Manchester nightlife – it’s the stuff of legend. For decades it has been at the forefront of pioneering new scenes, and the iconic Hacienda nightclub of the 1980s and 1990s was hugely influential in growing the popularity of dance music around the world. This city has a history of innovation – and right now the amazing bars that are honed and developed here merit genuine recognition for their vibrancy and passion: it’s a scene all of its own.
Hundreds of thousands of people go out to socialise in Manchester in the evening every year, week-in week-out, and for good reason. Many of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods have become cultural hubs with a unique identity and, more than ever before, bars will cater for every kind of taste, whim, want and need you can imagine. Here is our pick of the best.
THE REFUGE
Located in a landmark Victorian building on Oxford Street, designed by nineteenth-century architect Alfred Waterhouse, this bar and restaurant (within a revamped grand hotel) is simply stunning. It’s worth a visit for the opulent decor alone – its vast floor space seems to go on forever and entering The Refuge feels like just that: an inviting escape from the endless bustle of the roads outside, and perhaps even a blissful escape from your own busy mind. Indulgence is the name of the game – top-class DJs spin tunes here, the food is magnificent should you choose to eat (the small plates are superb), the wine list and cocktails are curated with dedication and knowledge, and while the ambiance is undeniably vibrant and atmospheric, there is always space to relax. A fairy-light-lit courtyard adds to the appeal.
10 TIB LANE
If you want character and charm with cutting-edge flair, look no further than 10 Tib Lane. Lovingly restored by expert local restaurateurs, this tall and narrow Grade II-listed building tucked away near Albert Square is a leap of the imagination: you could be in a hip backstreet bar in New York, you could have travelled back in time to Victorian London. Make no mistake though, this is the best of modern Manchester. It’s a welcoming place with a plenty of options for evening entertainment: you can go for a drink with friends (the cocktail list is seriously creative) and listen to a perfectly-pitched soundtrack, depending of the time of day and prevailing mood, or indulge in the French-bistro style menu of superb small plates; the intimate dining areas over three floors are usually groaning with satisfied squeals of delight.
SPEAK IN CODE
This classic speakeasy (an intimate bar with a somewhat ‘hidden’ entrance) is a firm favourite with Manchester locals, ,and any visitors to the city who are lucky enough to find it. There is a sense of discovery and exclusivity here, and once inside you are richly rewarded – the decor is stylish, the atmosphere is cosy, and the bartenders make amazingly inventive cocktails. Speak In Code actually built its early reputation while starting out as a ‘pop up’, but since finding a more permanent home of its own on Jackson’s Row (just off Deansgate), it has become firmly established for its honest, transparent ethos, and high-quality service.
THE JANE EYRE
Bang in the middle of the ultra-hip Ancoats district, The Jane Eyre (named after the Victorian literary classic by Charlotte Bronte) is one of Manchester’s finest bars. Situated in Cutting Room Square, it’s insanely popular – human traffic in and out is pretty constant, and it’s no wonder. The vibe is relaxed and has something of a community feel; even if you don’t know another soul in there, you’ll probably feel like you do. The music and service are of the highest quality, with bartenders often praised for their skill and creativity, while the expertly curated selection of wines and craft beers keep even the most discerning customers happy. As you’d expect, food is also a big standout – especially the charcuterie board and cheese selection.
HAWKSMOOR
Back in the heart of the city centre, strictly speaking Hawksmoor is a top-class restaurant – in fact it’s the go-to place for a plate of steak. But with its incredible cocktail list and a strikingly handsome bar, it’s a magnet for those who want a relaxing drink in a relaxing, low-lit setting. The staff look immaculately smart, and it all adds to the film-set feeling. Couples often speak about Hawksmooor being the perfect place to start off a ‘date night’.
GORILLA
Life-affirming music par excellence is par for the course in Manchester, and Gorilla is one of its best live venues – so come sample the special atmosphere with a visit to its buzzing bar, which is hidden nicely among Whitworth Street’s antiquated railway arches. It’s a vibrant place to eat, drink and be merry any day of the week, and with critically-acclaimed indie musicians from all over the world playing here, who knows who you might get talking to.
CLOUD 23
Manchester’s skyline has risen rapidly over the past decade – so much in fact that its glass-and-steel horizon is sometimes colloquially known as ‘Manchatten’ (in cross-reference to the iconic Manhattan skyscrapers of New York). The best place to fully appreciate this lofty atmosphere, so to speak, is the appropriately-named Cloud 23 – a 23rd-floor bar in the Beetham Tower, which is now just one of many imposingly tall buildings across the city. Through floor to ceiling windows, the panoramic views really are stunning, especially on a crystal-clear sunny day when you can see far into the distance, right across to Lancashire and North Wales, and especially at night, when the Manchester metropolis is a majestic glowing blanket for miles all around. The ‘sky’ bar is utterly vibrant: permanently buzzing with people celebrating all manner of special occasions, while the signature cocktails are notoriously decadent, the Champagne selection extensive, and revellers enjoying the Afternoon Tea experience often continue beyond. Advanced reservations during peak times are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted – if there are still any prized tables available.
Manchester is the epitome of an upwardly mobile and modern British city, with a bar scene to match: eclectic, adventurous, cool, raucous, sophisticated, intimate, the list goes on. In fact, with so much choice it can be anything you want it to be. If it’s elegant and intimate dinner drinks with a small group of friends, no problem. If it’s a wild night out with late-night dancing on the agenda, no problem. If it’s anything in between, or an unpredictable blend of both, you’ll be in the right place. Manchester has it.
