It’s been a long time coming, but non-essential retail, gyms, hairdressers, and a raft of other venues are welcoming customers back through their doors, and crucially for the city’s foodies, of course, this means that pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can reopen for outdoor service only for the first time in three months.
Eager to get back to business, many venues began taking bookings for reopening once the roadmap was first announced.
Others have instead opted for a walk-in service only however, which is great news for those who didn’t plan ahead of time, so don’t worry if you didn’t manage to bag a booking at your favourite local hangout, Manchester city centre is filled with places that are still serving.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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The Alchemist
Spinningfields
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The Alchemist in Spinningfields has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Almost Famous
Northern Quarter
Almost Famous in the Northern Quarter has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
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Alvarium
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter’s vegan-friendly kitchen and bar Alvarium has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Atlas Bar
Deansgate
Situated in the railway arches of Deansgate, Atlas Bar – which has been a Manchester icon for two decades – has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Bay Horse Tavern
Northern Quarter
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Popular Northern Quarter hangout Bay Horse Tavern has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins on a first-come-first-served basis until 17th May, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Black Milk
Northern Quarter
Those with a sweet tooth will be glad to hear that Black Milk has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Birria Brothers Tacos
Northern Quarter
Based at popular eatery The Koffee Pot in the Northern Quarter for the foreseeable, Birria Brothers Tacos has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on Instagram here.
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Bunny Jacksons
First Street
Bunny Jacksons has recently expanded its outdoor seating area in preparation for reopening, and has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins only from this week. You can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
While bookings are still being taken, this vibrant neighbourhood eatery in the heart of Ancoats has still made the decision to hold back a number of tables for walk-ins, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
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The Crown & Kettle
Ancoats
This popular Ancoats pub has been teasing brand new heated and covered terraces at both the front and back on social media in recent weeks, and has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Cane and Grain
Northern Quarter
Another one of the Northern Quarter’s most popular hangouts, Cane and Grain has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins on a first-come-first-served basis, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Cafe North
Northern Quarter
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This much-loved breakfast and brunch spot on the edge of the Northern Quarter has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Ciaoooo Pizzeria
Northern Quarter
One of Manchester’s most beloved Neapolitan pizzerias, Caiooo, has made the decision to continue with its popular takeaway service and only reopen for walk-ins as and when the weather allows.
You can find menus, opening times and more information on Instagram here.
Common
Northern Quarter
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After a successful summer and pizza takeaway service throughout lockdown, Common has made the decision to reopen its popular Northern Quarter site for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Corn Exchange
The following eateries are reopening for walk-ins in the Corn Exchange, and you can find menus, opening times and more information for each place on the website here:
Banyan
The Cosy Club
Salvi’s
Zizzi
Vapiano
Dehli House Cafe
Crown and Anchor
Northern Quarter
On the corner of Port Street and Tib Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Crown and Anchor has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins at its newly-refurbished outdoor seating area.
You can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
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Cutting Room Square
The following pubs, bars and restaurants are reopening for walk-ins at Anocats’ popular Cutting Room Square, and you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website for each place.
Jane Eyre
Canto
Nam
Elnecot
Second City
Dukes 92
Castlefield
Only taking reservations for its covered areas, Castlefield’s finest Dukes 92 has made the decision to leave the rest of its large outdoor seating area for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Ducie Street Warehouse
Northern Quarter
A brand new “all day dining and drinking” outdoor terrace is opening up at Ducie Street Warehouse this week, and while bookings are being taken, walk-in service is also expected, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
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You can also find more information about some of the events happening here.
Edinburgh Castle
Ancoats
To continue to serve the residents of Ancoats with “exceptional food and drink”, Edinburgh Castle has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Feel Good Club
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter’s mental health and wellness cafe has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins at its new outdoor seating area from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
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Hatch
Oxford Road
Award-winning food, drink and retail destination, Hatch, may already be booked up, but has kept 50% of its tables back for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Impossible MCR
Great Northern
While Impossible is currently booked up at the weekends for the foreseeable, there is still availability for walk-ins during the week and potentially on Sunday, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Lawn Club
Spinningfields
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After expanding its outdoor seating area ahead of reopening, The Lawn Club has made the decision to allow walk-ins from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Oast House
Spinningfields
Undoubtedly one of Spinningfields’ most-sought-after sun traps, The Oast House has held a portion of its tables back for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Port Street Beer House
Northern Quarter
With only a handful of outdoor tables available, the popular Port Street Beer House has made the decision to keep them for walk-ins only from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
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Rudy’s
Peter Street & Ancoats
If it’s traditional Neapolitan pizza you’re after, Rudy’s has held back 50% of its tables at both the Peter Street and Ancoats restaurants for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
SEVEN BRO7HERS
Middlewood Locks & Ancoats
SEVEN BRO7HERS in both Middlewood Locks and Ancoats are reopening for walk-ins from this week, with tables available daily, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Siop Shop
Northern Quarter
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Serving up coffee, doughnuts and more, Siop Shop has made the decision to offer a collection of outdoor tables for walk-ins only on a first-come-first-served basis from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Shambles Square
The Old Wellington & Sinclair’s Oyster Bar
Two of Manchester city centre’s most historic and popular pubs, both the outdoor seating areas at The Old Wellington and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar are reopening for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Shack Bar & Grill
Northern Quarter
The Shack Bar & Grill has a brand new outdoor seating area at its High Street site, and is keeping tables free for walk-ins every weekend, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Tampopo
Corn Exchange & Albert Square
Tampopo has opened up new outdoor seating areas at both the Corn Exchange and Albert Square sites, with tables free for walk-in throughout the week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Trove
Ancoats
Popular Ancoats cafe Trove has also opened up a new outdoor seating area and will be accepting walk-ins throughout the week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
The Wharf
Castlefield
Another one of Castlefield’s most popular pubs with a large outdoor seating area, The Wharf has made the decision to reopen for walk-ins from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Wolf At The Door
Northern Quarter
Beloved Northern Quarter bar and restaurant Wolf At The Door has confirmed it will be opening for walk-ins only from this week, and you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
Yard & Coop
Northern Quarter
Alongside bookings, popular chicken restaurant Yard & Coop has held back 50% of tables at its Northern Quarter site for walk-ins from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information on the website here.
YES
Charles Street
YES Manchester has made the decision to hold all tables back and reopen for walk-ins only from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
20 Stories
Spinningfields
20 Stories has been taking bookings ahead of reopening, but has also made the decision to hold tables back for walk-in services at its cocktail terrace from this week, so you can find menus, opening times and more information via the website here.
Food & Drink
The Salford deli with the best name in Manchester has a new home — and it’s even more of a hidden gem than ever
Danny Jones
If you’ve ever ventured down Chapel Street in Salford or sat with a pint in Bexley Square, you’ll probably have noticed the shop, cafe and deli space that once sat on the corner.
More accurately, if you know the spot, you’ll likely have chuckled to yourself when looking up at the sign and reading the name above the front door: Deli Lama. Still makes us smirk to this day.
The best-named Wholefoods Shop and Cafe sat as a literal cornerstone of the Salford community for over a decade and was a real favourite amongst locals but has since moved premises, and whilst it is more out of the way than it used to be, it has only reaffirmed Deli Lama’s hidden gem status even more.
Now located in the old Islington Mill just across the road — which currently serves not only as a residential space but as a key cultural hub for creatives and artisans — it’s arguably situated even deeper in the heart and soul of old Salford than ever. You’ve just got to know where to find them.
And that’s where we come in. After initially heading out on a weekend and wanting to enjoy a brew and a bite to eat, we decided to go on the hunt for their new venue and ventured down James Street to stumble across the mill itself.
An unassuming space, to say the least, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s still out of use at first glance, but once you spot the boards pointing you in the right direction of Deli Lama and the other names who have popped up in here, it does feel like you’ve stumbled across the best-kept secret in town.
Walking down the tunnel past the notice boards and the other indoor studios, you emerge out into the quiet little courtyard to find the deli’s new location, with fairy lights in the window and the old still just propped up against the wall as they’ve had little time for finessing — they’re just cracking on.
Although the space might be a little rough and ready in parts, what it achieves is that genuine rustic feeling that so many other trendy new openings attempt to contrive, whilst also carrying over a sense of familiarity from the former venue.
In the spacious new spot, you’ll find the same cupboard and pantry staples from rice, pasta and pulses to organic fruit and veg, bakery items, preserves, condiments and so on that you would find in the old shop, only now there’s room for more of anything.
There are also shelves of organic tea and coffee, fridges full of chilled drinks, soups and freshly prepared ciabattas, as well as literally the best vegan cookie we’ve ever had. They even make their own seitan.
Looking at the menu itself, as well as a regular rotation of specials, they do vegetarian brekkies that will knock your socks off like the Caribbean scramble, as well as plant-based breakfast burrito that we devoured within seconds alongside a big healthy portion of their chilli bean soup.
Topped with jalapenos, herbs and a lovely dollop of guacamole which thickens up the texture the more you swirl it in, just like when you used to dip your buttery bread into the bowl at home, it was divine and we could have had ladles of the stuff if it wasn’t for all the other customers ordering a portion as well.
Banging vegan sausages.The deli counter.Unreal.Not just the best-named deli in Manchester but some of the best food you’ll find in Salford too.
Speaking of the crowd, you can tell this is a real haven for artisans and the other residents. The mill has stood there for 200 years and as it now boasts apartments upstairs, virtually everyone living and working here has become a regular, with people from all ages and walks of life.
As well as being a quaint little creative corner, Islington Mill is also important in the LGBTQ+ community, with the Islington Mill is Queer audio series recorded here, not to mention serving as a key part of the council’s ‘The Other City’ fund and artist-led community project bigging up Salford as its own entity.
As for Deli Lama themselves, they’re a team of just three led by founders, owners and local couple, Linda and Lincoln, who opened up the original shop 12 years ago but have been set up here since November, insisting they are “much happier at home here” and now starting to regain their rhythm.
Together for two decades themselves, you can tell this isn’t just their livelihood, it’s a passion they’ve bonded over and a way of continuing to contribute to the area that clearly still means so much to them.
It already feels so vibrant and welcoming.Walls full of produce.Credit: The Manc Eats
What this small but incredibly dedicated team manages to do, beyond just delivering high-quality produce, is make every person who steps in the door feel like their best mate and part of the family. We’re not exaggerating when we say they knew everyone’s name in the two hours we spent there.
Even from the cosy little snug where you can sit on an armchair in the window next to some plants and a little poster wall promoting upcoming community events, to the little kitchen just behind the counter, you do get that feeling of being in someone’s home even with the big window and skylight above.
There’s plenty of bustle next door and across the courtyard from the pottery place, needlework studio and tufters also based within Islington Mill, but somehow this place manages to help block out all the business of town just down the road and even outside is relatively tranquil.
We were only supposed to come in for a coffee but we ended up feeling so relaxed we didn’t want to leave and ended up eating twice, buying a takeaway butty and some stuff from the fridge just because we fancied it.
Could spend hours chilling here.Salford coffee to boot.Get the lemonade, trust us.
More importantly, the wholefoods, zero-waste and almost entirely vegan approach means that Deli Lama is one of the most sustainable, sourcing directly from local co-operative Organic North and even eyeing plans to set up their own in the future.
They also cater events and private functions, including a substantial corporate do or two when they can, and might also be making their groceries and food menu available on Deliveroo later this year.
It’s also crucially one of the most reasonably priced cafes and stores of its kind you’ll find anywhere so close to the city limits which, in a cost of living crisis, should never be overlooked or left unapplauded.
Please give the wonderful team at Deli Lama Wholefoods Shop and Cafe in Salford a go — you will not regret going for the short wander to find them and we promise, you’ll fall in love with it just like we did.
The very best Irish pubs in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
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, 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, 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?
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.
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
Credit: The Manc
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, let alone in the city centre. 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
Credit: The Manc
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.
Honourable mentions
Last but not least, while they may not have made our top five, we couldn’t do an article on the best Irish pubs in Manchester city centre without giving a nod to some other strong contenders.
The likes of Bar Eight over in Castlefield might genuinely be our go-to beer garden spot these days when the summer rolls around given how big the patio is, not to mention the takeaway pizza and the mobile cocktail bar, we can’t not big it up.
A similarly well-deserved shout-out goes to the likes of The Corner Boy over in NQ, still one of the best venues for a boogie in town; ditto too for The Freemount which will always be a great spot for a few drinks and live music — that’s if you can survive the usual queue, of course.
And if you disagree with any of our picks or feel any other Irish pubs and bars have been missed off the list, then please feel free to argue your case in the comments. These lists often change and we’re more than happy to go and do more ‘research’ if it involves going for a bev and drinking in the culture.