Manchester is packed to bursting with brilliant bars, but where is a beer drinker supposed to head on a night out, you ask.
If the many glamorous cocktail bars, the intimate candlelit wine bars, and the all-singing all-dancing ponstar-martinis-served-in-a-tree bars aren’t doing it for you, we have a few suggestions.
These are the venues in Manchester where you can order a pint but still get a little dressed up.
Most of them are operated by local craft breweries, others showcase the best the world has to offer.
Here are Manchester’s best beer bars.
Beatnikz Republic Bar NQ
Image: Beatnikz NQ
Right in the heart of the Northern Quarter is a rainbow-hued bar that’s operated by local craft brewery Beatnikz Republic.
The bar is just a stone’s throw away from the Green Quarter brewery itself, and serves some seriously fresh pints.
There are 14 keg lines and four cask lines – about half of those are serving Beatnkiz Republic beers, while the other half champion a rotation of guest beers.
You’ll find it right beside the Idle Hands cafe on Dale Street.
Northern Monk Refectory
Image: Northern Monk Refectory
When Kosmonaut announced its closure, the hears of Mancunians everywhere shattered a little bit.
But the legendary venue on Tariff Street didn’t stay empty for long, and it was a much-loved brewery from across the Pennines who swooped in to save it.
Leeds-based Northern Monk is spread across three rooms, including its intimate Cellar Bar downstairs, and has 18 keg lines.
You’ll find the brewery’s own beers – like it’s ever-popular session beer Eternal IPA – plus lots of guest beers on tap and in bottles.
Formerly known as The Pilcrow, this shed-like pub on Sadler’s Yard is now in the very trustworthy hands of Cloudwater Brewery.
The space itself was built by local people through a series of workshops, with members of the public creating everything from the tabletops to the lampshades.
The neighbourhood boozer has one of the biggest beer gardens in the city centre where you can sip on just about anything that takes your fancy.
There is, of course, Cloudwater beers, but also plenty of others to choose from, a menu of natural wines, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.
The Gas Lamp
This is a real Manchester gem, often overshadowed by the glossy chaos of Spinningfields and Boujee that it neighbours.
The Gas Lamp has been pouring pints in its subterranean venue since 2010, many of which come from its sister brewery Pomona Island.
The bar itself is filled with the kind of character that money can’t buy, with two rooms covered in white ceramic tiles and ancient wooden floors.
You’ll also find a mind-boggling collection of whiskeys.
Port Street Beer House
Image: Port Street Beer house
Owned by the same team behind Common, Nell’s and The Beagle, this is one of those local drinking spots that’s part of Manchester’s very fabric.
Port Street Beer House serves a great range of craft beer and real ales from its 18 keg lines and seven cask lines.
There are also masses of bottles and cans to drink inside the bar or carry away with you.
In the summer, the long benches outside are absolutely packed with punters soaking in the views of… erm… well the views aren’t great, but there is sunshine.
Cafe Beermoth
Image: Cafe Beermoth
This bar is at complete odds with its location – the sight of its cosy, calm interior at great odds to the madness of Market Street it sits behind.
Like an oasis in the dessert, Cafe Beermoth provides serious salvation when you need it most.
The Belgian-style beer cafe champions drinks from across the UK as well as further afield into Europe and America, though it has a strong bond with Manchester’s own Runaway Brewery.
It’s one of those places you can visit solo or with a massive group and still be welcomed with the same open arms.
Fierce Bar
Image: Fierce Bar
Fierce is, relatively speaking, a newcomer to the city, taking over the spot left empty when Marble moved out of Thomas Street.
It’s run by the brewery of the same name and opened in the two-storey venue (plus some sizeable outside space) in between lockdowns in 2020.
Behind the bar you’ll find 15 taps with a core range of Fierce beers plus plenty of smaller batch brews.
The indecisive can also order an expertly-chosen beer flight to really get a taste for the offering without, y’know, blindly drinking half a dozen different pints.
Piccadilly Tap
Image: Piccadilly Tap
The Piccadilly Tap is so great, it almost completely eradicates the pain of having your trains cancelled.
Tucked away right beside Manchester Piccadilly (a similar bar is opening at Victoria at some point too), there are 16 kegs and six casks of reasonably-priced beers.
The bar itself has huge windows for people-watching, including an outdoor terrace upstairs.
You can grab a Bravissimi pizza while you’re sat here too.
Cask
Image: Cask
As the name suggests, Cask is something of a specialist when it comes to beer.
It has two sites in Manchester now – one is a huge waterside beauty in Ancoats, the other is a cosy hideaway on Liverpool Road where you’re allowed to bring your chippy tea inside from next door.
Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed a good pint or bottle, with the continental-style bar selling beers from across the globe.
Feature image – Port Street Beer House
News
The incredible plans to build floating walkways over Manchester’s waterways
Daisy Jackson
A major project that will deliver a 100-mile-plus network connecting Manchester’s parks, squares and waterways has been unveiled – and it includes impressive floating walkways.
The first steps for the CyanLines mega project have been unveiled today, including the first four routes which will link the likes of Mayfield Park, New Islington Marina, Castlefield Viaduct and Kampus.
The ambitious plans will also link lesser-known pocket parks, canal tow paths, and pedestrianised walkways, and will incorporate new planned outdoor spaces such as the Science Museum courtyard and the former Central Retail Park.
One particularly eye-catching proposal will be a new floating walkway across the middle of the River Irwell, complete with a canoe dock and storage area.
The plans will adapt to Manchester’s ever-expanding cityscape and will link up new and existing developments, providing green walking and cycling routes around town.
Manchester and Salford City Councils have already worked together and secured funding from the National Trust, Natural England, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Nature Towns and Cities programme.
There are four CyanLines pilot routes – the first being a 5km ‘Irk Valley Explorer’ that will link Chethams Library and the Glade of Light memorial, Angel Meadows, the under-development City River Park, and the Barney’s Steps made famous by LS Lowry, ending with a view of the city skyline.
Then there’s the Mayfield, New Islington and Ancoats Loop, which will connect together Mayfield Park, the Ashton Canal, the Central Retail Park which is being transformed into a campus for the UK Government, New Islington Marina, Ancoats Green, and all the way down to leafy Kampus.
How the River Irwell could look with the CyanLines routes in placeHow the River Irwell looks currently
CL3, otherwise known as the ‘Walking the knowledge corridor’, incorporates significant landmarks like the Emmeline Pankhurst statue, our historic canal network, the Palace Theatre, Symphony Gardens, the universities, Manchester Museum, and Whitworth Art Gallery.
And the final of the four pilot routes is the CL4, focused around the almighty Castlefield Viaduct but also joining the Bridgewater Canal into Salford and the Irwell River Park, as well as the gardens around Chapel Street, Greengate Park, and the River Irwell itself.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is on a mission to make our city greener, investing in new parks and green spaces including the likes of Mayfield, Ancoats Green and the Castlefield Viaduct, in addition to our work to celebrate and open up our rivers and canals. We are a city with exciting, and transformational plans for the future. .
“But there’s more that we can do together. CyanLines is a bold new initiative over the next decade to imagine and create over 100 miles of connected parks, green spaces and waterfronts.
“This is just the start of CyanLines and I urge residents, business owners, community groups and leaders to join us on this very exciting journey to truly transform our city.”
Tom Bloxham MBE CBE, CyanLines project co-founder and chair, Urban Splash and founding Chair Manchester International Festival (MIF) and Factory International said that the same ambition that grew MIF will be applied to CyanLines.
More before-and-after images of the CyanLines pilot plans
He said: “We want to bring the whole city along with us, to help us plan, fund and deliver CyanLines. No idea is too big, too ambitious, too audacious or too small or too straightforward.
“Everyone wants more green space. Everyone wants to be able to walk to the end of Castlefield Viaduct. Everyone wants to be healthier and happier.
“Imagine more species and drifts of plants and wildflowers and allotments in the city centre and being able to walk one or 100 miles of continuous paths linking all our amazing spaces. Together we can make it happen!”
Pete Swift, CyanLines project co-founder and CEO of Planit said: “The first four CyanLines provide so much more than walkable and wheelable connections linking the existing and planned excellent green and blue spaces across the city, to bring us all closer to nature and nature closer to us.
“The routes will be the starting point, or spring board, for a whole plethora of CyanLines projects which will bring new opportunities for nature to thrive and to be enjoyed.
“The ambition for CyanLines does not stop at Manchester and Salford city centres. It will ultimately link up all Greater Manchester’s boroughs to bring our citizens and communities closer to nature and help drive a greener, healthier, and inclusive future. From Dunham Massey in the south, to Northern Roots in Oldham; from Leigh via RHS Bridgewater, Media City on to the foot of the Pennines.”
Mike Innerdale, regional director North of England, National Trust said: “National Trust are firm supporters of CyanLines, not least because its core aim mirrors our own of ensuring more people have access to nature particularly in our towns and cities, and to bring nature to people’s doorsteps wherever they live.
“We recently announced we have secured the majority of the £3 million of funding for the Castlefield Viaduct which will allow us to bring Phase 2 of this iconic sky park project to life, enabling us to create a through route at the heart of the city. We look forward to working with the CyanLines team and other partners as both our projects advance, connecting Castlefield viaduct with the other wonderful spaces in Manchester and Salford city centres.”
Harry Kane tears up as he honours England’s first Muslim player
Danny Jones
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane teared up as he honoured Djed Spence with an emotional speech on his England debut, becoming the first Muslim player ever to represent the senior national team.
Another historic night for sport in this country.
In case you didn’t tune in, the result against Serbia was a thrilling 5-0 victory, which saw Thomas Tuchel’s side maintain their unbeaten run, with a five-star performance serving as the perfect way to mark five wins from as many fixtures.
But, again, the headline story of the night was Djed Spence celebrating his faith in the best way possible – not to mention England captain Harry Kane paying sincere tribute to the history-making 25-year-old:
Pretty much everything you see of Harry Kane points towards him being a genuinely sound bloke. He could have just passed that cap over to Djed Spence with empty platitudes but you can tell he really cares.
As you can see, sharing some heartfelt and inspirational words as a former Lilywhite himself, ‘King’ Kane – who was first given the armband back in 2018 ahead of the Euros – spoke highly of the Tottenham Hotspur star following his inaugural national team cap.
Confessing that he himself felt emotional speaking on behalf of Spence, the 32-year-old striker recalled first seeing the wing-back arrive at Spurs just a few short years ago before his eventual departure for Bayern Munich in 2023.
He also shared, “I know what it takes to get here”, and saw what it took on his end to make those same steps forward in his career and ultimately break into the England squad, adding, “credit to you and your family – you deserve this, mate.”
As for the former Nottingham Forest defender himself, writing on social media, Spence said: “Today is arguably the greatest and proudest day of my life. Honoured to make my England debut.
“A day I’ve dreamt of all my life and now has become a reality. GOD IS THE GREATEST! #GODSPEED“
While there have been many individuals from the Islamic faith throughout the footballing pyramid and, indeed, the FA‘s national team youth ranks over the years, Djed Spence becoming the first senior capped Muslim player in our country’s history is nothing short of an incredible milestone.
Speaking to the media after the game, which also saw Harry Kane surpass Sir Bobby Moore as England’s fifth-most capped player of all-time (now on 109), the London-born athlete admitted: “I was surprised because I didn’t know I was the first, so it’s a blessing.
“It’s good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing.”
Here’s hoping he can fly the flag for British Muslims throughout domestic football and help generate further impact on the sporting world beyond that.
Daisy Jackson -
11th March 2022 
