Best bars in Manchester

If you’re looking for a slice of the city centre, but without the hustle and bustle of the tourists, head south to the leafy suburb of Altrincham for wine fine and delicious eateries. Our recommendation for a great drink in a relaxed atmosphere is House Bar and Restaurant in Goose Green which boasts one of the biggest outside terraces in the town, making a popular haunt when the sun is out. Their wine list is extensive, and they also have a lot of cocktails to match. Head on down at the weekend for their live musicians filling the place with a fantastic ambiance that proves why this bar is so popular with the locals.

Fancy a glass of champagne or a cosmopolitan up in the clouds? Then head no further than Cloud 23, situated on the, you guessed it, 23rd floor of Manchester’s Hilton building. The views across the city are incredible, and on a clear day you can see as far as the peak district one way and over the Cheshire countryside the other. The bartenders are experts in their fields and make some of the most exquisite cocktails in the city, but if that’s not enough to tickle your fancy, their wine and spirits menu will surely have something to wet your whistle. A must-visit on a trip into the city.

Located a stone’s throw from the city centre is the beautiful Vermillion restaurant and Cinnabar, up near Manchester City’s home ground, but don’t let that put you off if you’re not a fan of the boys in blue. The restaurant itself is somewhat of a spectacle, designed by Miguel Concio Martins who also brought us Buddha Bar in Paris and Firefly in London. It spans three floors and cater for corporate and private events up to 150 people. Described as a labyrinth, there are six luxuriously designed spaces with a menu fit for a king. The cocktail menu has been created by some of Manchester’s finest mixologists and has some of the finest offerings which you can enjoy in one of their signature cocoons – what’s not to love?

If you’re looking for a little bit of Parisian style amidst the urban and independent offerings of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, then go no further than Fress, offering a contemporary French-feel juxtaposition to the quirky bars of Oldham street. The white subway tiles, paired with the gold and bronze-work, give the bar an overall metropolitan-vibe, but once you see the stunning pastries and cakes on offer in the window, you are transported to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, and you forget for a moment where you are. Boasting the best brunch in Manchester (2017) this popular residence also serves some delicious teas and coffees as well as a fully-stocked alcohol menu too which is sure to quench your thirst. Their cocktails range from a Peachberg lemonade (bourbon, Cointreau, peach syrup, lemon and soda) to a coffee nut old-fashioned.