Despite being over 200 years old, Northern Quarter drinking den the Castle Hotel still retains some of its original features, alongside a bar with ten cask handpulls and arguably the best jukebox in Manchester. Host to regular gigs and live literature nights, this place is a good pick for entertainment as well as a quiet pint.

Ideal for the true beer aficionado, the wide-windowed Port Street has an unrivalled selection of speciality ales – from seven handpulls, eighteen draft lines and over a hundred bottled beers – to be enjoyed in its ground floor bar, upstairs lounge or small beer garden space at the back.

Close to The Bridgewater Hall, the Briton’s Protection is the king of the city’s classic pub brigade, and Manchester’s oldest watering hole, with a historic interior, collection of over 300 whiskies and large beer garden. It is said that regulars were once at the mercy of recruiters for the Napoleonic Wars – now though, the only challenge facing visitors here is trying to find a seat.

If you fancy moving out of town, jump on the Metrolink and head to Chorlton. While the residents are often lampooned as the “liberal urban elite”, you cannot argue with the choice of watering holes on offer. You could enjoy cocktails in the sun at Proof, sample Pi‘s very own PiPA, mingle with the parents and kids at The Font or keep it more traditional at The Horse & Jockey. You’ll find us at The Beech, slowly moving across the beer garden, avoiding the long shadows and chasing the late evening sun.

This Northern Quarter pub is a hot spot for live gigs and music, with two performance spaces to play with. Gullivers is friendly and none too expensive, with booths opposite the bar and a quieter back room for some more contemplative conversation. It’s run by the same people as The Castle Hotel just over the road.

The Pilcrow is now Sadler’s Cat, a contemporary community pub at the heart of the NOMA neighbourhood. Overlooking Sadler’s Yard, it boasts one of the best beer gardens in the city, providing a calm, welcoming space where you can kick back and relax while enjoying a selection of top-class beer from Cloudwater and friends, outstanding natural wine, perfectly-balanced mixed drinks and non-alcoholic serves.

A little off the beaten track, this pub serves up both the Marble Brewery’s award-winning beers and a stellar food menu. The décor is unusual, too, with a sloping floor (for reasons still disputed), glazed ceiling and ceramic tiles embossed with the names of spirits all adding to the idiosyncrasy. A winner.