Every city has its hidden gems, including when you're looking for a watering hole to head to. From password-only bijou drinking dens to tiny underground rock 'n' roll bars, they're all on our recommended list of secret bars in Manchester. But shhhh, we don't want everyone to know. So let's keep them between ourselves, yeah?
One of the city's best secret spots sits slap-bang in the middle off town. Just off Deansgate, Arcane is all low lighting, exposed brickwork and prohibition-era vibes.
Inside this intimate drinking den, there's all kinds of ways to imbibe. We're talking worldly wine, draught and craft beers, and master mixologists serving up a unique selection of creative cocktails.
Hidden beneath Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter, Behind Closed Doors is a brilliantly debauched basement bar that beautifully blends speakeasy vibes with vintage flair. After buzzing your way in, you'll wind your way down a chandelier-lit staircase to find neon-lit booths, a shopping-trolley DJ deck and retro phones to call the bar.
Inside, you can expect expertly mixed cocktails, a solid wine and beer selection, and the very best boogie, soul and upbeat funk tunes all night long. Add a little extra exclusivity to your evening in the private Penthouse Karaoke room - it packs in up to 18 people all the way through to 4am.
The epitome of a hidden gem, The Fitzgerald is only accessible through a backstreet entrance that leads into its dark, moody interior. Expect the spirit of the speakeasy with its 1920s glassware, vintage furnishings and a well-earned reputation for excellent cocktails.
Whenever you stop by this mysterious drinking den, there's sure to be something to keep you entertained. Head here on a Thursday for burlesque, cabaret, stand-up and theatre shows or get down on Friday and Saturday for amazing live music.
Referred to by locals as 'The Temple of Convenience' due to its former life as a public toilet, this Oxford Road underground bar is a popular hangout with local indie types and musicians (it's one of Guy Garvey's favourites). It's fronting a jukebox, delish beer selection and rock 'n' roll vibes.
@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Monday 23rd March 2026
One of the most quirky hidden bars in Manchester, Alcotraz is bringing together slick sips, secret entrances and smuggling in one fun package. Join the team on Watson street for a night of contraband cocktails and orange jumpsuits in a subterranean prison.
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Just because you think you can wash your underwear here, doesn't mean you can. And if you didn't think this place was whipping up Japanese-inspired cocktails? You'd be wrong. The Washhouse is a sexy, secret laundrette bar in Manchester that's hidden behind a machine-laden exterior.
Discreet? This cool bar has got it covered. From the front, Dusk til Pawn looks like a quirky little pawnshop, but once you step past the façade, prepare to be welcomed into one of the finest and most clandestine bars around.
Hidden cocktail bars in Manchester don't come much better than Evelyn's, a Parisian-inspired haven for coffees and private co-working across the day, but with drinks and music coming out to play at night. Here, you can sip your way through peach tea-infused pisco whipped up from wild strawberry vermouth, lemon, agave and bitters.
Corbieres Wine Cavern is the perfect spot for impressing your friends with your knowledge of Manchester's bar scene. Tucked away unassumingly on King Street, its cave-like roof, oak barrels and low lighting, leave you feeling like you're in on a secret.
Unsurprisingly given the name, the drinks list is all about wine. It packs in a sensational range of French vino, from the super affordable to the amazingly extravagant. There's more up for grabs here too, including the always thirst-quenching Bohemia Lager from the Czech Republic. The icing on the cake? A vintage jukebox packing in rock n roll, indie classics, local bands and everything in between.
A chilled hangout by day and a cool jazz destination by night, Speak in Code is pretty darn hard to find. Tucked away on Jackson's Row, this choice of secret bars in Manchester's Deansgate brings you vegan eats, unique cocktails and live music five nights of the week.
