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11 Manchester Bar Restaurants Where the Vibes are as Delicious as the Food
Let’s face it—sometimes you need a night out that’s a bit more than just grabbing a pint at your local. You know, something with a touch of class, a bit of buzz, and maybe a cocktail that doesn’t come premixed in a can.
We’re talking places where you can kick back with a proper meal, sip on something that’s been shaken (not stirred) by someone who actually knows what they’re doing. You simply must soak up the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in the right place at the right time!
So, without further ado, here’s your guide to the best bar restaurants in Manchester where you can dine, drink, and unwind. Trust us, these spots are more than just a pretty place to park yourself—they’re the whole package!
Peter Street Kitchen
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Address: Free Trade Hall, Peter St
Contact details: +44 161 835 8942
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-11PM
Pricing: £££
Specialising in two distinct, contemporary cuisines, Mexican and Japanese, Peter Street Kitchen’s punchy small plates ooze luxury.
Their Hibachi Experience offers an exquisite selection of sashimi, tataki, and tartare, while the a la carte menu lets you play with flavours from both sides of the world.
The grandeur of The Free Trade Hall, formerly home to Opus One, provides an airy, elegant backdrop, dressed in modern, neutral tones. Picture pale cream leather seating contrasting with rough-hewn wood—it’s all very swanky, but in a laid-back way.
And, of course, the cocktail list is as inventive as the food.
| Pro tip: Grab a seat by the window for some people-watching as you sip on a sake cocktail and indulge in those dreamy small plates. |
Manchester235
Address: 2 Watson St
Contact details: +44 161 828 0345
Operating Hours:
- Wed – Sat 5PM-11PM,
- Sun 12PM-4PM
Pricing: £££
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Menu
Manchester235 is the entertainment jewel in the crown that is the Great Northern complex on Deansgate—a Las Vegas-style gaming, dining, and cocktail venue that’s all about luxury and excitement. Fancy a flutter before or after your meal? You’re in the right place.
On-site, you’ll find the James Martin Manchester restaurant, a haven of modern British cuisine with mouth-watering steaks and hearty roasts that showcase the best of local ingredients.
For those looking to level up their experience, keep an eye out for the Icon VIP Bar—usually by invitation only, but if you’re lucky enough to get in, expect exclusive access to private tables and a seriously posh atmosphere.
Plus, their experience packages—like Learn to Play or Cocktail Masterclasses—are perfect for groups looking to add a bit of fun to their night.
| Pro tip: Try the “Play it Deluxe” package; it includes a three-course meal, a blackjack or roulette lesson, and a free bet to test your luck. Perfect for a night of food, fun, and a little bit of risk. |
Slug And Lettuce
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Address: 64-66 Albert Square
Contact details: +44 161 839 6770
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 10AM-11PM
Pricing: ££
Slug and Lettuce is your go-to spot for a casual yet vibrant night out. Recently given a chic floral makeover, this bar is as pretty as it is lively—perfect for a girls’ night out, a quick drink after work, or even a pit stop before catching your train at Piccadilly.
The menu is a comforting mix of British classics, grills, and home comforts, with something for everyone. And the drinks? Well, they’ve got you covered with a fabulous cocktail selection, spirits, and draft beers.
Plus, with daily offers like £5 lunches, £15 Fizz Fridays, and £12 Wine Down Wednesdays, it’s a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on the good stuff. If you fancy alfresco dining, the outdoor setting here is just right for soaking up the city vibes while enjoying your meal.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss out on their bottomless brunch—endless drinks and good vibes, what more could you want to kick off your weekend? |
The Pen & Pencil
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Address: 57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ
Contact details: +44 161 660 3303
Operating hours:
- Mon – Thurs 10AM-12AM
- Fri – Sat 10AM-2AM
- Sun 10AM-10PM
Pricing: £££
Located in the Northern Quarter, this all-day hangout takes inspiration from a 1950s and 60s New York bar that was a favourite among journalists and ad men—the original Mad Men, if you will.
Their signature Eggs Pen & Pencil is a must-try—imagine poached eggs jazzed up with sausage, bacon, red onion chutney, and hollandaise. If that doesn’t scream ‘perfect weekend treat,’ I don’t know what does.
The last Saturday of every month is the big one, with a bottomless brunch that’s become a bit of a legend in its own right. The Pen & Pencil is a proper party spot too, with DJs spinning everything from soul to funk to disco until the early hours on weekends.
| Pro tip: If you’re into your brunch, make sure to book ahead for their bottomless brunch on the last Saturday of the month. |
Revolucion De Cuba Manchester
Address: 11 Peter St
Contact details: +44 161 826 8266
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 11AM-2AM
- Sat 11AM-3AM
- Sun 11AM-1AM
Pricing: ££
Revolucion De Cuba is a buzzing Latin-themed bar on Deansgate is all about those Havana vibes, from the large ceiling fans that make you feel like you’re somewhere sunny to the high tables perfect for socialising over drinks and nibbles.
Cocktails here are a bit of an adventure—sure, you can get a classic mojito, but why not try something a bit different like their Cuban Tea Party served in a teapot or a refreshing frozen granita?
On the food front, they’ve got all the Latin favourites, from small plates like Albondigas meatballs to hearty enchiladas and burritos. Live Latin music sets the tone most nights, making it the ideal spot for a lively dinner followed by some serious dancing.
With two floors of entertainment, this place can easily cater to anything from a casual night out with friends to a big celebration.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss their live music nights, it’s the perfect backdrop for enjoying a cocktail (or three) and some tasty Latin bites. |
10 Tib Lane
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Address: 10 Tib Lane
Contact details: +44 161 832 2035
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-12AM
Pricing: £££
Opened during the summer of 2021—a time when just staying afloat was an achievement—this restaurant has not only survived but become a staple in Manchester’s dining scene.
Their focus is on French-inspired small plates, with ingredients sourced from local producer Cinderwood Market Garden. The menu changes with the seasons, so you can expect fresh, organic produce turned into beautifully balanced dishes.
The vibe here is intimate and stylish, spread across three floors of exposed concrete, hanging plants, and plush teal velvet seating.
Drinks-wise, they keep things simple but sophisticated, with a carefully curated selection of natural, low-intervention wines and no-nonsense cocktails.
| Pro tip: If you’re into trying new wines, their selection of natural wines is top-tier; perfect for pairing with their seasonal small plates. |
Turtle Bay Manchester Oxford Rd
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Address: 46-50 Oldham St
Contact details: +44 161 235 1010
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Thu 11AM-12AM
- Fri – Sat 11AM-1AM
- Sun 11AM-11PM
Pricing: ££
Walking into Turtle Bay on Oxford Road feels like you’ve been whisked away to a Caribbean beach party. The interior is a vibrant mix of beach bar vibes and shanty town chic, complete with an open kitchen tucked behind shipping containers.
You can kick things off with some cocktails—because when they’re doing 2-for-1, why wouldn’t you? Their just jerk platter was a spicy celebration of starters, loaded with pork and beef ribs dripping in rich jerk sauce, and a beef patty that had us wishing for a bit more spice.
But the surprise hit? Those deep-fried sweetcorn fritters, crispy on the outside and so tasty you won’t even realise they’re vegan. A drizzle of Aunt May’s Bajan pepper sauce took them to another level.
| Pro tip: Don’t leave without trying the Jerk Chicken Wings! |
20 Stories
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Address: No. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square
Contact details: +44 161 204 3333
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-2AM
Pricing: £££
Perched high above Manchester, 20 Stories is the city’s highest restaurant, bar, and terrace, and it’s as much about the views as it is about the food. Opened in 2018, it quickly became the go-to spot for anyone looking to dine in style.
If you’re after a photo op, the massive outdoor terrace, which is as big as the restaurant floor, is where you want to be. The menu is a celebration of modern British cuisine with a global twist, featuring seasonal dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Start with something like the pan-fried red Argentinian prawns with chilli and garlic butter, or if you’re feeling indulgent, go for one of their giant sharing cuts like the 35oz porterhouse steak.
And let’s not forget about dessert—these guys know how to please a crowd, with sweet treats that showcase the best seasonal ingredients.
| Pro tip: For the ultimate experience, grab a spot on the terrace just before sunset. |
The Alchemist Spinningfields
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Address: 3 Hardman St
Contact Details: +44 161 817 2950
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Wed 8AM-12AM
- Thurs – Fri 8AM-2AM
- Sat 10AM-2AM
- Sun 10AM-11PM
Pricing: £££
The Alchemist in Spinningfields is where science meets sipping. This was the first Alchemist to hit Manchester, and it’s still got that mix of mystique and madness that made it a hit.
Now, let’s talk drinks—these aren’t your run-of-the-mill cocktails. Oh no, The Alchemist takes mixology and turns it into a full-blown science experiment.
Imagine sipping a Bubblebath or a Smokey Old Fashioned while watching it fizz, smoke, or do something else you didn’t think possible outside a chemistry lab.
The food’s just as playful. You’ve got your popcorn chicken, your Pan-Asian sharers, and even a plant burger that’s more than just a nod to the vegetarians among us.
| Pro tip: Fancy brunch with a bit of bling? Try their “All That Glitters” bottomless brunch. |
Wolf at the Door
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Address: 30-32 Thomas St
Contact: +441616607177
Operating Hours:
- Sun – Wed 12PM-11PM
- Thur 12PM-1AM
- Fri – Sat 12PM-2AM
Pricing: ££
Wolf at the Door is one of those places that’s had a bit of an identity crisis—but in a good way. Originally known as Wilderness, they’ve shifted from posh small plates to a menu that’s all about tacos and bao buns.
Sounds like a downgrade? Not a chance. This place has kept the creativity but made it more accessible—and more fun.
The tacos and bao buns are the stars of the show here. We’re talking jerk chicken tacos with jerk beer gravy and king prawn bao buns that’ll make you rethink your whole approach to street food.
Upstairs, the cocktail bar keeps things casual with a setup designed to make you feel like you’re part of the action. It’s all very laid-back and unpretentious—just how a good night out in the Northern Quarter should be.
| Pro tip: Grab a taco or a bao (or both) and head upstairs for a cocktail. |
Hawksmoor Manchester
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Address: 184-186 Deansgate
Contact details: +44 161 836 6980
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-10PM
Pricing: £££
Hawksmoor Manchester is like the steakhouse that dreams are made of—if your dreams involve perfectly cooked beef and a side of bone marrow gravy, that is. This isn’t just another spot on Deansgate; it’s a proper steakhouse that takes its meat seriously.
Walking in, you’re greeted by wood-panelled walls and mid-century light fixtures that give the place a warm, unpretentious vibe. It’s a former courtroom, but now the only thing being judged here is how you like your steak cooked.
And they’ve got all the cuts you could wish for—whether you’re sharing a porterhouse or keeping a ribeye all to yourself. But Hawksmoor isn’t just about the beef. Their seafood game is strong too—think scallops in white port and garlic butter or monkfish grilled over charcoal.
And don’t even get me started on the sides. Those beef dripping chips could probably win awards on their own.
| Pro tip: If you’re here for the steak, make sure to get the bone marrow gravy on the side. |
