Dusk til Pawn is a small independent speakeasy in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

From the outside, you’d be forgiven for thinking Dusk Til Pawn is a legitimate Pawn Shop. It would be far too simple to get past the bar with locked front doors and guitars and other electrical equipment on show in the window.

Inside, you’ll find an American-style bar—a long room with a massive bar on one side and a massive selection of spirits behind the counter.

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The bar is slightly lit to keep the store façade visible from the outside, with a massive jukebox dominating one of the corners. With seats along one wall, it’s the ideal spot for a martini with a date.

That said, we think that a downside to them is that their location is not really suitable for large groups of five people and above and clients should keep this in mind when visiting them.

Another thing we love about them is that their staff and bartenders are always well-dressed and knowledgeable about their menu offerings. We think that this is an essential factor in enjoying the dining experience.

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Based on our interviews with their regulars, they are highly praised for their customer service which, for us, is a huge positive factor in our books.

This, in addition to a well-considered spirit and beer selection, a massive jukebox, and a discreet location away from prying eyes, they’re the perfect choice for an intimate night out.

If you prefer intimate settings for your nights out, The Wash House is an excellent choice. Although, at first glance, it’s not what you’d expect from one of Manchester’s most popular bars because it’s fronted by a modest laundry shop.

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We love the establishment’s solitude and elegant atmosphere, and their staff is especially notable as well. They are all friendly, competent, and always ready to meet clients with a pleasant smile.

Another thing we like is that the prices of food and beverages are reasonable considering the quality of the dishes they serve.

They have a terrific selection of beverages and delectable bites that will impress anyone. We were also pleased to find that their drinks had been elevated to the level of an art form.

Some of their notable cocktails are available for a limited time only. For instance, they have drinks with toasted marshmallows and others inspired by summery ice cream flavour.

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Although their drinks are reasonably priced, they are still quite pricey compared to other bars in the area. We recommend checking their menu after making a reservation with them through their website.

In a nutshell, we believe The Washhouse is Manchester’s best-kept secret for a unique twist on your next night out. 

The Blind Tyger is a quaint basement watering spot, adds a subtle dash of elegance to St Ann’s Square.

Hidden under Old Bank Street’s Sandinista, the distinctive speakeasy-style cocktail bar offers up some of the best tipples in town, drawing influence from the first Prohibition era of the nineteenth century.

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The venue itself is decorated with knick-knacks and souvenirs to evoke the atmosphere of old-school bar culture, as well as flocked wallpaper, dark furniture, and elaborate glassware.

Their intimate setting makes for an impressive place for small groups and dates alike. On the downside, because the space is very limited, it’s not the ideal setting for large groups.

As for their drink choices, customers can expect some truly modern spins on traditional drinks ranging from Juleps to Negronis. Likewise, their dishes are also highly raved by their customers.

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Another notable thing about them is their staff. Based on our surveys, their staff and bartenders are very accommodating and always put the customer’s request first.

On top of that, the overall venue is kept spotless and cosy all the time.

All things considered, The Blind Tyger is the perfect secret bar for intimate gatherings where customers can enjoy each other’s company without a lot of distractions.

Behind Closed Doors is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar that is tucked away in a basement in the Northern Quarter. The cocktail hotspot is located on Oldham Street, and entry requires ringing a buzzer.

Behind Closed Doors, which was established by Nick Parr, a former general manager of the Whisky Jar.

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The venue has a sensual motif with Persian carpets, mismatched mirrors and old photographs of glamour models covering the walls.

In other words, if you’re searching for a more risqué and cheeky pub in the Manchester area, this could be the one for you.

Impressively, their cocktail menu includes unique concoctions like Wet Dream (tequila, hibiscus, saka, and rose lemonade) and Furry Cup (vodka, crème de mure, lemon, egg white, and peach).

We love the originality of their menu offerings. We think this adds a zesty touch to any party night out for large groups.

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The pub also features a DJ booth made out of a shopping cart and booths with phones that can be used to call other patrons or order beverages. 

Lastly, they also have a dessert menu where the portions are for sharing to add to their overall alluring theme.

Overall, we highly recommend them for those looking for a more racy night out.

Science & Industry is a brilliant new secret bar in Manchester. It’s located at the First Floor Bar above Cane and Grain.

We like how Science & Industry’s premises are inspired by underground laboratories run by mixologists – quite fitting, don’t you think? The pub is dimly lit and has an ominous speakeasy vibe. 

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Moreover, they have a private back-room laboratory where they develop novel substances and push the limits of molecular mixology. Least to say, we were impressed with the unique concept that they came up with.

Once you step in you’ll see walls are covered in wallpaper that was inspired by Manchester’s worker bees, and the elaborate lighting fixtures are worth seeing too!

In addition, their drinks and food choices are unique in that all of their mixes are made in-house. As great as it may seem, those looking for classic drinks might not be pleased.

Furthermore, what we’re a bit iffy about is that their food and drinks aren’t served on the traditional plates and cups.

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Science & Industry’s concept is all about laboratories, so that means all of their food is served in vials and other types of laboratory glassware.

On the other hand, what kept us positive about them is their mixology masterclasses, where you can make your own cocktail and learn all about the basics of mixology.

Summing everything up, Science & Industry is not your normal secret bar but we think it’s one of the best options for a more unique experience.