Stray opened in Mackie Mayor in late 2023 and immediately caused a stir. It’s not hard to see why – this is the kind of cocktail bar you can imagine stumbling across in prohibition-era Brooklyn, a well-kept secret, adored by a select few.

The Nest, the in-house bar at Fenix needs to be seen to be believed. It’s probably the most jaw-droppingly impressive looking bar in Manchester, and the drinks match up – and then some.

Manchester has seen a wealth of clued-in, stylish cocktail bars in recent years. Judging by the quality and attention to detail that goes into their drinks, Finders Keepers is up there with the best.

If you’re looking for a Cheers-style bar in the city centre, with likeable, chatty staff who know their onions, not to mention their fruits, herbs, spices and spirits, Blinker’s the one.

The Beeswing joined Kampus’s fine selection of independent traders in summer 2022, building a reputation as one of Manchester’s friendliest wine bars. They’ve started dishing out a small selection of tapas dishes too, but at heart this is one of the city centre’s most relaxed and clued-in bars. 

“Like having a drink in your mate’s kitchen” – that’s how it feels when you stop in for a drink at Reserve’s brand-new bar area at the back of the Didsbury outlet.

Sandbar, just off Oxford Road in Manchester, is a well-loved watering hole, with a great selection of ales and some eccentric seating. A popular venue with students and academics, see their WiFi password for proof.

After many years, Terrace is now firmly established as an OG star on the Edge Street block. With high-quality drinks, well-priced food and friendly, charming staff, this busy venue is our must-go-to bar after a day’s work.

Tucked away on the aptly named Edge Street in the Northern Quarter, Common is a favourite haunt of many in Manchester’s arts communities. The reason, essentially, is that everything they do is forward-thinking. From their top selection of beer to their rotating art exhibition to their array of poetry nights, musical performances and arts workshops, the bar do innovation well.

Drinking at the Alchemist is an exhilarating experience. The phrase ‘with a twist’ is often overused, but it’s impossible to describe its selection of cocktails without it. Equally, it’s a wonderful looking space, full of high ceilings and intricate lighting that portrays both artfully-prepared booze and guests in the best light.

Cloud 23 towers above the city in more ways than one. Just off Deansgate, with stunning views over the city, this is where to wine, dine and wow your date for the evening. The drinks menu is both forward-thinking, with a long list of snazzy cocktails, and quite simply, straight-up fun. Live out your inner Del Boy and ask for a cocktail umbrella.

With a staggering 44 wines by the glass, partly due to the regularly changing selection of bottles in its Enomatic wine preservation machines (or ‘wine jukeboxes,’ as they’re colloquially known), Salut is one of the best bars in the city for exploring new vintages. It has a lovely, wide-windowed feel and a small menu of tapas-style plates.

Northern Quarter stalwart Trof is still one of the top destinations, whether you’re looking for top-quality pub grub, a solid array of drinks or just a friendly place to hang out and drink coffee. A firm Creative Tourist team favourite, even after all these years (fifteen at the last count).