16 great outdoor bars and pubs in Manchester

It’s a far cry from the glass-fronted skyscrapers dominating Spinningfields elsewhere: the disarmingly rustic Oast House’s outdoor area has ample seating where you can sample one of their hanging kebabs or wide range of craft beer.

With its unique tiling, sloping floors and cosy atmosphere, the Marble Arch Inn is one of Manchester’s most beautiful pubs. But if you find the Victorian décor a bit overpowering for a warm day it also has an enclosed yard out the back with tables and chairs.

Blackjack is back this year with its excellent selection of beer and lip-smacking food provided by street food traders. From late April their beer garden will be open for alfresco bevvies, and because British spring and summertime is always delightfully unpredictable, their outdoor area is mercifully covered. 

Located on the banks of the Rochdale Canal, this waterside pub makes the most of its outdoor space. With a two-level patio and a grassy bank next to the canal, it’s a popular place for a post-work beer in the summer months.

Slightly further down the canal, it’s the outside area that really makes this Brunning and Price pub. It offers fantastic views of the city.

If you prefer to relax in the sun with a G&T rather than a beer, Atlas Bar is the ideal spot for you. Located within the old railway arches on Deansgate, its enclosed beer garden is the perfect place to sample one of its extensive range of gins.

It may not be the largest garden you can find but it's a beautifully secluded spot and a real haven in the heart of the city.

Located opposite Chorlton Green, this is a popular spot for a sunny day. The whole family, including dogs, are welcome, although be warned its prime location can mean it gets busy.

If you fancy somewhere a bit quieter in Chorlton, check out the beer garden at Dulcimer. It’s a small paved yard and is a bit of a sun trap – definitely worth a visit.

In the summer months, MediaCity’s pub throws open the doors of its sister space DockBar – a converted shipping container located on the grass outside the bar. Grab a deckchair or just a spot on the grass and make the most of the Salford sun.

A huge garden with room for 49 tables awaits you at the genial Woodstock Arms. It also has parasols should the weather turn.

Well known for hosting gigs and groups, this Salford gem owned by ex-Beautiful South and Housemartins singer Paul Heaton also has a cobbled beer garden for those sunny days.

Dating back to the seventeenth century, Church Inn is located on a quiet lane next to (unsurprisingly) a church. It has a good-sized outdoor space with plenty of seating.

Not a beer garden in the traditional sense, Trackside offers outdoor seating on the platform of the heritage railway at Bury Bolton Street station. It has a unique atmosphere, especially on the days it is visited by steam trains, and they’re currently in the process of adding a canopy so the outdoor area can be enjoyed when the weather is less than glorious.

Set within the heart of Rochdale’s conservation area, this quaint, value-for-money pub also has the benefit of an enclosed beer garden which is ideal for dining or drinking in the sunshine.

You can’t mention outdoor drinking spaces in Manchester without bringing up the two pubs at The Shambles. Moved from their original locations in the 1970s, The Old Wellington and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar share one of the largest beer gardens in the city. But, thanks to their central location and proximity to areas such as the Printworks, they get extremely busy at the first hint of warm weather. So look lively if you want an alfresco drink in this iconic setting.