Whilst January might usually be the time some people start thinking about changing their eating habits, it also happens to be a great month to get deals at some of Manchester’s best restaurants.
From restaurants offering ‘Green January’ deals to beckon those dabbling in Veganuary, to a host of 50% off discounts across some of the best places to eat in the city, it’s never been more tempting to take yourself out for a dinner or two.
From half-price burgers to burritos, small plates, Sunday roasts and more, keep reading to discover the best Manchester January restaurant deals to take advantage of in 2023.
50% off food – Manchester January dining deals
Image: The Manc Eats
Maray is offering a ‘Green January’ discount with 50% off. all vegetarian and vegan plates. / Image: The Manc Eats
Almost Famous
What is it: Legendary burger bar (now in a new home on Edge Street) serving the original ‘dirty burgers’ as well as loaded fries and wings.
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The offer: 50% off burgers
T&Cs: Offer available Sunday to Friday all day starting from 2 January.
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Alvarium
What is it: A neighbourhood cocktail bar doing cheese boards, charcuterie boards, bread boards, nibbles and mezze.
The offer: 50% off food
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T&Cs: Available throughout January.
Bab
What is it: Kebabs, but served on plates – these are properly fancy affairs like flat iron steak, lamb adana and chickpea shawarma.
The offer: 50% off food
T&CS: Offer applies to Babs Monday to Wednesday, six people maximum.
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Banyan
What is it: A crowd-pleasing bar and restaurant with a menu that will satisfy even the fussiest of eaters and an unbeatable happy hour deal.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Sunday-Thursday from 2 January. Pre-booking essential.
The Bay Horse Tavern
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What is it: A brilliant little Northern Quarter gastropub famed for its pies, Sunday roasts and massive sandwiches.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Monday to Friday throughout January, booking recommended.
The Beeswing
What is it: New Kampus wine bar with a sun-soaked terrace (probably not right now), sandwiches and small plates.
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The offer: 50% off food and cocktails
T&Cs: Starting 11 January. Food and cocktails offer applies every Monday. 50% off food only from Wednesday to Friday.
BOX
What is it: An enormous sports bar with screens absolutely everywhere, serving platters, pizzas and burgers.
The offer: 50% off food.
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T&Cs: Available Sunday to Thursday starting 2 January.
The Blues Kitchen
What is it: A lively restaurant, bar and music venue that celebrates the culture of the Deep South through ribs, wings and soul food.
The offer: 50% off your food bill
T&Cs: Available from Sunday through to Thursday, 4pm – Close.
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Cane & Grain
What is it: Meaty – burgers, slow-cooked meat trays, wings, corn dogs, poutine and all sorts of other big bites from the USA.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Sunday to Friday, booking recommended (some dishes may include a supplement charge).
Chakalaka
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What is it: A South African bar serving authentic food like jaffle, bunny chow and boerewors.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: This applies to mains only between Sunday and Thursday throughout January.
Cibo
What is it: An Italian restaurant at the Great Northern, serving pasta cooked in a flaming cheese wheel.
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The offer: 50% off food
T&CS: A la carte menu only. Booking in advance required. Deal applies Sunday to Thursday throughout January.
The Drop Bar Cafe
What is it: A brilliant Caribbean cafe famed for its ‘hench boxes’ loaded with everything from Jerk chicken to curried goat to ackee and salt fish.
The offer: 50% off food
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T&Cs: Includes New Year’s Eve. Excludes Friday and Saturday after 6.30pm and Sunday between 2-6pm throughout January. Booking recommended.
Ducie Street Warehouse
What is it: A huge cultural hub serving small plates and disco brunches and good vibes.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Valid all day from Tuesday to Thursday, from 3 to 31 January. Booking recommended.
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Firefly
What is it: A glitzy spot across the water from Spinningfields, serving small plates influenced by south east Asia.
The offer: 50% off food and drinks
T&Cs: 50% off food available Wednesday to Friday. 50% off entire bill Sundays ONLY from 5pm.
Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
The Firehouse
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What is it: From Detroit-style pizzas to slow-fired meats and all sorts of other goodness, served from a former MOT garage.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Applies up to groups of twelve. Available from 4 January.
Gusto
What is it: A nationwide, family-friendly, high-end Italian restaurant with beautiful interiors.
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The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available all day Monday to Thursday, Fridays until 5pm.
La Bandera
What is it: One of Manchester’s most popular tapas restaurants, championing Spanish food from across the country.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Sunday to Thursday, applies to tapas when you buy a drink. Use booking code LB23 in advance to get the deal. Offer for maximum eight people.
The Lead Station
What is it: A Chorlton institution with a crowd-pleasing, top-quality menu.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Monday to Friday, 4.30-7pm throughout January. Bookings must be made online in advance. Maximum six people.
Manahatta
What is it: Glitzy cocktail bar famed for its bottomless brunches as well as burgers and sharers.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Pre booking essential. Available Sunday to Thursday throughout January.
Masons
What is it: Top-quality British food served in the beautiful surroundings of Manchester Hall, with a cracking deal throughout January.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available throughout January
Maray
What is it: Considered one of the country’s best restaurants, Maray serves Middle Eastern-inspired dishes.
The offer: 50% off vegan and vegetarian dishes
T&Cs: Available throughout January. Table must be booked in advance.
The Mews
What is it: A wine and charcuterie bar tucked away on Deansgate Mews, with a menu that includes a bottomless cheese fondue.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available throughout January. Some exclusions may apply.
Image: Nonna’s
Image: Nonna’s
Nell’s Pizza
What is it: Gigantic, New York-style pizzas from the team behind Common and The Beagle, served as slices or as 22″ pies.
The offer: 50% off pizza
T&Cs: Available Thursday to Sunday with a reservation.
Nonna’s
What is it: A hearty Italian pop-up running out of the kitchens at The Green Lab in Deansgate Square.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available until 16 January. Must book online in advance quoting JAN50.
Open Kitchen
What is it: A food waste enterprise-turned-cafe that creates a daily-changing menu by rescuing delicious ingredients before they head to the bin.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Menu changes daily. Available throughout January.
Pen and Pencil
What is it: A New York-inspired local favourite with ‘brunch, lunch, cocktails and good times’.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Applies to brunch and burgers only. Six people maximum.
Peru Perdu
What is it: A colourful Peruvian-inspired restaurant with ceviche, empanadas and Argentine meats.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available starting 6 January.
Provence
What is it: A gorgeous wine bar where you can wash down your natural wine with Manchester-made charcuterie and cheese boards.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Discount applies to grazing boards when purchasing a bottle of wine between 3 January and 7 February. Cannot be used with any other deal or experience.
The Refuge
What is it: One of Manchester’s most beautiful restaurant spaces, with a global menu made with local ingredients and another great January deal.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Applies to the All Day Menu only for advanced bookings on Mondays and Tuesdays starting 3 January.
The Shack
What is it: Burgers, chicken, fries and sides, dished up in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Applies Monday and Tuesday throughout January. 40% off Wednesdays, 30% off Thursdays and 20% off Fridays.
The Smithfield Social
What is it: Already a neighbourhood favourite after launching a year ago – brunches, small plates and roasts are all top-notch.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Monday to Friday between 4-9pm throughout January. Booking recommended.
Tahi
What is it: A Circle Square newcomer offering all-day dining inspired by New Zealand’s world-famous cafe culture.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available from 5pm Thursday to Saturday throughout January. 25% off food before 5pm Monday to Friday.
Thatziki
What is it: Excellent Greek street food and epic gyros.
The offer: 50% off gyros
T&Cs: Applies to all gyros in store, with an additional 40% off loaded fries. 30% discount available when ordering online.
Three Little Words
What is it: A hidden gem gin bar by Manchester Gin, where you can tuck into small plates while watching the distillery in action.
The offer: 50% off all food and selected cocktails
T&Cs: Available Wednesday and Thursday 5pm – midnight and Friday 12pm – 7pm. Booking not required but recommended. Use code JAN50 when making a reservation.
TNQ
What is it: A proper institution offering a little taste of bistro culture in the heart of the trendy Northern Quarter.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Applies to the A la Carte only Monday to Friday between 12-10pm. Maximum booking of six. Quote ‘JanSale’ when making booking online to get the deal.
Trof
What is it: Part of Manchester’s food and drink fabric – come for the city’s best fries, plus famous roast dinners and perfect burgers (and now for its January deal too).
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Tuesday to Friday from 10 January.
Wholesome Junkies
What is it: Junk food, but fully plant-based – and tasty enough to tempt even the most stubborn of carnivores.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available Monday to Friday.
Wood
What is it: MasterChef Simon Wood’s high-end restaurant down at First Street, perfect for a pre-theatre treat.
The offer: 50% off tasting menu and cheese
T&Cs: Half price tasting menu Wednesday to Friday evenings throughout January, 50% off cheese and wine at Homage.
Image: !0 Tib Lane
Image: !0 Tib Lane
Other Manchester January dining deals
Abeja at The Glass Spider
What is it: A Southern Spanish tapas kitchen serving up classic favourites alongside traditional dishes.
The offer: Three tapas plates and a bottle of sangria or wine for £30
T&Cs: Offer available every day.
10 Tib Lane
What is it: A newcomer already making a name for itself with classic cocktails, ‘natural wine that doesn’t scare you off’, and seasonal small plates.
The offer: 20% off food
T&Cs: Table must be booked in advance.
20 Stories
What is it: Ultra-glitzy restaurant and bar set way up amongst the city’s skyline.
The offer: £19.50 for two courses or £24.50 for three
T&Cs: Available Monday to Friday between 12pm-3pm throughout January.
The Black Friar
What is it: A classic pub reborn, with a huge new restaurant installed into a new glass extension.
The offer: £10 pie and mash
T&Cs: Available throughout January.
The Botanist
What is it: Another northern favourite, where kebabs are served hanging over plates of chips.
The offer: 2-for-1 on wings, hanging kebabs and cookie dough desserts.
T&CS: Available Monday to Wednesday throughout January.
Bold Street Coffee
What is it: Another Liverpool export making arguably the best coffees in town, as well as breakfast buns.
The offer: 10% off coffee beans
T&Cs: The deal applies to online purchases of coffee beans only.
Canto
What is it: A lovely Portuguese restaurant from the minds behind El Gato Negro.
The offer: Three courses for £18
T&Cs: Available Sunday to Friday throughout January.
Crazy Pedro’s
What is it: Gigantic pizzas with crazy and creative toppings, plus mezcal cocktails, all served until the early hours.
The offer: £12 pizzas, 2-4-£12 cocktails, £12 bottles of wine, £2.50 slices, £2.50 tequilas, £3 beers and cans.
T&Cs: Available seven days a week until 10pm each night throughout January.
Cottonopolis
What is it: A Japanese-inspired restaurant and bar in a historic corner of the Northern Quarter.
The offer: Four courses and a drink for £30.
T&Cs: Available throughout January.
District
What is it: A futuristic Thai restaurant turned into an even more futuristic cocktail bar.
The offer: 2-for-1 cocktails.
T&Cs: Available 5-7pm Wednesday to Sunday throughout January.
Dokes
What is it: Elnecot’s new pizza brand, where ingredients are sourced from the UK.
The offer: 30% off your bill
T&Cs: Available all week. Quote ‘January offer’ when booking in advance to get the deal.
Edinburgh Castle
What is it: Another classic pub reborn – cosy vibes and pies downstairs, fancy small plates upstairs.
The offer: Two courses with a drink £30, three for £35.
T&Cs: Available Wednesday to Friday between 5 – 6.30pm throughout January.
Image: Elnecot
Image: Elnecot
El Gato Negro
What is it: Widely considered one of Manchester’s best restaurants thanks to its world-leading tapas menus.
The offer: Three small plates for £18.
T&Cs: Available Sunday to Thursday throughout January.
Elnecot
What is it: A masterclass in how to run a neighbourhood restaurant – brunches, roasts, cocktails and great food all day.
The offer: 30% off your bill.
T&Cs: Available Monday to Saturday throughout January, deal includes brunch menu.
Image: Evelyn’s
Image: Evelyn’s
Evelyn’s
What is it: More great brunches and roasts, plus an all-day menu that’s just had an overhaul and is better than ever.
The offer: 30% off food
T&Cs: Applies to all-day brunch menu, available until 4pm Monday to Friday from 4 January. Quote Evelyns30 when ordering.
Folk
What is it: An independent neighbourhood bar with phenomenal fry-ups, flatbreads, and small plates.
The offer: 30% off food
T&Cs: Available Tuesday to Friday throughout January.
Habas
What is it: The third restaurant from El Gato Negro’s Simon Shaw, this time celebrating the middle east.
The offer: Two courses for £20 or three for £24
T&Cs: Available between 5 and 10pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout January.
The Jane Eyre
What is it: One of Greater Manchester’s best cocktail bar success stories – and arguably the best roast dinner in the city.
The offer: 25% off food
T&Cs: Applies at Ancoats site only between 3-9pm, Monday to Thursday.
The Liar’s Club
What is it: Tiki vibes until the early hours – expect your cocktails to arrive in a coconut, on fire, or both.
The offer: 2-4-£10 Cocktails
T&Cs: Available seven days a week until midnight throughout January.
Radjoot Tandoori
What is it: One of Manchester’s most long-standing Indian restaurants, and still family-run to this day, with a nice deal available in January.
The offer: 30% off food
T&Cs: Available Tuesday to Thursday throughout January. Only valid for 6 guests or fewer. Applies to A la Carte menu only. Add ‘JAN30’ in the name field of the booking to get the deal.
Frurt
The offer: Unlimited toppings at Frurt
T&Cs: The ‘no weigh weekday’ promotion gives you a medium cup of fro-yo for just £7 with unlimited topppings. Available until 26 January, Monday-Thursday between 12-6pm at all Frurt sites.
Feature image – Evelyns / Ramona and The Firehouse / Elnecot
Eats
The best cosy pubs in Manchester city centre to hide away on a winter’s day
Danny Jones
There’s no better feeling than being tucked up all warm and cosy in one of many wonderful pubs in Manchester on a cold day in Manchester, and we should know – we get more than our fair sharethroughout the year.
Wind, rain, sleet or snow, there’s nothing that a couple of pints in one of our many beloved boozers won’t remedy, and when it comes to the festive season, especially, there aren’t many places that make you feel as welcome as you would in your own front room like a proper cosy Manchester pub.
That’s why we’re giving you a heads-up on some of the very cosiest and most classic Manc pubs for you and yours to pile into when it’s miserable out.
We’ll cheers to that.
The 20 cosiest Manchester pubs
Let’s start with a personal favourite of ours that’s rather handily just around the corner from our office:
1. The Stables Tavern – St John’s
First up is one of our favourite new additions to Manchester’s growing list of cosy boozers, and possibly one of the most aesthetic ones you could dream up in your mind’s eye, and that is The Stables Tavern over in the fast-growing St John’s District.
It’s worth beginning by noting that these guys do booze first – be it mugs of mulled wine or frothy pints of Guinness and local ales – but you can grab a little pasty or even a winter bake at this time of year, which we would argue is the perfect pub snack. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re seriously missing out.
Credit: Adam Fagen (via Flickr)Credit: The Manc GroupStumble out of one and straight into the other.
Next up is The Vine Inn: another Manc office favourite that gives you the perfect blend of ‘old man pub’ vibes but with the kind of mass appeal that sees countless punters piling into the pub and crowding outside on the streets, it’s that loved.
Luckily, you should be able to squeeze inside when the temperatures drop as it’s spread across three quaint, almost mini-floors (with two separate bars, by the way) that make it feel kind of like a beer bungalow, and that’s why it’s one of the cosiest pubs you’ll find in Manchester.
3. Lass O’Gowrie – Oxford Road Corridor
Credit: The Manc GroupSo long as you’re wrapped up properly, that little outside bit is one of the cosiest pub spots in Manchester (Credit: Lass O’Gowrie via IG)
“I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour”, so the song goes, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Morrissey was singing about the Lass when he wrote this; there’s always plenty of cheering, laughing – and, most importantly, drinking in this popular city centre boozer.
Located just off Oxford Road, it offers everything from big screens showing the footy, hearty roast dinners perfect for this time of year, live comedy, music and more. What you’d call a traditional Manc pub kitted out with local memorabilia and filled with good people, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
4. The Circus Tavern – Portland Street
This is Manchester’s smallest pub, and as if that wasn’t cool enough, it’s also one of the oldest pubs in the region, so it’s a must-see if you ask us. A perfect little hobbit hole to cram in when it’s cold outside.
Built back in 1790, The Circus Tavern became a pub in 1840 and has been frequented by the likes of Georgie Best and many other famous Man United players down the years, many of whom you’ll see photos of on the walls. A tourist spot in its own right and, needless to say, very cosy indeed.
5. Mr Thomas’/Sam’s Chop House – Central
Just off Cross Street on the corner of Back Pool Fold, you’ll find what is, for our money, one of the ultimate cosy pubs you’ll find anywhere in Manchester city centre: Mr Thomas’ Chop House, a.k.a. ‘Old Tom’s’ — and then, head literally across the road and you’ll find its twin, Sam’s Chop House.
Set up by the Studd brothers of the same name, these two sibling boozers have been serving Mancs for over 150 years now and have grown a glowing reputation both for the beautiful condition of their historic bars and for their incredible food. If it was good enough for Lowry, it’s good enough for us.
Comfortably two of the cosiest pubs in town. (Credit: Tom’s Chop House via IG/The Manc)
6. The Marble Arch Inn – Ancoats
Heading over beyond Ancoats way and onto Rochdale Road, we have the birthplace of Marble Brewery and the company’s award-winning flagship venue, The Marble Arch. If you’re up for doing a winter’s day ‘the right way’, then The Marble Arch has to be involved.
With its gorgeous mosaic floors, ornate bar, nine hand-pull pumps serving brewery-fresh cask beer, eight carefully selected keg lines on rotation and a partridge in a pear tree, it’s simply one of the prettiest and most traditional pubs you could ask for. The food’s mega too.
Heading over to Salford now, and we’ve got another beautiful boozer in The Kings Arms: a long-standing and simply sublime pub located not too far out of the city centre that’s well worth running into if you’re over that way and happen to get caught in the wind and rain.
Owned by adopted Manc musician Paul Heaton and made even more famous by live-in celebrity cat, Charlie, this real ale house with six curated hand pumps is a Manchester institution, not to mention great for live music and stand-up. Come on, what’s more cosy than a pub that comes with its own cat?
Sticking in Salford for a spell but down the road to Bexley Square, we always feel the lovely little spot that is The New Oxford never gets anywhere near as much credit as it should, given its charm and incredible lineup of real ales and Belgian beers.
Situated on a scenic cobbled corner that could easily be mistaken for some rural road in a small Cheshire village, this place is always packed with footy fans and a few extras in its courtyard during the summer months, but the regulars always know what’s up — not to mention they do a decent pint of Guinness too.
In case you missed it, @thenewoxfordpub over in Salford has a lick of paint and then some! 🤩
With renovators working round the clock for three weeks straight, the beloved local boozer is back open and looking better than ever.
Described as having the ‘oldest pub ceiling in the world’, you can collapse into a comforting armchair by the fire and muse over The Crown Kettle‘s 286-year-old history, pint in hand and plenty of tunes filling the room for sure.
With live music and DJ sets, regular beer-centric events, bingo, the odd pub quiz and plenty more, it’s no surprise this almost statuesque Manchester drinking staple has been named one of the best in the region — and it’s plenty cosy too, believe us.
Not just a super cosy pub but apparently one of the best reviewed watering holes in the region.
10. Peveril Of The Peak – Central
If you close your eyes and picture a proper English pub, there’ll be round tables, old tiles stained with decades of history, an unbeatable selection of beer, and a jukebox that’s regularly manned by loveable regulars who always make sure to keep the room filled with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.
That’s exactly what you get with the Peveril Of The Peak: an iconic Manc boozer whose green exterior you can spot from a mile away. It’s only a small gaff but packed with plenty of history, all the best people, and it’s still being looked after by the city’s longest-serving landlady to this day. A good old gaff.
Hallowed, cosy and homely – truly one of the most legendary pubs in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc)
11. The Briton’s Protection – Central
From one historic pub to another, you can head over to Great Bridgewater Street and channel your inner Tommy Shelby as you neck a neat bit of bourbon or scotch to warm the cockles and listen to the crackling flames of the open fires at The Britons Protection.
Another oldie but a goldie, the Briton was established in 1811 and has remained a local favourite snug pub ever since, showcasing over 300 whiskies as well as homemade pies and pasties at lunch. This piece of public house heritage has been under threat for a while now, but we Mancs are keeping it alive.
Come on, as if we were going to leave out not only a contender for the ultimate cosy pub but possibly the very best boozer in all of Manchester. As well as serving comfortably the best Guinness in all the 10 boroughs and supposedly ‘the best outside of Ireland’, it’s also just everything you want on a cold day.
With live music every day, sport on the box pretty much 24/7; multiple lovely little nooks and more than enough bodies to keep the place warm even in the height of winter, not to mention a whole new second floor, Mulligans of Deansgate is now twice the worldie it already was. Sláinte!
An award-winning music venue and a bloody good pub, ditch the open-air venues and stuffy bars this winter and dip into the cosy Eagle Inn instead and bask in its comforting warmth.
Combining a traditional pub that delivers a real sense of ‘old Manchester’ with live music and three small rooms off a central corridor with a central bar — historically known by locals as ‘The Lamp Oil’ — The Eagle can’t really be called Salford’s hidden gem anymore: it’s a rite of passage at this point.
Heading over the other side of the Irwell and to the picturesque canals of Castlefield, waterside pub and restaurant The Wharf is undoubtedly one of the cosiest pubs in Manchester, with the ground floor feeling like one big lounge, the upstairs making for the perfect cosy date night spot and the outdoor terrace just as much a dream in winter as it is summer.
With amazing pub grub, a massive and ever-rotating drinks menu, as well as a patio that feels just as warming as the indoors with its big tipi and overhead heaters come winter, plus live music, hosting local clubs and various other events throughout the year, this place has it all. Plenty of cute pups, too.
Back into the centre now and toward Gay Village for what remains one of the most cosy-feeling pubs we’ve ever been in full stop, let alone just in 0161. If you’ve never been to The Molly House, then you seriously need to right that wrong.
With a name that harks back to a fascinating backstory, there’s nothing more welcoming than the sight of the open hearth, the waft of their irresistible tapas menu, the glow of their multi-coloured Tiffany-style lampshades and a drinks menu to suit all tastes. It’s even better at Christmas – enjoy!
Just a couple of blocks over and back onto Portland Street, you’ve also got the Circus Tavern’s equally pokey little neighbour, The Grey Horse Inn. Once again, it’s among the smallest you’ll find in Manchester, but it’s much more than a mere hole in the wall.
This single-room pub is one of the oldest buildings anywhere in Manchester and is run by Hydes Brewery. Basically just one not-so-big living room plonked right along one of the busiest roads in the city, this place is another very thing slice of Manc hospitality history.
Credit: Grey Horse Inn (via Facebook)
17. Cask – Castlefield and New Islington Marina
Circling back towards Castlefield again, you’ll find the original Cask and its lovely owners, who have been serving local crafts and fine Belgian imports for over two decades now. The staff are beyond sound and always happy to talk you through the lineup; they even let you bring in your chippy from next door.
With a nice little garden area tucked away in the back, cosy booths and board games to be enjoyed, it’s no wonder they wanted to replicate their success with the sister bar over towards Ancoats and the Marina — and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Two very welcoming spots all year round.
18. The Bay Horse Tavern – Northern Quarter
Not too far from there, you’ll find an NQ favourite in The Bay Horse Tavern: two floors of pure warmth, good vibes, proper food and a steady flow of the good stuff.
From its twinkly fairly light-draped interior to the perfectly dim-lit interior and variety or deals running throughout the week, the Thomas Street staple is busy no matter the season but there’s something very special about it in the winter. Top-tier Sunday roasts incoming.
Looks super pretty at this time of yearThey even still serve Boddies.Unreal food too.Credit: The Bay Horse Tavern (via Instagram)/The Manc Group
19. The Old Wellington – Exchange Square
Our penultimate stop is yet another historic site and cultural cornerstone that stood in Manchester for centuries — just not quite the same spot. Shambles Square feels fitting given how many times we’ve stumbled out of this place of a weekend.
Famously put up on stilts and relocated along with the attached Sinclairs Oyster Bar (also not a bad shout for this list), The Old Wellington might just be the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in Ye Olde England, stumbling across a tavern and bedding in on a rainy night with tankards full of mead. At least that’s what we always imagine when we’re in there, anyway. Long live The Old Welly.
Last but by no means least, no list of cosy Manchester pubs is complete without the always popular and music-filled Castle Hotel over on Oldham Street — another storied venue that only seems to get better with age.
Whether it’s live music or the jukebox, a solid Guinness or a pint of Robinson’s, this tightly-packed space is one of those where you’ll never leave without bumping into a familiar face or having a friendly chat with a total stranger. With multiple rooms, an upstairs and a simple but classic British pub aesthetic, you just can’t beat spots like this.
We hope that puts you in good stead for places to enjoy a cold one this winter, pardon the pun.
It goes without saying that lists like these are never going to every corner of Manchester justice and there are countless other cosy pubs that we would heartily recommend you settle in at when it’s baltic outside, but the list would go on forever if we did that and this should get you started at least.
The same goes for the rest of the 10 boroughs; we’re sure wherever you live in Greater Manchester you’ll know plenty more than us about the cosiest spots near you, but in case you’re looking to venture further out of the region, we’ve put together a list of a few corkers that are a bit more out of the way.
Featured Images – The Bay Horse Tavern/Kings Arms (via Instagram)/Amie Johnson (via Unsplash)
Eats
The 10 restaurant and bar closures that shocked Greater Manchester in 2025
Daisy Jackson
Greater Manchester has one of the most exciting and fastest-growing restaurant scenes on the planet – but that doesn’t make our city immune from hospitality closures, as 2025 has shown.
Given the economic climate and the increasing pressures on hospitality, it’s actually shocking (and a relief) that we haven’t lost even more beloved local spots.
In 2025, there have been some high-profile closures in Manchester that no one saw coming, as we bid a sad farewell to some local legends.
The good news is that the number of openings still outstrips the number of closures – you can see some of the biggest spots we welcomed last year HERE.
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Almost Famous
Greater Manchester
Almost Famous / Credit: The Manc Group
It’s no surprise that this was one of the biggest stories in Manchester in 2025, because we simply could not believe our eyes when Almost Famous announced its closure.
The burger craze of the mid-2010s may have died down, but this spot had always felt like a Northern Quarter OG with a loyal enough following to stand the test of time.
Alas, it closed its doors very suddenly back in January, shortly followed by its sister smash burger brand Super Awesome Deluxe, with a staggering outcry and a lot of fall-out locally.
Thankfully, a short while later it was rescued by the team behind PINS Social Club.
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Hip Hop Chip Shop
Ancoats
Hip Hop Chip Shop / Credit: The Manc Group
Another sad day for the Manchester food scene arrived in February, when Ancoats favourite The Hip Hop Chip Shop announced its closure.
Having first opened in 2014 as a street food stall, to opening their own site in Ancoats, the present financial pressures took their toll, and Hip Hop Chip Shop shut its shutters just a few weeks later.
We still fantasise about their battered halloumi.
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Another Heart To Feed
Northern Quarter
Another Heart to Feed / Credit: The Manc Group
It felt like one of the Northern Quarter’s top brunch spots, and with queues around the block nearly all the time, seemed like a safe spot.
But the award-winning Another Heart to Feed’s popularity was not enough to overcome the challenges facing the industry.
In their statement, this lovely brunch spot and wine bar thanked customers and staff, past and present – you can read more here.
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Mother Mary’s
Oxford Road
Mother Mary’s / Credit: The Manc Group
One of Manchester’s newest Irish bars announced its sudden and immediate closure in November, citing financial pressures.
Mother Mary’s took over the old student haunt that was Font bar, just off Oxford Road, filling the venue with a state-of-the-art sound system for hosting live music and club nights.
It was much more than just an Irish bar and had become a safe space for so many locals – accessible, queer-inclusive, independent, and dedicated to championing local talent.
One of Manchester’s most legendary bars closed its doors after 13 beautiful years in the city earlier this year, shocking us and everyone who loved it.
Sandinista quietly shut down in October, throwing one final knees-up for loyal (and very sad) punters.
The bar, just off St Ann’s Square, was famed for its menu of beers, tequila, and cocktails, including a pint of Zombie served on fire.
There’ll never be another one like it.
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Bohemian Arts Club
Stockport
Bohemian Arts Club / Credit: The Manc Group
Stockport lost a good one back in September – Bohemian Arts Club, the stunning cocktail bar launched by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie, closed for good.
It had been a much-loved addition to town, a real vintage-style speakeasy serving top quality drinks, and you could feel all the love the couple had poured into it (even down to the heart-shaped chairs handmade by Katie’s mum and dad).
Thankfully, it stayed in the family – Katie’s incredibly successful Bohemian Salon has expanded from downstairs to take over the entire three-storey building.
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Feel Good Club
Northern Quarter
Feel Good Club / Credit: Supplied
After five incredible years in the city, brewing up some of the finest coffee, serving an all-day brunch menu full of all your favourite comfort food dishes, hosting countless events, and just generally being a wholesome community space for anyone and everyone who needs it, it’s the end of the road for Feel Good Club.
Founders Kiera and Aimie sadly announced they would be closing the doors to their Northern Quarter cafe in the summer, after struggling to stay afloat this past year like so many other local indies.
They said: “We’ve had the time of our lives, and met the most incredible people along the way.”
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Kala
Manchester City Centre
It was part of Gary Usher’s acclaimed group of restaurants, but Elite Bistros shut down one of its top spots earlier this year.
City centre bistro Kala closed for good back in June, with a heartfelt and very honest statement.
Usher wrote: “Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.”
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Medlock Canteen
New Jackson
Medlock Canteen / Credit: The Manc Group
Just months after celebrating its first birthday, Medlock Canteen announced it was moving out of the Deansgate Square neighbourhood.
The brilliant local restaurant served a really gorgeous menu that included rotisserie chicken, full English breakfasts, and quite possibly Manchester’s best Caesar salad.
It was all proper hearty food that you actually want to eat, with a stunning mid-century restaurant space and great drinks too.
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Osma
Prestwich
Osma / Credit: The Manc Group | Osma
Prestwich’s burgeoning restaurant scene was dealt a major blow at the start of 2025, when Osma announced its closure.
The Scandi-esque restaurant was a front-runner of Prestwich’s ever-growing food and drink scene since it opened in 2020, fronted by Manchester born Danielle Heron, who you might recognise from the Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, alongside Sofie Stoermann-Naess.
You can still find their brilliant cooking at Exhibition in the city centre, but as for the restaurant itself, Osma said they ‘struggled to find experience staff, leaving us with little to no personal life’.
Georgina Pellant -
16th January 2023 
