Sponsored Listings:
Manchester’s nightlife is legendary.
And with a night out ahead, you’re probably going to need a place to stay too – how about one of the coolest hotels in Manchester?
So, in no particular order, here’s our list of some of the best bars in Manchester.
Gin parlours and experimental cocktail bars
1. The Botanist
This inside of this bar is like a funky conservatory with an industrial twist.
The specialty gins come with a bit of herbal infusion, as you’d expect from the bar’s name.
They’ve also got live music every day, as well as a restaurant, and large range of craft beer, cocktails and fizz to try.
The Botanist
2. Elixir Tonics and Treats
You can get smoking gin cocktails and shots on a sharing tree at this experimental bar.
Their poetic menu blends cocktails with quotations, so you’ll get a side slice of culture with your drinks order.
3. Gorilla
The stylish Gin Parlour on the mezzanine level has a small, but diverse, range of world gins to try.
Underneath the curved ceiling, you can sample their own house blends, like buttered gin and homemade syrups, for something different.
4. Allotment Bar
You can get a drink in a watering can at this horticultral Gin palace – it also has more than 60 gins to choose from.
The rustic shed-like interior, with wooden furniture, exposed brickwork and plants, is a nice escape from city life.
Brilliant for: Huge range of gins
Getting there: 24 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1FY
Website and Twitter
5. The Alchemist
Part lab, part cocktail bar, expect your drink to come with some added flourishes, like changing colours, temperatures and smoke.
They’ve also got another venue on New York Street, and both bars have outdoor terraces – a good choice for summer.
Hidden speakeasies and basement bars
6. The Fitzgerald
Once you’ve found the hidden entrance, head upstairs into this moodily-lit drinking den for some classic 1920s cocktails.
The Fitzgerald
7. The Smithfield Social
Bluu’s “secret” basement bar underwent a refurbishment in February 2016 and now opens to 2am.
They’ve only got a small list of drinks to choose from, but they’re all done well.
8. The Gas Lamp
Venture down the stairs to this underground bar and you’ll be rewarded with a large range of beer to choose from.
Small, with white-tiled walled, what it lacks for in glamour it more than makes up for character.
Brilliant for: Subterranean supping
Getting there: 50A Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BW
Twitter
9. The Washhouse
Visiting this place takes a little bit of planning ahead, if you’re not booked in, you won’t get in.
If you like secret entrances and passwords, you’ll love airing your dirty laundry at this speakeasy.
Bars with a view
10. Cloud 23 Bar
Get your glad rags on and take the express lift up to Manchester’s highest bar in the famous Beetham Tower.
You’ve got floor to window ceilings to gaze out of while you sip a glass of fizz, or try one of their in-house cocktails like the gin-based Stratospheric.
11. Epernay
Their glass lounge and balcony overlooks the busy Deansgate area, so you can people watch while you work your way through the extensive champagne list.
There’s a seasonal cocktails menu, so you can get some winter warmers when its cold and fruitier numbers for the summer months.
12. Manchester House – Lounge on Tower 12
While the fine dining restaurant here is deemed one of the city’s best, their sister cocktail lounge also stands on its own two feet.
Watch the sun go down over Manchester from the terrace and there’s a DJ to keep the ambience upbeat until the early hours.
Brilliant for: Skyline views of the city
Getting there: 18-22 Bridge Street, Spinningfields,
Manchester, M3 3BZ
Website and Twitter
Playground Terrace
13. Rooftop Playground
The Great John Street hotel was once a school, and this south-facing rooftop terrace bar overlooks the former boys’ playground.
While hotel residents can have access to some of the exclusive features, like sun lounges and a hot tub, the rest of the roof garden is open for you to go and have a drink in the open-air.
Themed and concept cocktail bars
Walrus
14. Walrus
This well-established Beatles-inspired cocktail bar is known for its laidback atmosphere, straightforward food selection and great value cocktails.
You can listen to some top DJs at the weekend, and they also have live music and acoustic events, although they haven’t unearthed the next Fab Four yet.
Cocktails at The Walrus
15. 17 Below
This “secret” 80s themed basement bar, tucked away underneath the Dogs “n” Dough bar, will take you back to the decade of the new romantics and Pacman.
Only open four nights a week (Wednesday-Saturday), you can try your hand at some of the large arcade games or have a few rounds of pool.
Hula in Manchester
16. Hula
This fun and spacious Tiki Bar has all the cocktail classics you’d expect, with Pina Coladas, Mai Tais and Mojitos prominent.
With DJ sets every night, this is a party bar to come and let your hair down and dance the night away.
Brilliant for: Tropical cocktails
Getting there: 11 Stevenson Square, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1DB *They also have a venue in Disdbury)
Website and Twitter
Cocktails in Hula
17. Albert’s Schloss
This Bohemian Pleasure Palace is the place to enjoy your own German beer experience – they’ve even got some Oktoberfest-style benches to park up at (or even dance on).
You can try the Bavarian food or the Pilsner straight from the Tankovna, while some of the booths have a “push for Prosecco” button should you want to hit the bubbles.
18. The Molly House
You can find a huge range of ales, stouts and beers from local breweries at this fun and relaxed bar.
There are different rooms to try, like the comfy Bordello or if the weather’s nice – take your drinks out onto the Veranda (if it’s not nice they’ll have the covers up and heating on).
Hotel bars and lounges
Mr Cooper’s Bar
19. Mr Cooper’s House and Garden
This bar and restaurant, at one of Manchester’s most famous hotels, is built on a former garden, and the cocktail menu reflects its roots.
They’ve got an extensive premium spirit range, especially when it comes to whisky and gin.
20. Club Brass Roof Terrace
Hotel Gotham is one of the newest and exclusive bars in Manchester – but it’s also a private members club.
The good news is, you can head into the inner sanctum if you’re staying at the hotel.
Brilliant for: Stylised views
Getting there: Club Brass, Hotel Gotham, 100 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WU
Website and Twitter
Drinks with a view (c) Hotel Gotham
Restaurant cocktail bars
21. Hawksmoor
The Hawksmoor restaurant group is famous for serving up some of the best steaks and beef dishes in the country – and their cocktails are also highly regarded.
Their playful menu groups the cocktails together into themes, like cards and cigars and disco drinks, so you can find the perfect pairing, whether you’ve just finished dinner or arriving to start the evening.
Hawskmoor in Manchester
22. Cane & Grain
While you can get your fill of ribs in the downstairs skater-themed restaurant, the first floor bar is also a slice of Americana, with cocktails the specialty.
The Liars Club lounge at the top is Tiki-themed, with a smaller selection of cocktails available in the bright bar.
Arty bars
23. Odd Bar
You can get a good range of classic cocktails, along with some more random in-house creations at this relaxed Northern Quarter bar.
Later in the evening, the DJs take to the decks, with Friday’s more hip hop and R&B, while Saturdays is where you’ll get your House tunes.
They also have an art gallery, with local artists featured and you can buy the paintings from the bar.
24. Ply
A lot of people simply come to this bar for the pizzas, but even these have a twist, cooked in an imported Neapolitan mirror-tiled oven.
However they do have a fine range of cocktails and craft beers to try while you admire the artwork.
They also hold events in their gallery, including clothes swaps, art shows and beer pairing among others.
Brilliant for: Getting a pizza of the cocktail action
Getting there: 26 Lever Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1DW
Website and Twitter
25. Kosmonaut
Popular with the after-work crowd thanks to its week-night happy hour deals, this is a chilled-out venue to hang out in the day and then party at night.
There’s quizzes, live music, meet-ups and other events going on throughout the week.
Discover more about Manchester
Bankers Suite. Image by Mark Leeming courtesy of Hotel Gotham in Manchester
Manchester is one of the most popular weekend destinations in the UK – so don’t go for the day, stay the night – here’s more Manchester hotels to tempt you.
You’ll also need something to do in the day as well as a night if you’re staying for the weekend – we’ve found 25 things to do in Manchester to keep you entertained.
And while these bars are brilliant, there’s much to be said for a good old fashioned pub – especially if you get to meet some of the four-legged friends who live there – meet Manchester’s pub dogs.
Canal Street. Image via Marketing Manchester
Tell us about your trip
We’d love to hear where your favourite bars in Manchester are. Share your supping spots with us by leaving a comment below.
Source: lastminute.com