Eats

You can visit loads of the UK’s best bars this week, without ever leaving Manchester

Erm, yes please.

Daisy Jackson - 8th March 2024

When the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars list was announced last month, it’s safe to say Manchester cleaned up.

Our city’s fantastic bar scene managed to take the number one spot with Schofield’s, along with Blinker (6th), Speak In Code (12th), and Project Halcyon (21st).

But the rest of the bars on the prestigious list are a bit further afield – at least, until now.

For there are so many events taking place at bars across town in the next week that you’ll be able to sample 12 of the country’s best bars without needing to board a single train.

The great and good of the country’s hospitality industry will all be piling in up north for the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibit at Manchester Central.

And as always, the city will be buzzing with special events at bars and restaurants all over the city centre.

Right then, back to the boozing.

Stray x Callooh Callay. Credit: Supplied

First up will be Callooh Callay at Stray bar (a newcomer that’s surely in with a shot at the Top 50 next year).

London’s Callooh Callay placed 38th this year, and it’s a bar that’s really standing the test of time, having first opened in 2008.

They’ve won a long list of accolades over the years with their themed menus and creative approach, and are promising Manchester an evening of ‘serious nonsense’.

On the same day, you’ll find Copenhagen’s Ruby bar (which has previously placed in the Top 50 in the world) at Blinker on Spring Gardens.

Blinker in Manchester made the top 10 of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group

For one night only, they’ll be serving up a taste of Copenhagen here in Manchester, utilising Danish products in their drinks.

It’s walk-ins only between 4pm and 9pm.

Project Halcyon has got it all happening on Wednesday, brining four of the country’s best bars together in its hidden gem Bonded Warehouse venue.

There’ll be Murder Inc (15th), The Hideout (25th) and Callooh Callay (38th) behind the bar from 6pm.

And the third-best bar in the UK this year, Birmingham’s Passing Fancies, will be taking over part of Thomas Street.

Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group

The Thomas Street Takeover will also involve Manolo from Liverpool and El Guapo from Newcastle, who’ll each take one floor at Cane and Grain for the night.

Amaro Bar, which just this year made it to number eight in the Top 50 Bars, along with Twice Shy will be joining 10 Tib Lane behind their beautiful bar – and this one involves a free drink to the first 25 people through the doors.

All that, of course, is in addition to the rest of the Top 50 list that is homegrown talent – Schofields, Speak In Code, and ‘one to watch’ Red Light.

Happy drinking everyone.

Featured image: The Manc Group