Eats

The Manchester city centre bar with over 570 different bottles of gin on its back bar

This gin institution has been a fixture on Deansgate since 1996.

Georgina Pellant - 30th June 2023

If you consider yourself something of a gin lover and you’ve not yet been to Atlas Bar in Manchester city centre, well, prepare yourself for a ruddy great time.

This Deansgate institution has been a fixture on the edge of Castlefield since 1996 and is described by some as a Manchester icon, for good reason.

With a gorgeous outside terrace area overlooking the Manchester skyline, and a warm and inviting atmosphere inside, come rain or shine you’re guaranteed a warm welcome at Atlas Bar.

A longstanding favourite of gin lovers, the team has over 570 bottles of gin on its back bar at its last count – and you can try them all.

There’s a flavour style for everyone – whether you like London dry, a big American wet, a fruity gin, a pink gin, an old Tom or a genever – and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable, should you get overwhelmed by the extensive list.

A good way to get stuck in is to sample their gin tasting flights, priced at £10 each for a selection of three handpicked gins, perfectly paired with garnishes and tonics selected to highlight the unique botanicals in each bottle.

Highlights on the menu include Spanish gin 5th Gin Fire, a traditional London dry with a soft pink hue and highly aromatised flavour delivered by red berries with a touch of balsamic, and the Four Pillars Rare – a gin that is really close to Atlas owners’ Mark and Elaine’s hearts.

Launching in the UK first, here at Atlas, the owners and distillers of this amazing Australian gin, have become great friends of the team here.

Distilled in the beautiful Yarra Valley, wine region, in a still named Wilma, the Four Pillars Rare gin is made with some wonderful local botanicals including Tasmanian Pepper berry and Lemon Myrtle.

Other gin must-tries include Guernsey based gin Unit 6, small batch gin Solway, premium small batch gin Kuro and Divine Raspbery, the latter distilled by Ray Woolhead in nearby Holmfirth.

Of course, it’s not all about the gin here as Atlas also stocks a vast range of draught and bottled beers, ciders, spirits, Champagnes and wines, as well as serving up a solid all day menu of breakfast dishes and tasty bar snacks.

You can also order unusual bottles of gin to collect at the bar or for delivery from Atlas, as well as some fabulous home gin experiences.

For gin lovers looking for something new in the city, there’s really nowhere better.

Featured image – The Manc Eats