From Deansgate to the city centre, Manchester’s nightlife has plenty of fun, unique hotspots to try. Whether you’re looking for somewhere special to dance the night away or you’re after a quiet nightcap while you chat with friends, the best bars in Manchester promise some fun times with great drinks and food.
Head above the city for bottomless spritzes on a leafy rooftop, or stick to sea level with a Japanese-Mexican fusion bar serving smooth sake. Dive down to the ocean floor at an elegant bar and restaurant, or soak up the sunshine on a rooftop garden. A cosy kitchen serves up soul music, southern-style wings and superb cocktails, while a classic cocktail bar has a unique drink pairing option. An underground bank vault hosts live music and an extensive cocktail menu, while a traditional tapas bar is the perfect spot for your next fiesta. Try seasonal food paired with boutique wines, classic Asian street eats with bubbling cocktails or simply focus on the drinks. Wherever you go in Manchester, there’s an excellent bar waiting for you.
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The best bars in Manchester – read on for a guide
For one of the best bars in Manchester with stunning views – visit 20 Stories Restaurant in Manchester
Head up to the 19th floor of No1 Spinningfields and take in the panoramic views of Manchester from 20 Stories Restaurant. With floor-to-ceiling windows and trees reaching up two storeys, this bright, airy restaurant is the perfect summer destination. With plenty of seating options including set tables and relaxed lounge areas, you can pop by for a relaxed round of drinks or sit in for a full meal. Head here on Saturdays for a bottomless brunch set menu with juicy prawns, tender roast chicken and bottomless Aperol spritzes. Aside from a range of spritzes, the cocktail bar also serves up unique concoctions like the vodka, amaretto and strawberry-mint chrysallis fizz or the rough measures with notes of peach, apple and orange sugar. Alternatively, opt for a pint of draught ale, a bottle of crisp cider or a dram from the selection of whiskeys. 20 Stories also offers a refreshing selection of mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits.
For Japanese-Mexican fusion food and drinks – check out Peter Street Kitchen in Manchester
Peter Street Kitchen brings Mexican and Japanese flavours together alongside a menu of delicate sake and robust cocktails. The sleek, elegant interior with marble tables, sake barrels and wooden features under high ceilings is perfect for a relaxed, intimate evening. Pair crispy gyoza tacos, filled with lobster, chilli and cilantro, with peach and raspberry-flavoured martinis, enhanced with a dash of yuzu. A chū hai highball with yuzu sake, citrus flavours and shochu is the perfect match for some signature sashimi or beef tataki. Flaky stone bass from the Mexican grill tastes even better with an ichigo with smoky-sweet notes of strawberry, miso and cognac. The drinks menu also includes several fine wines by the glass, refreshing sake by the carafe and top-quality champagne by the bottle. Meanwhile, the selection of single malt and blended Japanese whisky has something for every palate and the Japanese whisky masterclass takes you through the history and flavours of four of Suntory’s finest bottles.
For one of the best bars in Manchester for live music – check out The Blues Kitchen in Manchester
You’ll find Manchester’s largest collection of whiskey and rye at The Blues Kitchen – Manchester. Part cocktail bar, part diner, with tiled floors, plush booths and warm lighting, this vibrant hotspot is the perfect place for great drinks and comforting eats. Dig into plates of spicy Szechuan chicken wings while you down a pint of Japanese beer or British cider. Alternatively, pair crunchy Cajun popcorn squid with a mezcal fresh cocktail with chilli liqueur and pineapple. Margarita Mondays are the perfect day to visit for a great deal, offering six types of margaritas. Frequent live music and DJ performances and bottomless chicken wings on Sundays help make The Blues Kitchen one of Manchester’s best bars.
For a vibrant setting that’s perfect for special occasions – check out Sexy Fish Manchester in Manchester
Elegant and bold, Sexy Fish Manchester is unlike any other bar in Manchester. Grab a seat at the circular bar under hanging paper fish or grab a seat in the main dining space under towering underwater paintings. The kitchen serves up a creative mix of Japanese-inspired dishes, while the bar mixes up your perfect drink. Add on DJ-curated music, live performances and private dining facilities and Sexy Fish is an easy choice for your next big night out. The UNITY cocktail menu offers a range of creative cocktails, including low-alcohol and alcohol-free options. Try a blend of Yamazaki whisky with apple, white port and coconut, or sip on Everleaf Mountain blended with bergamot and mandarin soda. Alternatively, sip on the sommelier’s selection of wine or enjoy some fruity, aromatic sake.
For one of the best cocktail bars in Manchester – book at SCHOFIELD’S BAR Manchester
Located in the iconic Sunlight House, SCHOFIELD’S BAR is a perfect fit for this stunning Art Deco building. Founded by brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, this charming bar evokes the grandeur and hospitality of classic cocktail bars from the 1930s. Anyone visiting for a relaxed, solo outing will want to peruse the small library, featuring a selection of classic novels, each with a recommended drink pairing. Flip through Ian Fleming’s Casino Royal while enjoying a Vesper martini − shaken, not stirred − or make a start on Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea with a refreshing mojito. Other popular drinks include the ginger, honey and lemon flavoured penicillin and the cherry, sherry and lemon zebra riding club. Pair your drinks with juicy olives or crunchy popcorn and settle in for a relaxed evening.
For drinks out on an all year round terrace – visit The Ivy Roof Garden, Spinningfields in Manchester
The Ivy is one of Manchester’s best-known restaurants, and The Ivy Roof Garden, Spinningfields, is opening its doors (and its retractable roof) to welcome diners looking for cocktails, food and a great atmosphere. Floral-patterned chairs, leafy plants and glowing street lamps create a luxuriously eclectic vibe. Soak up the sunshine during summer and cosy up by the roaring fire pits in winter − this roof garden is a year-round affair. Sip on a bubbling Campari spritz or cool off with a frozen watermelon and strawberry Aperol. For a nightcap, enjoy a rich salted caramel espresso martini or a smooth old fashioned. On the weekends, swing by for brunch with champagne and sparkling bellinis served alongside crispy tempura prawns and fluffy buttermilk pancake. Alternatively, book the afternoon tea and enjoy rich scones, jam-filled doughnuts and pickled cucumber sandwiches with champagne and your choice of tea or coffee.
For one of the best bars in Manchester with a speakeasy vibe – check out STERLING BAR in Manchester
STERLING BAR is bringing back the roaring twenties in a cosy hideaway underneath the Stock Exchange Hotel. The remodelled bank vault with mood lighting and live music creates a fun, speakeasy vibe at this unique cocktail bar. Embrace the historic ambience and order your favourite classic cocktail made with rare, vintage spirits. Alternatively, try one of the Sterling Moonshine options like the bee sting with whisky, honey, apple and bee pollen. The extensive selection of signature cocktails ensures there’ll always be something new to try. For a bite to eat, try some mild oysters with mignonette, crispy Cajun fries with burger sauce or a New York hot dog doused in ketchup and mustard.
For a must-visit tapas bar – book at BAR SAN JUAN in Chorlton
BAR SAN JUAN is a vibrant tapas bar in South Manchester that encourages its diners to embrace Spanish living. The traditional decor with tiled walls and eclectic artwork creates an intimate, cosy vibe, perfect for a laid-back get-together with friends or a casual first date. Enjoy imported Spanish beer with crispy papas bravas or sip on some specialty wine with deep-fried bechamel and ham croquettes. Vegetarian plates include Manchego cheese with refreshing Spanish quince jelly and slow-cooked aubergines topped with creamy goat cheese. Finish off with a dry sherry and some Spanish Manzanilla olives.
For seasonal delights at one of the best bistro bars in Manchester – swing by Higher Ground
Right in the heart of the city centre, Higher Ground is a bar and bistro serving up seasonal flavours and superb drinks. The sleek, industrial-chic dining area includes counter seating in front of the open kitchen so you can watch the chefs create your dishes. The daily-changing menu features seasonal, local ingredients including fresh veggies from the restaurant’s own farm. The kitchen also practices whole-animal butchery so no part of the animal is wasted. On the drinks menu, you’ll find low-intervention wines from small-scale winemakers across Europe. Pair German Riesling with a tender Scottish turbot or an Italian Nebbiolo with a creamy Pitchfork cheddar tart. There are also several unique beers including a sherry-cask aged lambic beer from Belgium and a golden ale finished in a gin barrel from Hertfordshire.
For pan-Asian street food eats and cocktails – book at Suki Suki Street Food & Bar in Deansgate
Enjoy street food favourites and refreshing cocktails at Suki Suki Street Food & Bar. Inspired by bustling markets across Eastern Asia, dine indoors or outdoors in this relaxed, buzzing setting. Perfect for a casual get-together that’s pleasant on the palate and easy on the wallet. Sip on espresso martinis or bubbling fruity cocktails while you dive into a pan-Asian menu of satisfying street-food eats. Think fluffy bao buns with charsui pork or crispy honey and chilli-glazed pork belly. Plates of gyoza and spring rolls are perfect for sharing, and the Korean spicy chicken wings are one of the most popular options.
For one of the best bars in Manchester for a fun night out with a group – try Edison Bar
Have a lightbulb moment at Edison Bar. Wide glass doors open up to let in plenty of light and fresh air during the day while hanging light bulbs bathe it in golden light in the evenings. During the day the kitchen serves up hearty breakfast and lunch meals, and from 3 pm Wednesday to Sunday it transforms into a luxurious cocktail bar with live music performances every Thursday. The extensive selection of spirits crafts fun, creative cocktails, but you can also just order them neat or with some soda mixer. Food service finishes at 3 pm but you can fuel up before your cocktails with a juicy fried chicken burger or a creamy halloumi tortilla wrap.
From cosy bistros to buzzing hotspots, the best bars in Manchester have something for everyone to enjoy. Experienced bartenders whip up unique cocktails while studied sommeliers curate perfect wine pairings. Add on food options like greasy burgers, delicate sashimi and tender roast meats, and your next night out on the town is sorted.
The best bars in Manchester await – secure your spot on OpenTable today
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