The Best Pubs in Manchester
From historic Victorian taverns to lively modern beer houses, Manchester's pub scene offers something for every kind of drinker.
Manchester likes a pint and quietly tucked away in every corner is a network of well-established and much-loved pubs. Ranging from historic Victorian alehouses and traditional locals to stylish gastropubs and modern craft beer venues. What’s more, the city's taps have taken to local brews, meaning you can usually find a beer brewed just a few miles from where you’re sipping. It doesn't get any better than that. So, if you're looking for a perfectly poured pint, a cosy atmosphere, live music, exceptional food, or just a good old natter over a local brew, Manchester offers a pub to suit every taste. Here’s our pick of some of the best pubs in Manchester, ones that make the city such a great place to enjoy a drink.
The King’s Arms
11 Bloom Street, Salford, Manchester M3 6AN
Known as Salford's most Bohemian Back Street Boozer, The Kings Arms is one of those gems in Salford that really captures the heart of a proper pub experience. From the moment you step in, you're greeted with an inviting atmosphere, packed with a brilliant array of beers and ciders, including their own craft ale. Then there’s the wonderful cosy interior with its snug spots and the outdoor garden is just spot on for whiling away an afternoon or evening.
But The Kings Arms is more than just a pub there’s the upstairs scene, with award-winning theatre, including local improv theatre, stand-up comedy and live music. They even have their own in house theatre company promoting locally created plays, and there are several studio spaces available for artists and musicians to work in.
They are also the proud home for local community groups, including, The Kings Knitter and Salford Friendly Anglers. A special mention must be made to Charlie the cat, a valued member of the Kings Arms team and one that will always give the best cat cuddles in Salford.
The Crown and Kettle
2 Oldham Road Ancoats, Manchester M4 5FE
Just on the cusp of the Northern Quarter, the Crown and Kettle is a Grade II-listed boozer and proud to be a proper pub for proper pints. According to CAMRA, the UK’s Campaign for Real Ale this place is listed as having an “outstanding conversion or restoration”, meaning a sympathetic 2005 overhaul following years of dereliction after a devastating fire, and subsequent 2020 update, have lost none of the place’s original 19th Century charm.
Gothic in style with huge traceried windows and ornate plasterwork on the interior ceiling are just a few of the standout features of this magnificent pub. The main bar is an impressive space framed by massive stone pillars that soar up to this elaborate ceiling – half of which still bears the charred scars of the 1989 fire and is unquestionably the venue’s highlight.
The Crown & Kettle also hosts kitchen take-overs with leading Manchester eateries, quiz nights, dog socials or “Mutts Meetup,” vintage markets, live music, beer festivals, and regular screenings of live sports. The Crown & Kettle has a lot going on, yet on nights when nothing special is scheduled, it’s still a great place to enjoy a good pint any day of the week.
The Rose and Monkey Hotel
The Rose & Monkey Hotel, Manchester M4 5JZ
The Rose and Monkey dates back to 1843 and sits on the doorstep of the Industrial Revolution, where the first steam powered mill was built by trailblazing industrialist Richard Arkwright. It’s had a chequered past. when early punters were the factory workers and a ropey cast of vagabonds, musicians, and thieves. It was also a thriving market pub due its proximity to Smithfield’s fruit and veg market (which has sadly been long knocked down).
Today the pub has been fully restored and its original features shine once more. Back came the real ales, and a completely vegan food and drink menu inspired by the old Smithfield Vegetable Market. The pub is now known for its Sunday pub quiz and its great choice of beers, making it popular with a younger crowd. There's also a beer garden, a real highlight, offering a spacious pklace to enjoy drinks in good weather. The Rose and Monkey offers an authentic slice of Manchester culture - music, mischief, and all.
Star and Garter
18 – 20 Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2QF
A legendary Fairfield Street landmark and one of Manchester's last truly independent music venues. Originally named The Star And Garter Tavern, the building first opened in 1803 and has gone on to become a cornerstone in Manchester’s music scene. It has seen performances from artists such as Status Quo, Bring Me The Horizon, Courteeners and many more.
The building itself is full of character with a full events schedule including the beloved monthly Smiths disco, which attracts Morrisey and Marr fanboys and girls from across the world.
The Grey Horse
80 Portland St, Manchester M1 4QX
Nestled on bustling Portland Street in Manchester, The Grey Horse Inn is a quaint, traditional pub famed for its intimate, single-room layout and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Renowned for serving a fine selection of Hydes Brewery cask ales alongside real ales from across the UK, it offers an authentic Manchester pub experience with a modern twist. There’s a wide selection of different cask ales to choose from so there’s bound to be something to whet your whistle.Be warned- it gets busy on match days!
Despite its compact size, the pub is a lively hub for locals and visitors seeking quality drinks at affordable prices in a friendly setting, includung 50p off a pint of any cask ale, Monday to Friday from 12pm - 5pm; a bottle of selected wine for only £15.50 available all day Monday to Thursday and enjoy a bottle of Prosecco for only £16.95, plus 85p off mini bottles of Prosecco, every Friday from 5pm!
Bakers Vaults
Market Place, Stockport SK1 1EU
Situated in its old town, Bakers Vaults is an integral part of Stockport's town centre, serving food daily alongside its beer shrine of 10 hand pulls, including Robinsons Brewery's award-winning ales; Unicorn and Dizzy Blonde. In the evenings, it dims the lights and is a great place for live music and entertainment. A former gin palace, Bakers Vaults is an integral part of the town centre and serves great food every day.
The Wharf
6 Slate Wharf, Castlefield Manchester M15 4ST
The Wharf is a large, well-known pub in the Castlefield area of Manchester city centre, overlooking the beautiful canal and with a large seating area – perfect for those long summer days. Downstairs in The Wharf is more pub service in style, with several cask ales on the bar, a decent wine list with something for everyone, and a whopping with forty plus gins and over fifty malts! Upstairs is more restaurant, with full table service. The chefs have developed great menus which change frequently to reflect the seasons.
Outside there is the The Moorings, an open-air cocktail bar nestled on the terrace, the ideal spot to catch golden hour and enjoy the best of the evening breeze. Open Wednesday to Sunday, The Moorings serves up a carefully curated mix of house-crafted signature cocktails and classic favourites, alongside a great selection of beer and premium spirits plus every Friday evening there is live music on offer, the perfect way to kick start the weekend.
Mulligans
12 Southgate, Manchester, M3 2RB
Mulligans isn’t just a pub. It’s a home for music, for Guinness lovers, and a living part of Manchester’s Irish story. Situated just off Deansgate, It is Manchester’s oldest Irish pub and is one of its most celebrated, with a rich history dating back over 170 years.
Mulligans offers an authentic Irish pub experience defined by warm hospitality, live music every night, and what many consider the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland. It’s a typical looking Irish pub, long dark wood bar, red booths, limited windows and sport playing on the telly, with live music is on most nights. In early 2024, the upstairs was transformed from a cozy function room and guesthouse into a stunning new second-floor venue. The result, two new bars, a mezzanine, and a dedicated live music stage. It doubled the pub’s capacity and opened the door to even more nights filled with music, laughter, and of course, world-class Guinness.
While Guinness may take centre stage, there’s plenty more behind the bar at Mulligans. From premium lagers to bold Irish whiskeys varying in flavour note, with a top shelf showing off the best Ireland has to offer. There's a wide selection of Gins varying in flavours, wines, prosecco, refreshing ciders and cocktails.
Whether you’re settling in for the night or just stopping by for one, there’s something for every kind of drinker at Mulligans and always a very warm Irish welcome.
Sam’s Chop House
Back Pool Fold / Chapel Walks, Manchester M2 1HN
Established in 1869 by local chef brothers Samuel & Thomas Studd, Sam’s Chop House stands proud as one of Manchester’s most famous and awarded bars and restaurants. Sam’s prides itself on serving the very best of British cuisine and a fine selection of local ales, cask beers, award-winning fine wines and spirits. Many famous faces have been regulars over the years, including celebrated local painter L.S. Lowry, who sits at the bar to this day, immortalised in a life-sized bronze statue
The pub has a special place in the heart of Manchester and many hundreds who have walked down the steps into it over the century and a half it has been open. Inside there are tiled walls, carved wooden bar and a flagstone bar floor using stone from the original Manchester Town Hall.
The Marble Arch
73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY
Tucked away in the Angel Meadow area, just a short walk from the city centre sits The Marble Arch, a multi-award-winning, grade 2 listed pub, that is the flagship venue and original home for the Marble Brewery.
At the foot of the infamously sloping mosaic floor and below the fabulous barrelled ceiling sits the bar, boasting nine hand pulls serving brewery-fresh cask beer, eight carefully selected keg lines and a range of carefully selected artisanal ciders. It reall is a place that captures the essence of a proper British pub while staying ahead of the game when it comes to its' food and drink. The menu is full of British classics such as steak and stout pie, homemade burgers, fish and chips as well as a changing range of small plates and the famous Sunday Roast - booking is strongly advised.
Beyond the beer and food, The Marble Arch is simply a beautiful place to spend time in. Whether it’s by the fire with a pint, enjoying a meal working or just soaking up the atmosphere of one of Manchester’s most characterful pubs, it’s the kind of spot that’s stood the test of time for good reason.