Ten of the best restaurants and bars to visit on a date in Manchester
From swanky sky-high bars, restaurants and terraces to chilled out daytime venues, we've picked out some of Manchester's best places to go to on a date
Dates are meant to be fun, romantic, staring into each other’s eyes and all the rest. But the stress of organising them is far from enjoyable.
Scrolling through Google, Instagram and TripAdvisor reviews from two years ago is exhausting and gets you nowhere, leaving you tearing your hair out before the date’s even begun.
Stress no more, though, because we’ve done the research for you to help you bring back the breeziness to your dating life.
Keep reading to discover our list of perfect venues to take a date in Manchester.
With the choice of sitting in either the restaurant or bar whilst enjoyin some of the best views of the city, 20 Stories is a date night must / Image: 20 Stories Manchester
20 Stories
Spinningfields
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Picture this: reclining on an oversized cushion, cocktail in hand, low lighting and an unbeatable 360-degree view of our stunning city of Manchester. Romantic right? Well, you can live the dream at 20 Stories.
Kitted out with a rooftop restaurant, cocktail bar and rooftop garden terrace towering above Manchester, 20 Stories is located in the heart of Spinningfields.
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Cocktails are a given and they even have their own Tanqueray menu, but if that doesn’t tickle your fancy then try their Afternoon Tea instead and add a new element of class to your dating life.
Note that the dress code is smart, they kindly ask you to ditch the football shirt and we would recommend making a booking, their views are in pretty high demand.
Image: Dukes 92
Duke’s 92
Castlefield
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Duke’s 92 canalside car overlooks the Rochdale canal and is perfect for a chilled but romantic evening out. Subtly flirt over classy starters like crispy chilli beef before getting down to the good stuff with mains like 10oz rib-eye steak and pan-fried seabass.
Relax on the wooden terrace and watch the sunset over Manchester’s iconic redbrick canals or, for those who prefer it by the fire, the interiors here are also stunning – and you can watch the bar staff whip up some impressive cocktails behind the huge bar.
Bookings are not necessary, there is a large number of tables for food and drink on a first-come, first-served basis every day.
Image: Bar San Juan
Bar San Juan
Chorlton-cum-Hardy
For those who want to get away from the city, Bar San Juan is a hidden gem in the suburbs of Manchester. Date the Spanish way with authentic tapas dishes, red wine, sangria and round wooden tables set against mismatched tiled walls.
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If you’re a croquette lover, chorizo kind of couple or just really into your padron peppers, it’s all delicious quality at really affordable prices.
Diners can eat alfresco on the edge of Chorlton’s colorful streets or tucked into the intimate booths inside. Not only do you feel you’ve gotten away from Manchester, but you might as well have hopped on a plane to Spain together.
Image: Australasis
Australasia
Spinningfields
If you’re going for super chic elegance, this is the place to go. A real dress-up spot perfect for date night, Australasia aims to capture the true essence of modern Australia with light and open decor.
A unique cocktail list includes sweet martinis flavoured with rose and lycee, green apple, or kiwi and honey martini, amongst staples like pornstars and gin and tonics.
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You and your date can go unnoticed in their intimate booths, enjoying cocktails and sushi in private. Come prepared to spend a bit more than usual, splitting the bill is probably a good idea here.
Image: Hatch
Hatch
Under the Mancunian way on Oxford Road
A bustling hub of different bars and street food traders, Hatch is a party amongst large shipping containers. A great place for a lighthearted casual date with lots of people around, your conversation can flow easily – but if there are awkward silences you can happily make three a crowd.
Find street food, communal tables, and lots of beer in this independent village hidden beneath the Manchester bypass in a tangle of fairy lights and greenery. Hatch is a sanctuary from the concrete streets outside.
Image: Tattu
Tattu
Spinningfields
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Get your cameras ready, because the whole interior at Tattu screams “Instagram me!” A huge, pink statement blossom tree sits in the middle of the upstairs restaurant, surrounded by oriental hints and sleek dark features.
Contemporary Chinese cuisine and cocktails labeled Geisha’s secret and crouching tiger are as sexy as they sound and great to set the mood. Previously named as one of the most romantic restaurants in the world, Tattu has long been a favourite date night spot for some of Manchester’s most famous couples.
Tattu’s attention to detail will make your date flawless and definitely a night to remember. Be warned, your bank account will probably remember it too.
Image: YES
YES
Charles Street, Manchester
Grab a slice and a cocktail in the downstairs bar, then head up to the roof garden for an absolute class setting for a date. Think exposed brick and hanging plants, a covered outdoor terrace and a cosy little nook inside too.
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An absolute steal on the cocktails deals, YES is also very generous with slices of pizza costing just £2.80.
At three stories high, YES has loads of events on offer in the afternoons and evenings. If you don’t want your date to end, then head down to The Pink Room on the middle floor to catch some live music – there’s always something good on here.
Image: Mackie Mayor
Mackie Mayor
Swan Street, Northern Quarter
Who says dates have to just be in the evening? If you’re someone that prefers a cool daytime meet-up, Mackie Mayor is the place to be.
Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, vegan, veggie – they do it all. Dine under the amazing glass roof of the 1858 market turned cosmopolitan food hall. All open plan, simply place your order and then wait for them to bring the food (and drinks) to you.
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An easy location in the Northern Quarter means your date doesn’t have to end there, in fact, if it’s going well you can go on to enjoy an afternoon visiting all of Manchester’s sights.
Rivington Brewing Co – The beautiful country walk that ends at a taproom with stunning views
Daisy Jackson
After a long afternoon of trudging through the countryside in whatever weather conditions the North throws at you, there’s nothing quite like the reward of a crisp pint.
And on a particularly beautiful walk right on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, we stumbled upon a taproom that might just provide the best drinking background in the region.
Let’s start with the walk details.
If you haven’t yet been exploring the trails and paths around Rivington, you’re missing out on a real stunner of a hike.
There are countless loops you can do around the area, providing the best bits of all countryside settings.
You want woods? They’ve got em. A nice flat walk beside a body of water? Rivington’s got it. A decent uphill trudge ending in absolutely stunning views? Yep, that’s here too.
A highlight of this corner of the North West is the Rivington Terraced Gardens, which will try to transport you to Italy and Japan all while only just stepping outside Bolton.
These 100-year-old gardens were created by the Lord of Leverhulme and inspired by his travels, and have been carefully restored in recent years by teams of volunteers.
Walking around the footpaths and flights of steps you’ll stumble upon a hidden Japanese Garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves, ending up at the top of Rivington Pike with panoramic views.
Rivington Pike. Credit: GetLostMCR
From here, you can keep going along to Winter Hill for arguably even more impressive views, or start to loop back down the hill to the water’s edge, passing Liverpool Castle as you go.
And here is where the beer comes in.
If you pass through the village of Rivington itself and walk along Horrobin Lane which crosses the two reservoirs, you’ll find yourself at the Rivington Brew Co Tap.
This is huge taproom is a haven for modern craft beer, with absolutely loads of brews to choose from and a can fridge if the 20-odd taps don’t have what you fancy.
There’s plenty of cosy spaces inside the fairylight-strewn converted barn building, but the beer garden is the star of the show.
Inside the bar at Rivington Brew Co TapSo many pints to choose fromThe Rivington Brew Co Tap beer garden
There are views from here right across the water and all the way to Pigeon Tower and Winter Hill, with plenty of space for big groups.
And dotted all around the outdoor area are a rotating selection of street food traders, serving everything from pizza to burgers to cakes.
In situ currently, you’ll find Bun Chicken Bun, who are serving up a menu of 24-hour-brined crispy chicken, as burgers, tenders, Caesar salads, and loads more.
They’ve also got pots of mac and cheese that will give you such a long mozzarella cheese pull, you’ll have to stand up to snap it.
Chicken burger and loaded fries from Bun Chicken BunPots of macaroni cheeseMargo’s pizzasBun Chicken Bun’s homemade chicken gravyA spread of food from the traders at Rivington Brew Co Tap
AND they’re doing loads of loaded fries, other sides like corn ribs, and incredible chicken gravy.
Across the courtyard you’ll find Margo’s, serving New York-style pizzas on charming checkerboard plates.
These brilliant thin and crispy slices come topped with everything from fried chicken (a collab with Bun Chicken Bun), blue cheese and buffalo sauce; to parma ham, fresh rocket and balsamic.
And completing the trifecta of street food traders is Meld (devastatingly, not open the day we visited), which is bringing great burgers and tacos to Rivington Taproom.
They’re also serving what I think might be Greater Manchester’s first beer garden small plates, like king prawns in gochujang butter, burrata and peach toast, and padron peppers.
If you’re looking for a belting Saturday afternoon activity, this is absolutely the one.
You can look a walk in the area that suits your ability here.
Huge sale on Manchester theatre tickets launches, with shows from £11.70
Daisy Jackson
Theatre ticket prices have been slashed in a huge flash sale in Manchester, with big discounts on some of the world’s most famous shows.
Fans will be able to see iconic musicals, plays, and ballets from as little as £11.70, thanks to the ATG Tickets Summer Saver sale.
The theatre ticket platform’s sale has seen tickets reduced by up to 25% for productions performing at both the Palace Theatre and the Opera House Manchester.
Shows taking part in this year’s summer sale include Matilda The Musical, Annie, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, Back to the Future The Musical, and even Magic Mike Live.
Theatre shows included in the flash sale in Manchester include smash-hit musical Jersey Boys, which returns to Palace Theatre this September.
ATG Tickets has lowered prices for the musical, which features the greatest hits of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, to as low as £11.70.
Tickets for Jersey Boys range from £12.08 to £54.45 in the flash sale, with excellent availability at the time of writing.
Also included in the Manchester sale is Trainspotting the Musical, where tickets are as low as £14.99.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical performs at the Palace Theatre this November.
Burlesque The Musical is included in the theatre tickets saleBack to the Future The Musical in Manchester also has tickets on sale
Next up for Manchester is Burlesque The Musical, which returns to the city for a run of shows at Opera House Manchester next January.
Tickets for Burlesque The Musical, a powerhouse show with songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren, are priced from just £11.70 in the ATG Summer Saver.
And finally, Back To The Future The Musical returns to Manchester in Summer 2027, with a good handful of tickets now available from just £14.89.
The multi award-winning musical – based off the beloved 1985 film of the same name – had its world premiere in Manchester back in 2020 but the run was cut short by Covid. Now it’s heading back out on a UK tour.
You can see all the theatre shows included in the ATG Summer Saver tickets sale HERE.
Dolly Busby -
4th October 2021 
