The best cocktail bars in Manchester

The Black Friar stood empty and unloved for almost 20 years before reopening in summer 2021 after a substantial renovation project. Now a modern British restaurant and a traditional pub, it has established a reputation for hearty, thoughtful, home-made dishes that keep people coming back.

Suki Suki Street Food & Bar is a Pan-Asian street food bar located on Deansgate under the arches of the Great Northern Warehouse.

Bar Shrimp is the third opening from the Higher Ground and Flawd team, a seafood bar with an emphasis on DJ nights, cocktails, and a menu designed for grazing rather than full-on dining. With moody lighting, a hip clientele, and a self-stated goal to create an ‘immersive sonic identity’, it’s a fashion-forward kind of place, and priced accordingly.  

The name for Blinker Bar comes from a forgotten classic three-ingredient cocktail made from rye, grapefruit and raspberry. It’s this curious collection of ingredients that inspired ex-Gordon Ramsay bars boss Dan Berger to create a menu that changes seasonally but still honours the classics.

Like the interloping bird that gives it its name, Cuckoo was an odd-one-out when it first opened in Prestwich back in 2013. Since then a whole flock of likeminded, indie cafe-bars have landed in this suburb, but Cuckoo is still the favourite for many.

Dear Sailor is a reclusive bar but once inside, it’s no shrinking violet. It’s the sort of place where you could come in for a pre-dinner cocktail and end up dancing on the tables.

Finders Keepers, a quayside bar at Islington Marina is the perfect sunny day spot. Its thoughtful seasonal cocktails are the main draw with interesting ingredients, such as pear and vanilla ice cream and kumquat, that set them apart from the million Porn Star Martinis doing the rounds.

The Fitzgerald, appropriately enough, channels those Great Gatsby vibes with its vintage stylings, and its 1920s glassware sets off the cocktails beautifully.

The first Hawksmoor steakhouse outside of London is a confident affair. Well sourced steak and attention to detail have created a place like no other.

Serving up city centre-standard cocktails in the suburbs, Henry C is a cosy neighbourhood bar in Chorlton with a heavy New Orleans influence.

The Jane Eyre is a self-styled ‘neighbourhood bar’ offering seasonal food, classic cocktails and local beers. Presided over by Eyre siblings Jonny and Joe, it is, mildly disappointingly, not a Gothic homage to the Yorkshire based tragic-heroine but actually named after their late mum. 

Lost In Tokyo is a Japanese basement bar on Stevenson Square. This Far East drinking den serves some far out cocktails inspired by travels to Japan and also has an extensive list of some of the best Japanese whiskies around.

The Morris is an unassuming name for what is one of the Northern Quarter’s best cocktail bars. It doesn’t have a throbbing late night energy but it is a place of many attractions. Downstairs is outdoor seating and a pubby bar area. A place for a pint of Guinness and a bag of crisps. Upstairs is a cocktail lounge in retro orange with stylish serves in nice glassware. Above that is a perfectly-formed private hire space.

On the Hush is a popular Northern Quarter cafe bar, winning awards for its bottomless brunch. Loyal customers and visitors to Manchester love its colourful style, imaginative cocktails and casual all-day food offering.

Fans of hit restaurant 10 Tib Lane will be keen to check out Posie – a new smaller-scale venue from the same team. It’s more cocktail bar than restaurant but with a three-course menu of small plates, you won’t be left to fill up on olives and nuts if you turn up hungry.

Various prestigious best bar gongs have been awarded to Schofield’s Bar since it opened in Quay Street’s iconic Art Deco Sunlight House in 2021. The most recent being the number one spot in the 2024 Top 50 Cocktail Bar list.

Finding itself resting in the top 20 of the top 50 cocktail bars in the whole of the UK, Speak In Code makes everything in house and is passionate about flavour exploration, hospitality, oh, and hip hop, which inspires the drinks menu.

Sterling is probably one of the most luxurious bars to hit Manchester in recent years, located on the subterranean level of the historic Stock Exchange Hotel.

This elegant, paired-back cocktail bar opened in the corner space of Mackie Mayor in November 2023, and fast became a favourite with people who appreciate the art of a well-mixed drink.

Suzume is a sake bar and restaurant from the team behind The Sparrows. It’s a good-looking but understated place with clean lines and excellent service.

Tucked away on Shudehill is the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bar, The Washhouse. And, as it’s name suggests, it’s not what you’d typically expect from a place to drink cocktails.