Categories > Guides and Tips
The Top 10 Piccadilly Manchester Bars for Not-So-Pour Decisions!
Like most Mancunians, my team and I use Piccadilly Station to get to and from the office. But after a tiring day at the desk, typing like a corporate slave (sshh… don’t tell the boss we said that), it’s nice to pop down the pub with my best mates.
When’s the best time to do that? After work, of course! Once you get out of the tram, the most brilliant idea, aside from turning in for the night, is to head to the nearest bar from the station for catch-ups and drinks!
Need a cheeky pint that’s not far away from Piccadilly Station? Check out our go-to bars in Manchester for cocktails crafted to be loved and pints made to savour!
Traditional Pubs near Piccadilly
The Peveril of the Peak
Media credit: corrado12_03
Address: 127 Great Bridgewater St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 19-minute walk
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm
Pricing: £
The Peveril of the Peak needs no introduction. This beloved pub, which shares the same name as one of Sir Walter Scott’s novels, is a historic spot famous for its green-tiled outer walls and stained glass windows.
The interior? It’s all sorts of vintage. The long window seat faces the bar, which is lined with more stained glass, and it’s home to a jukebox for classic tunes and some pub games for a cheeky round with mates.
There’s no shortage of proper beer at this Manchester institution, where cask ales lead the pack. There’s an excellent selection for every palate, whether you’re searching for something bitter or a fuller mouthfeel.
Pro Tip:
Avoid peak pub hours, especially on weekends, to avoid busy nights and a horde of people.
The Piccadilly Tavern
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Address: 71 – 75 London Road
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 5-minute walk
Contact: 0161 236 9622
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 8 am – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 8 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 9 am – 11 pm
If you’re on the hunt for a proper pub with good grub, The Piccadilly Tavern is the bee’s knees. It has some of the most banging burgers in Manchester that will guarantee a full tummy, like The Mighty Guinness, which has a patty covered in Guinness BBQ sauce—splendid!
When it comes to booze, there’s no shortage of delicious mixes. The Margarita on the Rocks is strong but bright and slightly sweet. But when in a proper pub, a pint of Guinness is always a terrific idea.
It’s a brilliant pub for knocking back a few with your mates, as it’s pretty spacious compared to other bars near Piccadilly. Some tables and booths can accommodate small groups, even with the game on TV!
Pro Tip:
Reserve a table online during football matches to secure a spot.
Waldorf Manchester
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Address: 12 Gore St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 6-minute walk
Contact: 0161 235 5286
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 12 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
Just a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station, Waldorf is THE place to watch a footie with the gang (and the pup!). This pub is buzzing when there’s a game, since there are TVs all over the place!
It’s a traditional pub with a modern twist. So, expect the old-school boozer to be there still, but a couple of areas feel more contemporary after the refurbishment.
The menu feels the same: classically British with a new spin. There’s the Chippie Feast, a plate of fish and chips piled with sausages, peas, and sauces on top. But it’s actually the 2-4-1 cocktails that make this an excellent spot—the Strawberry Sunset is refreshing!
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the Mega Deals, available every single day! These special offers can save you a couple of pounds!
Craft Beer Spots near Piccadilly
Piccadilly Tap
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Address: Gateway House, Station Approach
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 1-minute walk
Contact: 0161 393 4168, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 1 pm – 11 pm
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
A laid-back spot for good beer is Piccadilly Tap, located just a hop and a skip from Manchester’s Piccadilly Station. It knows what it is—an unpretentious and easygoing spot for a tipple amid the busy streets.
It serves fresh and complex beers, given that there are multiple kegs and casks on tap. With every sip, you can feel the quality and the balanced taste, with a smooth finish that doesn’t overpower the drinker.
A good ale goes well with pizza and banter. You can taste fresh Italian pizza here, including meat and veggie options, but a classic pepperoni never disappoints!
Pro Tip:
It gets busy here, given its location just outside the station. If you don’t mind the teeming masses, consider sitting in the outdoor area, as most tables inside will likely be taken.
Port Street Beer House
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Address: 39 – 41 Port St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 9-minute walk
Contact: 0161 237 9949, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
Pricing: £
Website
The Northern Quarter sure knows how to pick its inhabitants! Port Street Beer House is located in the heart of NQ and a 10-minute walk away from the station—the distance is worth it if you love proper beer.
If you like casual spots for a pint, this is it! It doesn’t pretend to be some sort of fancy place, but knows that it’s a humble and low-key destination for a quick meet-up with the chaps.
It’s also another destination for good beer that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, especially in this part of town! You’ll taste brilliant craft beer, as it has keg and cask lines, pouring smooth and rich bevvies that will make you return again and again.
Pro Tip:
Always check the board for special deals!
Cafe Beermoth
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Address: Spring Gardens, Brown St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 15-minute walk
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
Manchester’s City Centre is home to Cafe Beermoth, one of our favourite places to chill after a rough day at work. The vibe is relaxing, as it doesn’t feel like your typical brewery—it’s modern, spacious, well-designed, and attracts the grown-up crowd.
There’s no shortage of good beer here, whether local or international. It pours bevvies from all over the globe, bringing a variety of flavours to Manchester.
You get your usual brewery food, like crisps and cheese plates. But eating isn’t the reason you’ll pop in, because this spot, although a 15-minute walk from the station, is where good beer and great conversations are bound to happen.
Pro Tip:
Bring your sober friends because the bar serves coffee and tea as well.
Cocktail Bars near Piccadilly
The Alchemist
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Address: 1 New York St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 11-minute walk
Contact: 0161 228 3856
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 9 am – 12 am
- Thursday: 9 am – 1 am
- Friday: 1 am – 2 am
- Saturday: 10 am – 2 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
Creative and theatrical cocktails await you at The Alchemist, an innovative bar that will make you go hmmm, ahhh, oohhh. Every single cocktail has a flair for the dramatic, as the drinks are either poured in unique glassware or crafted to bring in the drama!
The industrial chic vibe brings in a sophisticated touch, with a bar that’s heavy with showmanship. The 11-minute walk from Piccadilly Station is worth it, even after work, because once you’re seated, you’ll enjoy the dramatic experience!
Our pick? The Berry Bellini, a sweet treat served in a cone-shaped glass and made with raspberry vodka, Mousa Kingdom Strawberry Liquer, prosecco, and fizz. For non-alcoholic bevvies, the Rhubarb Pop is bright and sweet with chocolate notes.
Pro Tip:
Browsing the menu can be overwhelming, especially on your first visit. We recommend sticking to the classics first before trying out the more creative cocktails.
Slug & Lettuce
Media credit: slugandlettucebars
Address: Westminster House – 11 Portland St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 8-minute walk
Contact: 0161 237 0631
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 10 am – 11 pm
- Friday: 10 am – 12 am
- Saturday: 10 am – 12:30 am
Cocktails in a relaxed yet trendy space in Manchester? That’s only a few minutes away from Piccadilly Station? Slug & Lettuce is where you should go, where classic libations are the stars of the stage!
The most iconic mixes are here, like the refreshing Mojito, the tropical Piña Colada, and the coffee and alcohol mixture of an Espresso Martini. This is also the bar to bring your mates for alcohol shots that will awaken your spirit!
The atmosphere is fresh and fun without being overbearing. It’s the type of bar that screams “you have to bring your best mates for a good time,” especially when the DJs swing by!
Pro Tip:
Check their Instagram page for cocktail deals and live musician guests.
Unique Venues near Piccadilly
The Circus Tavern
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Address: 86 Portland St
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 12-minute walk
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 1 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm
Pricing: £
Website
Pop over to The Circus Tavern, a Manchester bar that’s so tiny, it’s considered Europe’s smallest bar. But don’t let that fool you, because even if the place is small, it gives the most cheerful greeting through its nice selection of booze.
It’s nothing fancy, but it’s the place for one of the best Guinnesses near Piccadilly Station. Locals will feel the warmth of this traditional pub, tourists will have a grand time because of the friendly vibe, and footie fans will appreciate the Man U memorabilia.
Once you enter, you’ll immediately see the small bar (it’s right in front of the door), and there are a couple of rooms for drinking that, frankly, feel like your old man’s living room. They’re small, but bring in the exact ambience for casual talks with mates.
Pro Tip:
This pub is tiny, so avoid lingering too long to give the other patrons a chance to sit and have a drink.
Dusk Til Pawn
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Address: Sevendale House – Stevenson Square
Distance from Piccadilly Station: 9-minute walk
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Thursday: 4 pm – 1 am
- Friday: 2 pm – 2 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 2 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm
Pricing: ££
Website
Don’t be fooled by the pawnshop exterior of Dusk Til Pawn, a speakeasy in the Northern Quarter where only the people who know it can taste the drinks. Its exterior will unlikely catch the attention of people who want incredible libations!
Once you enter, you’ll be greeted by a trendy, dimly lit bar with a proper ambience for a relaxing time. An Espresso Martini, made with cold brew, is precisely the type of drink for the atmosphere—it’s cosy with a sense of mystery.
Summer visits are our fave, as the menu serves refreshing drinks that will make you feel good on a hot day. Try the Peach & Hibiscus for an invigoratingly fruity drink!
Pro Tip:
Always check their website or socials for updated operating hours.
