What sup? Best bars for craft beer in Manchester

Heaton Hops is a bar and bottle shop in Heaton Moor. The fridges are packed with bottles and cans from breweries across the North and further afield. Despite its relatively small size, you’ll also find eight keg lines and two traditional cask pumps.

George Orwell may have named his ideal (and imaginary) pub The Moon Under Water but Wetherspoons on Deansgate was not what he had in mind. It’s The Marble Arch which has all the qualities that mark it out as the perfect boozer.

North Taproom: Circle Square is the Manchester outpost of the beloved North Bar in Leeds. It specialises in craft beer with cold beers in fancy cans, perfectly conditioned cask and even Negroni on tap.

The Old Fire Station is a café, bar, bakery and brewery tap with a real community feel. It’s a part of the University of Salford but it’s open to everyone.

Pelican is a bar from the team behind Squawk Brewing Company, they of the beautiful ornithological cans of craft ale. It’s situated in Grade II Listed building on Dale Street with tall handsome windows, but you’re here for the beer, right?

Track Brewing Co may be a bit off the beaten track but it’s worth the trek for craft beer aficionados.

You’ll find three cask ales as well as 20 keg lines showcasing the finest efforts of Track Brewing Co, plus guest beers and collaborations.

A stone’s throw from their brewery and taproom, Salford alemeisters Seven Bro7hers have a beerhouse and kitchen with outside space right in the heart of MediaCity, where they’re serving up “the best pints in town” alongside a choice of hand food with which to mop up the hop.

Unit 9 Cloudwater Taproom is right next to the brewery which, incidentally, takes up units seven and eight.

Despite the slightly unprepossessing location, the Cloudwater taproom is industrial in a good way. Large, light and spacious but with blonde wood, greenery and pretty artwork on the walls. Trading estate chic never looked so good.

The team behind Wolf At The Door know a thing or two about adaptation. They launched as a highly stylised restaurant and cocktail bar serving NOMA-influenced small plates. Then changed their name (they were formerly known as Wilderness) and completely overhauled their menu. Nowadays they serve tacos and bao buns that keep the playful feel of the original offering, but with much more accessible prices.