The new year is here, and the ’12 days of Christmas’ are up… which means it’s time for a fresh start.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve both feel like things of the past now, and for most of us, this is our first proper week back at work too, which means (if you haven’t already) it’s time to tackle the task of taking down and putting away all the festive decorations – even if it is one of the dullest times of the year and it signals that the magic of Christmas is over.
For those of us that opt for a real Christmas tree though, the end of the year always brings one question – now what do we do with it?
Manchester City Council has aimed to answer that very question by providing residents with a handful of different ways to recycle their Christmas trees to make sure they’re put to good use and don’t go to waste or get dumped.
Here’s the different options.
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Recycle it in your food and garden waste bin
You can recycle your Christmas tree by cutting it up and placing it in your food and garden waste bin, but you’ll need to make sure you take the following steps before doing so.
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Remove all decorations and fairy lights
Take off the base or wooden block if your tree has one
Make sure the trunk is not thicker than your wrist. Wood thicker than your wrist is too big and can’t be put in the garden and food bin. Large trunks and wooden bases can be taken to a recycling centre.
Donate it to charity
Did you know you can donate your Christmas trees to charity? That’s right – for residents living in Manchester, all you’ll need to do is register your tree with national charity JustHelping, along with a donation towards the collection, and you can help a local hospice or charitable cause in the city-region.
The money raised will go to good causes in the area, including Moya Cole Hospice (previously St Anne’s Hospice), Francis House, and We Love Manchester.
You can find more information and register your tree here.
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It’s time to take down and recycle our Christmas trees for another year / Credit: Myriam Olmz | Tanbir Mahmud (via Unsplash)
Take it to a local drop-off point
You can drop your real tree throughout January at:
Angel Meadow Park (entrance Old Mount Street) – M4 4HA
Wythenshawe Park and Gardens Athletics Track – M23 0PH
Heaton Park (Middleton Road entrance) – M8 4NB
Boggart Hole Clough (near the Visitor Centre) – M9 7DH
Patchett Street, off Hyde Road in Ardwick – M12 4RY
Bring it to your local recycling centres
And finally, wherever you live in Manchester, you can take your real Christmas tree – and even your artificial tree that is beyond reuse – to your local recycling centre for free of charge, but it’s worth noting that if you’re planning on using a van, pick-up truck, or a twin-axle trailer to dispose of your tree, then you’ll probably need to apply for a permit.
You can find information about your nearest recycling centre here.
Are you elsewhere in Greater Manchester? Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) has teamed up with local councils and charities across the region to provide Greater Manchester residents in all 10 boroughs with several different options for either recycling or donate their old Christmas trees.
Featured Image – Jelleke Vanooteghem (via Unsplash)
Christmas
The biggest New Year’s Eve parties taking place in Manchester city centre for 2025
Danny Jones
Yes, New Year’s Eve 2025 is nearly upon us, and it still surprises us how many people haven’t sorted proper NYE plans right up until the last second, so we thought we’d round up some of the biggest parties happening in Manchester city centre on 31 December.
From simple pubs and bars pouring away, to those offering live music, entertainment and other packages, there’s something to suit everyone.
That’s it – we don’t need a big, long intro to explain what’s going on here; just dive in, see what might suit you, and party like it’s your last night on Earth.
The biggest and best NYE parties happening in Manchester | 2025
1. Mulligans – Deansgate
Where else to start than with the biggest, booziest Irish bar in town? Yes, just like any old night out, Mulligans of Manchester is going big and won’t be going home until well into the early hours, as their New Year’s Eve party is set to be one of the best in town.
There’s no booking ahead, it’s just a case of paying £20 on the door for admission, which also comes with a drink token that you can exchange at the bar. Simple as – slàinte!
Credit: The Manc Group
2. Albert’s Schloss – Peter Street
Where do you go before and/or after Mully’s? Plenty of people will say Albert’s Schloss no matter what the occasion or even night of the week, and they’re going full Y2K-themed this time around.
Ringing in the New Year just like the world did back in 1999, expect 90s fashion, tunes, free-flowing food and drink throughout the day, as well as an unforgettable evening of live entertainment. Click HERE to grab the last few tickets.
One of Greater Manchester’s recent openings, Tangerine is located right under the Salford Central and just across from Spinningfields, and it also happens to be one of the coolest new canteens, martini and music hall.
Dubbing their very first NYE in the city, ‘The New Year’s Experiment’, the stylish orange-hued arthouse has live bands booked, as well as DJs and dancers until late. If you haven’t tried it out yet, now’s the perfect time to give it a go, so grab tickets while they last.
Now, for those of you wanting an equally classy affair with the promise of even more top-quality food, steak and seafood restaurant Cut and Craft in the city centre is bringing a party atmosphere along with stunning dishes in a stunning room, champagne and more.
With a performance by the legendary house vocalist, Julie McKnight of Diamond Life, plus support from Glitterbox DJ, Raven Mandella, not to mention showgirls, welcome glasses, bar tabs, and the option of a three-course menu to choose from, there are various tiers to enjoy. Book now whilst you still can.
Heading over Ancoats way to Detroit-style pizza, tater tots and spicy margarita specialists, Ramona and their late-night counterparts of Firehouse are hosting what they’re calling ‘The Velvet Hour’.
Expect the usual chaos, featuring drinks table options with welcome drinks and the Firehouse NYE feast, as well as regular standing admission if you just want to be in the room for the countdown and beyond. Grab your tickets HERE.
Another very welcome newcomer to the city is the stunning Italian paradise that is Circolo Popolare inside Gary Neville’s new St Michael’s tower on Jackson’s Row. To celebrate their first New Year here, Chef Alfredo is creating a towering GOLDEN version of their famous lemon meringue pie.
Available alongside a three-course ‘Italo’ feast filled with next-level DJs, live music, and plenty of shots throughout the night, you can find where to book as well as the full festive menu online, and get ready to be blown away. For starters, just look at the normal room alone…
Circolo Popolare HAS to be one of the most beautiful restaurants this city has ever seen. 😍🍋
Big Mama Group’s Manchester debut is an absolute stunner. 🤌
Diecast is delivering ‘NYE BANG’ to the Manc masses across all three big rooms, but there’s so much more on offer. We’re talking aerialists, circus stunts, vertical staging, lasers and light shows and even a 10-piece live band.
The debut of The Old Foundry dancefloor is the centre piece of the whole thing, though, and will serve as the perfect place to step into 2026. You can see all ticket options HERE.
Yet another recent addition to the city, House of Social food hall is going for a house party feel, complete with beer pong, pool, red plastic party cups and nothing but good vibes all around.
Best of all, this one is completely FREE entry, you just need to reserve your ticket online, and enjoy great food and drink from their five independent kitchens between 7pm and 1am on 1 January, 2026.
BAR MAYA is also delivering the house party festivities, including plenty of drinks, feel-good tunes and a buzzing crowd. Meanwhile, down in the dining room, their new supper club are serving four sensational courses alongside 90 minutes of limitless beer and bubbles for £100 per person.
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Besides DJs and a big dancefloor, ‘The Pump Room’ will serve as the late-night club space with a few more surprises in store, too. Enquire about bookings HERE.
Credit: The Manc
10. Electric Shuffle – Deansgate
Fancy something with a little more activity and some friendly competition to see you through the night? Well, there are plenty of places that do shuffleboard, but few quite as high-tech and well-rounded for a part as Electric Shuffle.
It’s a pretty boilerplate affair – not that we’re complaining: prosecco in hand, a few games and bar snacks to tide you over and, obviously, some DJs. You can put your name down for a table HERE.
Bar Lina – the low-lit, sister bar to Lina Stores – is hosting their own NYE takeover in collaboration with Manchester’s longest-running club night. They’ll be supplying the funk, disco, soul, R’n’B, hip-hop and everything in between from 9pm until 2am.
Tickets are £25 per person and include a glass of Prosecco on arrival, a Bar Lina signature cocktail, as well as another glass of fizz at midnight. We’ll cheers to that!
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Credit: The Manc
12. Nell’s – Media City
Now, if you fancy chasing your NYE cocktails with some big ol’ slice of New York-style pizza, then Nell’s new site over in Salford Quays is the place to be. The drink in question will be plenty of margs, naturally.
We’ve been to plenty of seasonal parties at their Kampus venue before, so we can vouch for their hosting skills, and you can secure entry to this one for just a fiver, or get 90 minutes of non-stop 22″ pizzas plus a welcome drink and some midnight fizz for only £40. Find all the timings and tickets HERE.
13. Thomas St NYE Takeover (4 venues) – Northern Quarter
This one is another we can personally vouch for after having done it one year, when other plans fell through, before making it a tradition for a few NYEs in a row. Taking place across four fantastic NQ favourites, you buy a wristband and get one drink in each of the venues.
Admittedly, a different lineup this time around – Bay Horse Tavern, Cane & Grain, The Social NQ and Crazy Pedro’s – you’re guaranteed to have a good time. Maybe see you there…
14. Bongo’s Bingo – Albert Hall
Now, THIS one is going to be carnage – but the good kind, of course. We don’t need to talk you through the Bongo’s Bingo format; it’s a British nightlife institution at this point, and if you’ve never given it a go before, their ‘Big Fat Bingo of the Year’ edition will be unforgettable.
Heading over to the ever-growing St John’s district next, The Trading Route on Good Yard’s Street are also getting involved with the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Being hosted by promoters Love Dose, they’ve confirmed former Hacienda DJ, Tom Wainwright, as the resident for the night. Running from 9pm until 2am, you can grab your tickets HERE.
16. Founder’s Hall – Albert Square
Last but not least, if you just fancy more classic pub vibes, J.W.Lees’ new central hub, Founder’s Hall, is also throwing a big New Year’s Eve bash which kicks off from 7pm.
Bookings are live now, and there’ll be DJs all night long and plenty of local ale, including ‘The Cream of Manchester’, Boddington. Say no more – see you there.
Oh, and if none of these tickle your fancy and/or you don’t want to spend too much money, you could always pop just outside or round the other side of Town Hall…
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.
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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.
Emily Sergeant -
7th January 2026 
