Nineteenth-century architect Alfred Waterhouse designed this grand hotel, bar and restaurant, and what a job he did. The iconic joint on Oxford Street has long been a landmark and made even more so by new owners and a million-pound facelift. The bar was put into the capable hands of DJs-turned-restaurateurs Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey. Expect similar fare to their award-winning restaurant Volta in Didsbury – think small plates, cocktails and an inspired wine list. And although the pair have since moved on, their influence is stamped throughout. A fairy-light-lit courtyard and fabulous DJs in the basement mean there’s no need to go on anywhere else.
Many of Manchester’s eclectic neighbourhoods have become exciting cultural hubs in their own right. The Northern Quarter is awash with beloved indie venues, Ancoats’s Cutting Room Square has been named one of the coolest places in the world and the Gay Village is the epitome of the city’s warm and welcoming vibe.
Wherever you find yourself at the end of a day of exploring and gorging on Manchester’s food offerings, there is a deluge of watering holes to choose from. From traditional pubs serving craft beer to elegant drinking dens and sticky-floored beer halls, there are plenty of places to enjoy a classy tipple or a booze-fuelled boogie.
A little further afield, areas including Chorlton and Prestwich offer venues to compete with the centre’s top spots. As in so many things, Manchester is a step ahead of the curve and that includes its thriving bar scene. Here are the very best bars in Manchester right now.
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