casual pint or two of cracking craft beer.

There's a strong line-up of local staples and changing guests on draft, as well as fridges packed with an eclectic mix of pales, stouts, ciders, lagers and more. Ale soakers come in the form crisps, nuts and classic bar snacks.

To get behind the scenes at some of our favourite craft beer breweries in Manchester? This tour doesn't only take you to the taprooms - have a guided look at each unique brewhouse while sipping through plenty of pints.

Pork and pints, you want some? Home to industrial interiors, foamy brews and meaty dishes, The Crafty Pig is coming up trumps in the foodie department. Make your way through their roster of impressive craft beers too. 

Built on the site of the old Gaythorn Gas Works, The Gasworks Brew Bar is a prime spot for craft beer right in the heart of the city. Brought to you by the team behind The Dockyard pubs, this industrial space features rustic interiors with a modern twist.

The in-house brewery is slinging out some of the freshest pints around, served directly from tank to tap. Whether you're playing shuffleboard or just coming along for a few drinks, you can also enjoy tasty food from Thief Street - think Korean barbecue waffle fries, chicken katsu curry or juicy burgers.

Offering some of the most popular beer in Manchester is Northern Monk Refectory, who made their way down to the city from Leeds. These craft pints are second-to-none, and the rotating kitchen residencies have offered everything from huge wedges of lasagne to succulent chicken and waffles.

After craft beer near Manchester Piccadilly? Cloudwater Brewery Co is a local favourite and their taproom is no exception. Mosey on over for a range of unique sips fresh from the brewhouse, alongside cool events, collabs with big names and kitchen takeovers.

This Northern Quarter stop-off is sure to cater for all your drinking needs. With a list that would take you a few weeks (and livers) to plough through, Port St Beer House is one of the city's finest venues for craft beer drinkers.

Ever tried a stroopwafel stout? How about a soft serve frozen pint? This Northern Quarter haunt is anything but ordinary. Check out Beatnikz Brewery to soak up an unusual selection of drinks in the right heart of Manchester.

The Marble Brewery is an institution in Manchester, and The Marble Arch is their original pub that delivers it all. With a bar pumping out fresh craft beer, it's the perfect place to grab a pint in the city. Expect cosy vibes in the winter and beer garden feels come summertime.

If the name wasn't a giveaway, this Manchester staple is famous for two things. Pie & Ale is situated in the Northern Quarter of this great city, combining a slick modern interior with traditional food and beer, so expect a selection from local micro-breweries paired with handmade grub.

Another craft beer bar in Manchester doing exactly what it says on the tin, this Salford Quays hide-away is primed for those after a unique pint. Craftbrew is the ultimate chilled-out location, so head across for an afternoon of hops and more.

Cafe Beermoth Manchester is an eden of ales and pints at Spring Gardens in the city centre. From ageing stouts to a rotating selection of bottles and ten keg lines, the cool venue caters to every kind of beer-lover.

The home of craft beer and food in Manchester, Bundobust is dishing out Indian veggie burgers, paneer tikka and egg burjhis. But drinks don't go unnoticed either, with a cracking selection of pints for all palates. We're talking cask ales, chai cider and rotational keg lines pouring different kinds of brews.

To find your favourite brewery in Manchester, check out our guide to the city's local taprooms and pints. Whether you want home-grown lager or a local craft ale, this list has all the best places to drink.

Formerly The Beer Studio, could you expect anything less than great drinks from here? Snagging their name as one of the best places to drink craft beer in Manchester, this charming favourite is churning out beloved and favoured names, alongside independent bottles.