We know Sunday roasts very much fall into the ‘if ain’t broke don’t fix it’ category of British food -and rightly so, they’re absolutely glorious – but every now and again they’re made fresh and exciting again, and that’s exactly what Maray have done with theirs.
Plus, who on Earth is ignoring a FREE roast dinner?
That’s right, not only are Maray’s incredible Middle-Eastern twists on the classic carvery combination of lovingly cooked joints of meat, exquisitely cooked vegetables and their take on firm favourites like the potato (the best bit, let’s be honest), but they’re also going to be dishing them out for absolutely nothing.
What better way to celebrate one of the best Sunday roasts in Manchester than by serving up heaping plates at absolutely no cost to the hordes of customers bound to line up regardless?
Now, if you’re wondering what exactly it is that makes a Sunday roast from Maray so special and, crucially, showcases those Middle-Eastern influences, then let us tell you: crispy fenugreek roasties, butternut squash Tershi and, the true star of the show, the truly immense protein options.
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Whether you want a simple roast beef picanha sirloin that would slot in perfectly on any roast dinner around the country, a spiced chickpea nut roast for the plant-free patrons, or the quite frankly stunning lemon, za’atar and saffron spiced chicken, either way, your collective mouths will be absolutely singing.
But they’re doing much more than just the standard staples of a Sunday plate. Along with proper Yorkshire puddings as big as your head and the addition of the new ‘disco’ cauliflower cheese side, you can also start and end your meal with a true taste of the East.
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Be it a selection of traditional mezze such as whipped goats’ cheese with pickled apple, dukkah and basil oil; creamy hummus, complemented with aromatic falafels or scooped up with soft flatbreads to start, or the peoples’ favourite Baklava cheesecake whilst polishing off a bottle of red, Sunday truly is a holy day once again.
As for copping a complimentary one, it’s all very straightforward…
Waves of free Sunday roasts will be dished up by the staff at Maray over on 14 Brazennose St (just between Albert and Lincoln Square) on a first-come-first-served basis from midday on 22 September.
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It’s strictly no bookings, just walk-ins and they’ll be giving away the freebies until they run out, so you best get there early to secure a spot and some Sunday goodness.
The same deal is happening over in Liverpool a week later their roast offerings will be available at each restaurant from these respective dates onwards starting from £19pp. Simple as that.
There’s a reason this roast was named one of the best in the country back in January – it genuinely lives up to the hype and it’s definitely the go-to option if you’re looking to mix up your roast dinner game. Don’t miss out, seriously.
Some of the best St. Patrick’s Day deals, offers and specials in Manchester city centre this year
Danny Jones
St Patrick’s Day 2026 is nearly upon us, and we can’t wait to drink a river of Guinness, sing old Irish classics, dance a jig and be generally merry.
It’s a good job we know exactly where to make the most of the festivities then, isn’t it?
The best Paddy’s Day deals and offers around Manchester | 2026
1. Cheap Guinness and brilliant, beefy pies at The Black Friar – Salford
First up on our list this year, the beautiful Black Friar pub and bistro over on the edge of Salford is doing £4.50 Guinness for St. Patrick’s Day 2026 – one of the best prices you’ll find in town these days.
But that’s not all: they’re also doing a special Guinness and Beef Pie special, which you can grab with a pint of the good stuff for £17, plus £15 bottles of wine, as well as beers and cocktails for just a fiver. You can book a table HERE.
2. St Patrick’s Day specials at Hello Oriental – Oxford Road
More of a fun little one-off rather than a deal or discount, per se, but when we saw that even pan-Asian food hall Hello Oriental was getting involved with Paddy’s Day, we couldn’t ignore it.
As well as they’re already viral spice bags, they’re also doing a Black Bean Guinness Noodles dish – available with chicken or completely vegan – and we’ll admit we’re very keen to try it for ourselves.
3. Lots of the black stuff at Black Cat Club – Central
No-nonsense here: £5 pints of black gold, £2.50 shots of Baby Guinness, and a special ‘Frozen Fat Frog’ cocktail, which is basically an alcoholic slushie with Blue WKD, Smirnoff Ice and Orange Bacardi Breezer.
They’ve also got a special Irish-themed food menu for the weekend, too, including Guinness-glazed wings, spice bags, which can be enjoyed with crispy chicken and chip shop curry sauce.
Plus, there are always games to be played. (Credit: The Manc)
4. A big St. Patrick’s Day party on Peter Street – Deansgate
Albert’s Schloss remains one of the best nights in town for all seasons, so it’s no surprise that they’re throwing a smashing St. Patrick’s Day bash every year.
This time around, there’ll be ‘Kunst Kabarat’, Celtic comfort foods like pie, Irish boxty and sticky toffee pudding serving out of the Cook Haus, as well as prizes to be won like free merch, drinks tokens and even £100 off your bill. Tickets are available now.
5. Free entry and MUCH more at O’Malleys – Portland Street
At the other end of the spectrum, you could argue that free entry isn’t anything too spectacular, but it’s becoming increasingly common on Paddy’s Day, and luckily, O’Malleys has lots of other stuff going on too – all the way until 4am.
How about merch, ‘Seflie Guinness’ (with you face on) from their ‘Stoutie’ machine, a happy hour running from 3-6pm on 16, 18 and 20 March, with £6 cocktails, £4 selected beers/ciders, £18 house wine and £5 Guinness available? Oh, and they also do bottomless Guinness brunches, too, so yeah – there’s plenty.
6. Guinness pastries, pies and plenty of pints at O’Connell’s – Oxford Road
It may not be the Thirsty Scholar anymore, but what that does mean is they go extra ham over at O’Connell’s at this time of year nowadays – and they’re bringing back an exclusive fan favourite special as well.
As well as the recent and extremely popular beef and Guinness collab with V. Goode Pies returning for the day, they’ve also teamed up with Half Dozen Other to create a Guinness Pain Suisse – yes, really – which will serve as arguably the best pub snacks in the entire city come 17 March 2026.
7. 50% off special Paddy’s Day cocktails at Slug & Lettuce – Piccadilly (only)
Everyone knows the Slug, it doesn’t need any introduction – BUT, they’ll likely be busy all week around Paddy’s Day and do have a banging offer this year.
They’re doing a Paddy’s Apple and Lemonade made with the brand’s fruity Irish whisky, topped with apple juice and lemonade for half price between 16 March and 12 April, when you download the MiXR app ahead of time. Simple as that.
Now, this is by no means a comprehensive list; we just thought we’d put you on to a few good ones we’ve seen in and around the city.
And, of course, if you spot any good St. Patrick’s Day deals in Manchester, do let us know and drop them in the comments for everyone to make the most of.
We hope you enjoy the celebrations, and please drink responsibly.
Before you leave us, you might as well check out some of our favourite Irish pubs and bars in the area for Paddy’s Day 2026…
The very best Irish pubs and bars in Manchester
Danny Jones
Be it picking out the best places for Paddy’s Day, finding a green-tinted gem that pulls a proper pint of the beloved black stuff, or just wanting to find an authentic Irish boozer that reminds the ex-pats amongst you of home, Manchester has pubs to meet every requirement.
There’s been a big Irish population in 0161 ever since the 1800s, and with nods to our neighbours in Manc corners like ‘Little Ireland‘ and countless drinking spots in particular all over the city and beyond, there is a lot of love for all aspects of the green and gold culture, but especially the pubs.
With that in mind, we thought we’d round up some of the very best Irish pubs in central Manchester, and while there’s only a handful here in the city and its outskirts, the good news is that you can make your way through all of them quite easily — and we highly recommend you do.
Let’s not waste any more valuable drinking time, shall we?
A baker’s dozen of the best Irish pubs and bars in Manchester
Where else to start other than the holy grail? Famous not only for the greatest Guinness in Manchester but renowned up and down the country for one of the very best pints of the black stuff you’ll find outside of Ireland, full stop: Mulligans of Deansgate is pretty much the undisputed GOAT of Manc Irish pubs.
Located just off the main strip and over the road from Spinningfields, Mulligans is no stranger to a queue (especially on St Patrick’s Day), fight nights or other big events – and is always packed to the rafters but in the best way possible.
With the full range of sports on the box at all times, live music every night and some seriously good beer and whiskey on offer if you’re not a stout person, there aren’t many things we love more than stomping our feet and slapping tables as we sing along to Irish classics all night. It’s also now bigger than ever.
Speaking of dancing like prats well into the early hours, there aren’t many better pubs to enjoy a proper Gaelic reel or a few belting covers than O’Sheas Irish Bar on the corner of Princess Street. A proper stage and plenty of room for all of our terrible moves certainly help.
With regular live music from the likes of Joe Keegan — who’s been at the forefront of the Irish music scene in Manchester for years now — as well as the usual live sport, a really great all-day menu with proper filling portion sizes and even Taytos crisps behind the bar, it’s always a good time here.
A decent pint of Guinness, too, of course, but they’ve also got their sister site and sun trap beer garden over in Mayfield, which is the perfect spot for big tournaments and big parties. A great Irish pub.
3. Kiely’s Irish Bar – Great Northern Warehouse
Credit: The Manc Group
From one local favourite to another, Kiely’s over on Great Northern is comfortably one of the best Irish pubs anywhere in Greater Manchester for our money. Also, when the barrels outside the door are painted like big chunky pints of Guinness, you know they put effort into pouring it.
Always boasts a great crowd on matchdays, and with plenty more seating towards the back of the bar, there’s a lovely feel to the place with the fairy lights and old sporting memorabilia hanging from the walls. It’s no wonder people pile in to soak up the live bands and the black gold in here for hours on end.
It was Manchester’s first new Irish bar in 10 years when it opened back in 2017, but it has very quickly become a go-to for many drinkers on a night out, and it feels like it’s been around for well over a decade in its own right. Time flies when you’re having fun, as they say.
4. O’Neill’s – Printworks
Credit: The Manc
Next up is one of the biggest chains of Irish bars in the UK for a reason: it’s always a good time. We’re of course talking about O’Niells over in the Printworks, which also opened up back in 2017, but feels like it’s been around forever now.
With the legendary Waxy O’Connors having closed its doors after nearly 20 years back in 2021, O’Neills is now the only Irish pub located within one of Manchester city centre’s most popular and best-known entertainment and leisure destinations.
A very solid pint of Guinness, plenty of room with lots of tables, benches and booths for groups of all sizes; there’s nothing to moan about here. The huge multi-screen set-up in the middle is perfect for watching the game too, and with a boozy pop-up or two throughout the year, it’s always a good time.
Quietly one of the best pints of Guinness in Manchester after Mulligans, the Lass O’Gowrie on Charles Street and just off Oxford Road is one of the most beloved boozers anywhere in the city centre and popular with everyone from old boys and after-work regulars to the uni students and out of towners.
Appearing on maps as early as 1844 and having undergone a serious six-figure refurb back in 2022, this place caters to everything from quiz, comedy and open mic nights, to anyone just looking for a proper pub grub meal and even now has a mini-cinema that can seat up to 20.
While not technically an Irish pub, having been originally opened by a Scotsman (we won’t pull anyone up if you don’t), it’s still one of our favourite places to watch the footy or just chill on the balcony terrace, which hangs gracefully over the River Medlock. A truly top little pub — with great Guinness too.
6. The Salmon of Knowledge – Northern Quarter, Salford Quays and Didsbury
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Opened in September 2024, The Salmon Knowledge not only replaced legendary late-night student and pizza spot PLY but was arguably the start of a fresh boom of Irish pubs here in Manchester, all claiming to do the best pint of Guinny, Murphy’s and so on.
Decked out with mosaics of Irish icons like Shane MacGowan and more, not to mention serving up New York-inspired bar classics by local vendors, The Last Stop has been an instant hit with locals and is as busy as its predecessor was.
It’s since opened up locations in South Manchester and Media City in Salford Quays after replacing the old Dockyard site along ‘The Didsbury Dozen’, if you fancy heading out of the city limits for more lessons in good craic.
One of the newer Irish bars in Manchester, something has finally taken the place of the old beloved Red’s True Barbeque building (which closed permanently back in 2023), and you guessed it: it’s another Irish bar with a name not easily forgotten.
Dirty O’Sullivans is certainly a title that catches the eye, and with live music, brunch and proper breakfasts down the Irish, pour-your-own Guinness, and plenty more, they now have one of the most ambitious offerings in town.
It’s still too early to tell exactly where it will rank among the very best Irish pubs in Manchester – this being the inaugural year in the city and not even having had a Paddy’s Day party under their belt yet – but we know plenty of people who’ve made it their new go-to already.
Quite literally just next door, you’ll find one of the most increasingly popular Irish pubs in Manchester, which replaced the old Thirsty Scholar under the Oxford Road archways in February 2025, once best known for its Northern Soul nights.
You’ll be glad to hear that the new proprietors have every intention of carrying on that live music tradition, as the simply named O’Connell’s has expanded on the previous space significantly, as well as opening the upstairs to create all manner of corners to nestle into.
Decked out in authentic timbers and heritage from both Manchester and Dublin, it’s a meeting of two closely-knit cultures in the heart of the cobbled street known as ‘Little Ireland’, and we love it.
9. The Freemount – NQ
Credit: The Manc
This one would have felt like a slightly off-kilter inclusion were it not for the recent relocation and refurbishment, which has seen The Freemount (yes, the one with the mile-long queue) every weekend finally live up to its reputation as an Irish bar.
It was always a lively and fun place to visit, but anyone would tell you they needed more square footage, and now they have, after taking over the old Dry Bar unit.
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Now looking more Irish than ever, gilded with gold and glass mirrors, warm wooden colours and with two proper Guinness pumps installed on the bar, the Northern Quarter favourite has levelled up.
Last but not least on our list is the one furthest from the city centre, but still only a tram ride away and well worth the journey if you believe what the regulars tell you.
Currently busier than ever amid the Guinness and Irish pub boom, Duffy’s Bar on Barlow Moor Road has been around longer than most in the contemporary era of openings, and while the Chorlton natives have been frequenting it for a good 15+ years, it’s gained an entirely new following over the past 12 months.
There’s only one pub we ever hear people talking about as truly rivalling Mulligans for the best Guinness in Manchester, and it’s this one. With a simplistic, cosy, neighbourhood feel where you’re welcome as if you were a local, even if you’re not. Give it a try for yourself and see where it ranks.
11. Nancy Spains – NQ
Credit: The Manc
Here’s another one over in NQ known simply as Nancy Spains, which used to be known as Corner Boy, which was, technically, an Irish bar itself, but never quite fully managed to embrace that tradition and the Gaelic culture.
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Jump forward to know, though, and it turns out Spains isn’t just another bar in the green and gold boom: they’ve learned even more into the traditional side of things and made this a pretty simple, no-nonsense Irish pub – and in an age when lots of people are trying to do a bit of everything, it’s a breath of fresh air.
That’s not to say that we don’t love lots of the venues on this list that offer more than just really good Guinness in Manchester and that unmistakable feel you get when you walk into one, but sometimes it’s good to get back to basics and let the people help make a place what it is. Give it a try.
Our penultimate pick of the bunch is O’Malley’s over on the busy main road of Portland Street, but if you do happen to want a break from the hustle and bustle of traffic and passersby along the key Manc thoroughfare, this is a great place to do exactly that.
They do great deals all week long, not to mention the fact that they have live music, dancers, sport on the telly, and a pretty solid food menu, too.
Honestly, that’s pretty much all there is to say on this one; they quite literally let their pints and the punters do the talking… and singing, and dancing, etc. You get it.
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13. Kennedy’s – Didsbury Village and Altrincham
Credit: The Manc Group
Last but not least, we couldn’t finish this thing off without tipping our hats to one of the best and booziest Irish pubs in the game – especially now they’ve ventured out from the borough of Trafford and borders of Cheshire and made a real mark on Manchester.
We’re talking about Kennedy’s Irish Bar on Wilmslow Road, their second sister site along the main stretch of the suburb’s ever-busy restaurant and bar district. Having started in Altrincham, which also opened the adjoining Irish Deli back in October 2024, they’ve since moved even more central.
Once famous for its strict no under-25s policy in an attempt to prevent crowds of less-seasoned youngsters who maybe can’t quite handle their booze, they’ve now become one of the first places people swap a couple of stops on the main Didsbury Dozen list for – and for good reason: it’s a craicer.
Danny Jones -
9th September 2024 
