Where to celebrate the end of Dry January in Manchester

If you want to celebrate the end of Dry January with the classiest cocktails in the city, look no further than Three Little Words. Tucked away under Grade II listed railway arches, the unique venue is an expansive space with exposed brick walls, industrial decor and shiny copper pipes adorning the walls. The creative cocktails on the menu are all made from spirits lovingly crafted next-door in the Spirit of Manchester Distillery – you can even attend tastings or gin-making classes to mark the occasion. Currently taking inspiration from the industrial past of the city, current cocktails include the likes of chocolate stout, blackberry gin and coffee vodka – check out the flavour profile on the menu for each drink.

While an Indian restaurant may not be your first port of call for that first drink post-Dry January, Bundobust Brewery is far more than just small plates and street food staples these days. Located on the bustling Oxford Road, the venue still serves up the winning combination of bhajis and dahls in a communal setting – however, the benches are lined with huge steel tanks bubbling away with house-brewed drinks. Already known for its collaborations with local breweries in the city, Bundobust now brews various craft beers in-house, including IPAs, porters and pilsners. Why not make your first drink back one to remember by trying the original coriander lager? 

As the new kid on the block in the Northern Quarter, Lost Cat has everything you need from a neighbourhood bar – bagels and burgers by day, and creative cocktails by night. Run by the team behind Crazy Pedro’s pizza parlour, the speakeasy-style bar is accessed via the facade of a florist, The Bud and Pot, and split over two stylish floors. When it comes to the cocktails, Lost Cat covers all bases with both the classics and contemporary drinks using quirky ingredients such as hot honey, miso caramel and carrot cake syrup. If that wasn’t enough to shake off those January blues, the venue has recently launched its own boozy bottomless brunch – every day of the week. 

Freshly opened by the creators of VIP club Chinawhite, Rendition is one of the top cocktail spots in Manchester, with its speakeasy-style aesthetic and decadent decor bringing the party atmosphere, no matter the time of day. Curated by ex-River Cafe chef Arthur Potts Dawson, the food menu changes weekly to champion fresh, local produce – you can expect the likes of rose veal fillet, chalk stream trout and locally sourced oysters. The drinks offering is both extensive and creative, including theatrical cocktails such as Rendition’s Red Hot Fun, which is made up of Ciroc red berry, cranberry and chilli, and The Dance, which consists of Stolichnaya vanilla, strawberry and bubblegum.

If wine is more your speed, Salut Wines offers over 500 of them – all hand-picked by the experienced team. Unlike your regular wine bar, Salut keeps its wines in an Enomatic dispenser machine so you have the opportunity to try exclusive bottles by the glass. The drinks are accompanied by a selection of cheese, charcuterie and mezze boards, all sourced from independent suppliers. Have a glass – or 10 – in the warm and welcoming atmosphere, then take your favourite home to keep you going throughout February. 

Located on the pedestrianised Thomas Street, The Smithfield Social is the go-to spot for a quick drink with its al fresco seating, minimalist decor and vibrant happy hour deals. Not only was the venue founded by Manchester’s leading man, Liam Fray, but it also pays homage to the historic Smithfield Market that once stood down the street – combining seasonal ingredients with a unique cocktail list. Bold ingredients such as cayenne smoke, sumac and rosemary add a contemporary twist to classic cocktails, including the spicy cucumber marg and the passion fruit paloma. The venue even has its own lager on offer, the Social Pils, and plenty of craft beer on rotation for that post-Dry January tipple.