Eats
The very best Irish pubs in Manchester
Irish bars are just the best, aren't they?
Danny Jones -
15th March 2024 
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?
The best Irish pubs and bars in Manchester
1. Mulligans – Deansgate
@the.manc How do they get their Guinness so perfect? 👀 #themanc #guinness #stpaddysday #irish #irishpub #guinnessdrinker ♬ original sound – The Manc
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.
2. O’Sheas – Central
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 helps.
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
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, as well 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 has very quickly become a go-to for many punters 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
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.
5. Lass O’Gowrie -Oxford Road Corridor
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
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. 🇮🇪☘️
— The Manc (@TheMancUK) September 21, 2024
NQ's newest opening is an instant hit as far as we're concerned. 😍#manchesterirish #Guinness #northernquarter pic.twitter.com/BFdbiw2I1E
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, it’s been an instant hit with locals and is as busy as its predecessor was.
It’s also just opened up its second site over in south Manchester 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.
7. Mother Mary’s – New Wakefield Street
Shortly before The Salmon, though, we got the resurrection of another city centre favourite in the form of Mother Mary’s, which took over the old Font site: another iconic haunt familiar to most Manc during their uni days or anyone who’s been on a night out along Oxford Road.
Well, this affordable little day-to-night venue that boasts everything from handmade pizzas (which are free with your first two drinks during happy hour) to live music, trad sessions and more is technically on New Wakefield St, but it’s already enjoying the overflow of the main student strip as it was once did under its old name.
It’s biggest draw? Probably the £5 Guinness during Happy Hour, we can’t lie. ‘Look after the pennies, the pounds take care of themselves’ and all that.
8. O’Connell’s – New Wakefield St
Quite literally just next door you’ll find one of the very latest Irish pubs in Manchester which has replaced the old Thirsty Scholar underway the Oxford Rd archways, 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
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.
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.
10. Duffy’s Bar – Chorlton-cum-Hardy
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.
Read more:
- The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 11 – 17 March 2024
- Manchester’s massive Irish Festival has arrived for 2024 with 200 events over 10 days
- The best cosy pubs in Manchester city centre to hide away on a winter’s day
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Featured Images — The Manc Group
