Are you on the lookout for the most poppin’ Cocktail Bars in Manchester?
Then we have you covered!
On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of the best Cocktail Bars in Manchester. (More in-depth further below)
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Manchester prefers to keep everything close together, from classy rooftop terraces to sports bars, breweries, and basement cocktail bars. We’ve compiled a list of the top bars and restaurants in Manchester city center for unwinding and socializing with colleagues or clients after a hard day. The Nightflow Team personally recommends all of the bars and restaurants on this list.
Pong & Puck
Pong & Puck is a vintage gaming pub where you can drink through beer towers and cocktails inspired by yesteryear tastes. They provide shuffleboard and a bottomless brunch with the city’s only prosecco pong. Manchester’s first prosecco pong bottomless brunch is coming to Great Northern, with unlimited drinks, pizza, and group games! What better way to spend moments with your closest friends than group games, pizza, and unlimited drinks? Pong & Puck’s new bottomless brunch is the city’s first to feature prosecco pong! This fantastic brunch bargain will be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-2 pm and on Wednesdays from 5-7:30 pm. Choose your tipple first, from frozés, prosecco, Hooch cans, and more significant, to The Gooch and Wham Wham cocktails.
If you’ve reserved a table at Pong & Puck, you’ll have 20 minutes to play beer pong or prosecco pong. When ready, select your pizza and enjoy two hours of unlimited beverages! Pizza and focaccia are available, with toppings such as pepperoni and vegan Margherita. Tickets are £35 per person for indoors with games and £30 for outside with no games. Pong & Puck, a new vintage gaming bar, allows patrons to “drink, play, and party” with beer pong, prosecco board, shuffleboard, and table tennis! Settle into a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by neon lights and enjoy drinks like ‘Holy Puck,’ the Simmer Down and Pucker Up sharer, and ‘WHAM! WHAM!’. Unleash some old-school fun with vivid gaming tables, bookable pods, expertly chosen beverages, and music from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
Step into our charming realm and add a little energy to your evening, from beer and prosecco pong to shuffleboard and table tennis. Pong & Puck is ready to provide you and your friends with a fun and competitive night out. Join them at Great Northern Warehouse in the heart of the city. Are you organizing a night out, a workplace gathering, or a group reunion? Then you have come to the correct place. Choose what you want, show up, let their pleasant staff explain all the regulations, and let the games begin! All the beverages, all the pizza! More information and reservations may be made at the official bar website. The employees and the atmosphere were fantastic; we couldn’t fault anything. However, the prices were exorbitant. £10 to book a beer pong table, and an additional 20+ for beverages! So, this is one of the best bars in Manchester.
The Blues Kitchen Manchester
The Blues Kitchen Manchester is a bustling spot on Quay Street; Blues Kitchen is an American-inspired restaurant bar promising bourbon cocktails and delicious food. Alongside their edible offerings, the venue hosts nightly live music from big bands and solo performers. It is a dedicated blues bar serving hickory-smoked comfort food, plus regular live music & DJs. Restaurant, pub, and club featuring the most terrific blues, soul, and funk in Manchester, with live music every night till late. Club nights featuring DJs and musicians play into the early hours every Friday and Saturday. The bar and restaurant provide barbecue, burgers, and drinks, and it has the city’s largest selection of Bourbons, Whiskeys, and Rye. The Blues Kitchen offers Manchester a bit of southern soul by serving meaty Texan BBQ and blues music.
They have vintage music posters imported from Nashville, light fixtures made from gramophones, a 1950s airstream caravan, and luxury leather-style booths. Not to mention that Mud Morganfield, The Jim Jones Revue, Norman Jay, and Andrew Weatherall have all performed here, making The Blues Kitchen feel like it has been there forever. With all American favorites on the menu, including the most epic burgers, lobsters, and mac n’ cheese, The Blues Kitchen will have your tummy singing a happier tune. Everything about the lunch was perfect: the cuisine, the service, and the beverages. To begin, we got chicken wings (the most incredible wings I’ve ever eaten) and ribs, both of which were delicious. My companion selected a wonderfully cooked steak, and I had the shrimp salad and mac & cheese, all of which were fantastic.
We were so thrilled with the experience that we stayed all night for drinks and even relocated to the bar, where there was live music and more cocktails. All night, cocktails were £5!!! I can’t wait to return to eat even more of the delectable cuisine – thank you for the most lovely night blues restaurant! What a great new addition to the Manchester scene! The food and drinks were excellent – I had the BBQ ribs, which were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. It’s £5 cocktails on Wednesdays too, so I tried a delicious pear old-fashioned and an espresso martini. Service was also excellent; everyone was polite and attentive. There was a mix-up with one dish not arriving, and the manager came over to apologize, even though we weren’t unhappy. The portions were so generous we were glad the universe reduced ours over ordering!
Las Iguanas Deansgate
Las Iguanas Deansgate has flame-grilled Latin American dishes and shared plates in a contemporary chain dining room. This Latin American-inspired watering hole is a breath of fresh air, fronting low atmospheric lighting, lively music, and cocktails starting at just £6. Our tip? Get your lips around their caipirinhas, which they claim to be the best this side of the Atlantic. Las Iguanas on Deansgate offers a piece of Latin life, with an abundance of fantastic fresh Latin American meals on the menu and a famed drink selection. The Manchester Deansgate restaurant is excellent for celebrating with friends or family or finding a peaceful nook for two. Every day, coolers and drinks are 2 for 1; meet you at the bar! Choose a main course and enjoy unlimited drinks, prosecco, and draught beer. Celebrate Latin American flavors.
Life has a specific rhythm across Latin America. Taste meals from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Cuba, and other countries. So, notify the server if you have an allergy or food intolerance so that the culinary crew is informed and can assist you with any questions. Their online menu includes allergen information. For each dish, click the blue symbol. Please remember that they cannot guarantee that any product is entirely free of allergens. Outside tables may be reserved, but please phone or email your local office to confirm availability and amenities. It is essential to remember that not all of their outside spaces are covered or have heaters; if you reserve a table outdoors, they may not be able to transfer you inside the building if the weather is wet or cold, so pack appropriate apparel.
Credit card information will be required to secure your online booking. There will be no upfront fee, but if you do not honor or cancel your appointment, you will be charged £5 per person. They request that you provide them as much warning as possible, and at least 12 hours, of any cancellations or changes in numbers. You can cancel by following the instructions in your booking confirmation email or by emailing/calling the restaurant directly with your reservation information. A deposit may be required for phone reservations. A deposit may be required to secure your table for select party reservations. You will receive a full refund if you cancel your reservation more than 48 hours before your reservation. Diners that do not show up will not be refunded.
Sunset By Australasia
Sunset By Australasia is an Asian-influenced small & big plates, afternoon tea & signature cocktails in charming surroundings. Offering masterfully blended Asian-fusion dishes and an exotic cocktail selection, Sunset by Australasia is an indulgent retreat in the city’s heart with a décor that transports you to faraway shores. You’ve probably seen the sumptuous interiors of Sunset by Australasia on your Instagram feed. Think pink velvet seats, weird overhanging lighting on an outdoor patio, and plenty of lovely flora. Get ready to go to one of Manchester’s top bars, Spinningfields, for plenty of trademark drinks. Take a deep breath in. Forget about the world and enjoy Sunset by Australasia. They are presently operational. Masterfully blended international flavors pervade their cocktails and beverages, transporting you to other lands.
Every day at noon, they also serve an Exotic Asian-inspired afternoon tea—an absolute must for pampering and unwinding from the worries of the outer world. An excellent range of sunshine-infused sushi and delectably light Asian fusion meals provide an opulent touch to the all-day dining menu. At Sunset, you may celebrate your graduation in style! Celebrate with bubbles, bento, and photographs in front of Manchester’s most photographed flower walls at Sunset. They will set up their dream…’ wall for the ultimate graduation memories, and all graduates dining with them will get a glass of fizz with their compliments. You only get one chance to graduate, so make it at Sunset. Sunset by Australasia is the ideal location for your private event or celebration; for more information, please contact the staff at sunset@australasia.uk.com.
The scene is a perfect, beautiful ambiance and pink surroundings. We sat on the patio, and I had the sushi rolls. It was a fun experience, and I had good vibes. We reserved a table for two hours (we were not in a hurry to go after two hours and could have stayed longer). There was a great environment with wonderful music being played by a DJ. Aslam, our host, was fantastic; he was professional and entertaining! He ensures that everyone has a pleasant night. The drinks were also delicious. It was our first trip to Australasia, and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere is stunning, and the service is excellent. Everyone was courteous. He took great care of us and was attentive. The cuisine was delicious; we started with sushi and then moved on to various significant courses from the grill. We also enjoyed some great drinks.
Dirty Martini Manchester
Dirty Martini creates an outstanding cuisine using an arsenal of ingredients. There are many martinis, other trademark concoctions, and a superb tasting menu of small dishes or sharing boards. This cocktail bar promises to make you smile from ear to ear. It’s ideal for group nights out or casual drinks. Dirty Martini, elegant decor, custom cocktails, and late-night DJs are the ideal destination for any celebration or after-work beverages. In addition, come ready for the finest happy hour in town. It features half-price martinis & selected cocktails, £15 bottles of house wine, £25 bottles of Prosecco, and £3.50 bottled beer. Dirty Martini is the ideal destination for a celebration or after-work drinks, with their gorgeous handmade martinis and cocktails, stylish surroundings, and late-night party DJs.
Experience the town’s happiest hour with half-price martinis, £12.50 bottles of wine, £20 bottles of Prosecco, and £3.50 bottled beer and cider. Dirty Martini established its first northern location in Manchester. Expect the Manchester venue’s signature sleek and eccentric decor; think gold, silver, and plenty of glitters. Martinis will be the centerpiece of the cocktail menu, with 12 varieties ranging from Blueberry & Lavender to Blood Orange & Vanilla. Dirty Martini offers a delectable food selection to complement your Martini. Dirty Martini, known for its energetic elegance, delivers stunning, handmade cocktails, glamorous decor, and a vibrant environment for a fantastic night. Let them make your next event unforgettable, from glittering birthdays to sophisticated business events, exquisite engagement parties, or small soirees.
Dirty Martini is well-known for its famed happy hour, which runs all day Sunday from 3 pm to 8 pm. Monday till Thursday, 12 pm to 8 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, half-price Martinis, £20 bottles of prosecco, £12.50 bottles of wine, and £3.50 beers are available. Martinis are what they do best, from dragon fruit and pomegranate to an essential espresso. A personalized martini reception starts at £4.50 per person. From £25 per person, learn the art of mixing with a cocktail workshop conducted by professional bartenders. Delicious meal bundles start at £15 per person. With private areas from 20 – 250, if there’s one thing Dirty Martini knows how to do, it’s how to celebrate in style. Choose fabulous drinks packages from £50 to get your celebrations off to a spirited start. COCKTAIL MAKING – Dirty Martini offers the following Christmas cocktail masterclasses. Enjoy a cocktail masterclass for just £30 per person.
El Capo
El Capo has Mexican and Latin American dishes, plus a tequila menu, in a casual, bare-brick space with a tiled bar. If tequila is your favorite drink of choice, you won’t want to miss El Capo. This NQ watering place serves frozen margaritas and other mezcal-laced cocktails for your drinking enjoyment and a Day of the Dead-themed dance floor to escape to. Tequila twisted drinks, street-style finger food, and Hip Hop ‘n’ soul bring Mexico and Manchester together. El Capo is a tequila bar located in the center of the Northern Quarter that serves your favorite Mexican-inspired meals, including burritos, tacos, and wings! The ground-level tequila bar is ideal for a casual drink, or you may retreat to the underground restaurant for a more private dining experience. Take advantage of their daily specials, such as Tacos, for days every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tequila Thursdays, as well as their late-night happy hour, runs every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 pm. Their tequila and mezcal variety is unrivaled! You’ll likely discover your favorite agave-based goodies among the roughly 70 bottles behind the bar. Live hip-hop DJs offer the music to your night out on the weekends – dancing and tequila shots are encouraged! You may now rent out their tiny private basement for birthdays, private parties, work doos, corporate celebrations, weddings, and other special occasions. With a capacity of 35 and a range of food and beverage options, this Mexican-inspired location may be ideal for you! Don’t hesitate to contact them at info@elcaponq.co.uk for more information. Very accommodating to our large group of 20 – we were all very excited to visit and were not disappointed!
The food and cocktails were great, and a DJ was on until 3 am, so we stayed all night! The atmosphere was fantastic, with everyone having a wonderful time and courteous service set the tone, and the cuisine was incredible, not to mention the beverages! We visited on a Friday, which was the total price, but the serving sizes were still really affordable. The chicken taco was delicious, and I asked if my margarita could be spicy, which they gladly did, and they went the extra mile with this red salt on the rim, which tasted amazing. Thank you to all the staff, bartenders, and cooks for making this a wonderful place. The total was under £50 for a bunch of tacos, two appetizers, loaded nachos, and beverages.
Revolución De Cuba Manchester
Revolución De Cuba, situated in the heart of Deansgate, is an incredible Latin-style bar that is effortlessly trendy and informal. With live music and delectable frozen drinks, ceiling fans and high tables combine to offer a terrific eating and drinking experience—the best rum in the world and Manchester’s biggest fiesta. Just off Deansgate, there are two levels of dancing, Latin-inspired restaurants, and live music. You’ve made it to Havana. Cocktails, tapas, and rum, right in the middle of the city, seem like a world away. Head downstairs to the Havana Club Room for late-night revelry, or try the finest rums from around the world at their exclusive rum bar. Relax with tapas and beverages at the Cuban cocktail bar upstairs for leisurely lunches, after-work drinks, or a special supper.
You may go from Deansgate to Latin flavors at the Cuban restaurant in only a few feet. Escape the mundane and locate the ideal location to turn today into a fiesta. Cuba is home to several of the world’s most renowned, inventive, and intoxicating cocktails. A seminar will help you become a cocktail, Maestro. Begin this year on the right foot. Live music, sharing food, beverages, and extraordinary details. Celebrate your birthday the Cuban way. It’s difficult to imagine, but Christmas was prohibited in Cuba from 1968 until 1997. That means we have 29 years to make up for lost partying. Find a party location and plan a Cuban Christmas party. In the heart of Manchester, Revolución de Cuba is one of the city’s most oversized bars and restaurants, with two floors of dancing, Latin-inspired eating, great drinks, and live entertainment.
With various function spaces accommodating groups ranging from 10 to 1,000, Revolución de Cuba is the ideal venue to drink, dine, and celebrate any occasion! The Cubans know how to throw the most fabulous fiesta in town. This location specializes in corporate events ranging from meetings and training sessions to product launches, post-conference gatherings, business celebrations, and the all-important summer and Christmas parties. “It is not the story of one individual,” says Revolución De Cuba. Or only one bar. Or only one spirit. It’s the story of a group of rum enthusiasts who realized that taking on this spirit meant capturing it. And that doing so would lead to a discovery of cuisine, drink, and culture on the island of Cuba, one of the world’s most exciting and intriguing locations.” Artwork plays a significant role in the British metropolis.
Cane And Grain
Cane And Grain boast itself as a hip New York-style rib, burger, and cocktail bar with three themed levels. Cane & Grain is worth a visit for its delicious ribs, superb bourbon, and unique drinks. Check out their skull stein sharers with robust mixtures to make those after-work cocktails more delectable. The Rib Joint & Tap Room present on the ground level is a laid-back hangout with an homage to the skate scene of the 1980s. The bar offers a wide variety of bourbon, specialty beer, and ribs. The Rib Joint & Tap Room is on Cane & Grain’s ground level. The ground floor bar pays homage to the site’s previous owner, renowned skate store and free-party venue, Cast, with its famous 80s skate posters, wall of skate deck tiles, and limited edition David Bowie skate deck (given pride of place on its wall).
From 12 to 10 pm, you can get the most incredible ribs in town and some excellent burgers and American sides like Texas Pit Beans, Burnt Ends, Popcorn Shrimp, and Shoestring Fries. Every night, the bar is available until 2 am; be warned, the celebration may become a little rowdy. A complete beverages menu is available, with a focus on craft beer. There are a variety of taps, bottles, and cans, with a concentration on items from the United States and a few favorites from the United Kingdom and throughout the world. Those seeking something more substantial may appreciate the bar’s extensive bourbon selection. The owners traveled to Tennessee to get their barrel of 150th Anniversary JD Single Barrel! The cocktail menu is limited but beautifully crafted, focusing on whiskey and rum!
It’s been a roller coaster ride of skateboards, stuffed squirrels, bamboo, and, of course, rum, ribs, bourbon, and beer, but Cane & Grain is now open with three levels, each with a distinct vibe. If you’re searching for lunch and a beer, take a seat on the ground level at the Rib Joint and dig in. Everything on the menu is exceptional, but the beef short ribs and gin-infused watermelon salad are the best. On the first level, head to Science & Industry for a refined drink meticulously prepared by one of Cane & Grains’ best bartenders. With only seated drinking permitted up there, phone ahead if you don’t want to miss out; finally, head to the third floor’s The Liars Lounge for a zombie-fueled Tiki party. Cheeky Tiki’s lads have done Cane & Grain well!
Salt Dog Slim’s Manchester
Salt Dog Slim’s is a dive bar off Bow Lane in Manchester City Center. Bringing steins, brines, and good times to the city! Salt Dog Slims is up with the top bars in Manchester city center. If you want to avoid the lines, there are handcrafted drinks, excellent music, pool tables, a menu of American-inspired nibbles, and a beer vending machine. Salt Dog Slims is an emporium of world beers, bespoke cocktails, and American-style chili dogs. A bar built by bartenders for you, the guests, and they love sharing our passion for drinks, food, and music together. Get to Salt Dog Slims Manchester for steins, brines, and good times until late! Get on your dancing shoes. Whether it’s a drinks table, a cocktail masterclass, or maybe something a bit more bespoke, they have covered you! Salt Dog Slim’s has arrived in Manchester, bringing international beers, creative cocktails, and hot dogs.
Skip the line and get a beer from their vending machine, stocked with various beers, including their own Alabama Slim beer. Signing the graffiti wall is another way to make your imprint. Do you want to do something? Grab a cue and play some pool. Salt Dog Slim provides plenty of booths and bookable places for large groups. Salt Dog Slims is a dingy bar in the heart of Manchester City Center, located on Bow Lane. The pub is well-known for its extensive selection of foreign beers, custom drinks, and American-style chili dogs. Forget queuing at the bar; Salt Dog Slims has a beer vending machine. The graffiti wall is on standby for partygoers to make their imprint. The location is ideal for large groups with dozens of booths and bookable places.
Salt Dog Slims, located on Bow Lane, just off Cross Street in the heart of Manchester City Center, is the ideal late-night party location, playing great indie/rock songs chosen by skilled bartenders. The pub has its pool table and vending machine, and you can leave your imprint on the graffiti wall! The facility is excellent, free pool, free arcade games (I love some Street Fighter), excellent beverages, and THE HOTDOGS ARE DELICIOUS, especially the Big Mac Hotdog, which is good. Most importantly, the employees. Ritch (or Danny, whatever he likes) and the squad that night were AMAZING. Professional, attentive, and quick service; everything was spotless; they were like ninjas removing those glasses; they were highly hilarious and inviting.
Flight Club Manchester
Flight Club Manchester is the home of unexpected, absurd delight and the origin of Social Darts. Flight Club has redefined darts for the twenty-first century by creating various fast-paced, multiplayer activities to bring people together. But it’s not only about darts; it’s also about having fun! Located on King Street, Flight Club Manchester features a beautiful bar perfect for lunch, brunch, and cocktail catch-ups! This bar is one of the best in Manchester for a first date or just hanging out with friends. Flight Club has 14 booking places, as well as a selection of pizza slices and drinks slushies to eat in between games. Flight Club Manchester is no exception to the team’s reputation for bringing people together for unexpected, ludicrous fun.
They’ve turbocharged the classic game of darts for the twenty-first century by designing quick and thrilling multiplayer games and combining excellent food and beverages to create a social experience unlike any other, fittingly titled ‘Social Darts.’ The décor brilliantly mixes the legacy of the British pub with the fun of the carnival with a distinctive twist and, of course, a homage to Manchester’s background, with lights that dance to the music, fairground horses, and stained glass windows. There are 14 inches (darts playing areas) to choose from, so whether you go head-to-head at the throw line or wish to sit back with friends and enjoy the vibrant scene at the bar, there’s plenty of room. And, with a delectable menu of seasonally inspired shared plates, pizza paddles, and delectable creative drinks (alcoholic slushies, anyone? ), it’s a winner for any occasion!
Social darts are played at Flight Club. They’ve turbocharged the basic darts game by designing quick and thrilling multiplayer games to provide a social experience unlike any other for parties of 3 to 300. Flight Club Manchester’s décor magnificently mixes the tradition of darts, the pub, and the fairground, with a distinctive twist and is new to the city’s bustling social scene this Autumn. Whether searching for a new lunch place, holding a team party, or simply meeting up with friends over a glass at the bar, this fantastic facility on King Street is ideal for any occasion. It has everything you need to start an exciting social journey, including a variety of private and semi-private event spaces, a stunning bar, and mouth-watering cuisine of shared dishes, pizza paddles, and delectable specialty slushy drinks. Book today to dine, drink, dance, and play your game!
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Conclusion
We make it our mission to sample and taste test across town so you don’t spend a second of your free time on bad beers or drinks. Looking for something to do? The Blues Kitchen, with its house band playing most evenings and a great selection of beers, wines, cocktails, and soft drinks, might be exactly up your alley. Bundobust and Seven Bro7thers always have local breweries on tap. If you’re looking for cocktails, look no farther than The Alchemist, The Jane Eyre, or Three Little Words.