There are so many watering holes in the city just waiting to be discovered.
Tucked down backstreets, hidden in basements and lying waiting in the city’s most iconic buildings, Manchester is home to tons of bars – so many that only the thirstiest of drinkers have covered them all. Rather than returning to the same old haunt, why not hunt out one of these hidden gems next time you fancy a tipple?
Schofield’s
Credit: Sean Ware at Distinctly Aware
Gracing the corner of Manchester’s iconic Sunlight House, Schofield’s Bar isn’t outshined by its impressive location – but easily matches it with an art deco inspired interior, sultry low lighting and impeccable service all round.
Cocktails here are first class, especially the Bloody Mary which deserves the title of best in Manchester. There’s also an impressive variety of spirits including gin and whiskies, and aperitifs to cleanse your drinking palette.
While the unique location of Schofield’s will give you a few things to chat about, you can also escape into one of the books from the bar’s own library – including a companion cocktail inspired by the authors themselves.
Where? Schofield’s Bar, 3 Little Quay Street, Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3JZ.
When? Open from 12pm to 1:30am between Tuesday and Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
How much? £££
The Peer Hat
Credit: Matthew Boycott
Drink with personalities from all walks of life at The Peer Hat, the backstreet watering hole and grassroots performance venue that gives a whole new meaning to alternative.
Guzzle down a well-poured Guinness or a solid guest ale surrounded by eclectic decor including pagan motifs, vintage music posters and illuminati eyes. The drawn curtains of this bar go one step further to makes it feel like a whole new world.
While you can head to The Peer Hat for a quick drink, it’s an iconic venue in the Manchester underground scene, so be sure to check out the packed lineup of events – some of which are free to attend.
Where? The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday Street, Manchester, M1 1BE.
When? Open from 4pm to 12am between Monday and Wednesday, from 4pm to 3am on Thursdays and Fridays, from 1pm to 3am on Saturdays and from 4pm to 12am on Sundays.
How much? £
Gas Lamp
© Copyright Manchester-List 2024
With an extensive beer list and gin offering that rivals Manchester’s own distilleries, Gas Lamp is the best drinking spot if you’re looking for somewhere full of character – but by no means pretentious.
This underground pub gets lost among the many bars on Bridge Street, but the separate little ante rooms make it perfect for an easy drink with a small group of friends. Just beware – the tiled interior means noise travels easily!
The bar staff at Gas Lamp are really knowledgeable and can guide you to your new favourite drink – whether it’s sampling the fantastic range of keg and cask bitters, or recommending a whisky to warm you up from the rain.
Where? Gas Lamp, 50A Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BW.
When? Open from 4pm to 12am on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 12pm to 12am on Wednesdays, from 12pm to 1am on Thursdays, from 12pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, then from 12pm to 10pm Sundays.
How much? £
The Daisy
© Copyright Manchester-List 2025
The Northern Quarter’s best kept drinking secret, The Daisy is a Parisian-style drinking den artfully hidden under Evelyn’s on Tib Street. Think cosy and inviting living room, with a splash of sophistication you could only aspire to.
With flickering candles on every table, velvet sofas you can sink into and unique artwork adorning the walls, everything here has been chosen for a reason. Even the cocktail menu has been refined to a T.
Order one of the Daisy signatures, crafted by their expert mixologists, or try one of their freezer pours served at minus 18 degrees and garnished table-side. A perfect accompaniment to the LoFi mixes from the DJ decks.
Where? The Daisy, 44 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1NB.
When? Open from 5pm to late on Thursdays, from 4pm to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and from 12pm to 9pm on Sundays.
How much? ££
Junior Jacksons
Despite being Bunny Jacksons’ rowdy little brother, Junior Jacksons is definitely not in its sibling’s shadow. Hidden in the basement under Lost Cat, this is the kind of place where time doesn’t exist – until suddenly it’s way past your bedtime.
Like all good dive bars, Junior’s lets you neck American beers, hooches and hard seltzers surrounded by walls of paraphernalia. Even the toilet is an assault on the senses with the chance to write your name on the walls.
Nights out here are always memorable, especially with bar staff that love doing shots with you and BOGOF happy hour deals every day from 3pm to 8pm – great (if perhaps not the wisest) spot for a drink after work.
Where? Junior Jacksons, 64 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE.
When? Open from 5pm to 3am Sunday to Thursday, then from 3pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
How much? £
Temple
Spend a penny or two at The Temple, a Victorian-era public toilet that’s been transformed into an underground dive bar – if you’ve ever spotted those old fashioned railings just off Oxford Road, that’s where you’ll find it.
While this space has been disinfected, designed and decorated with the dim red lighting and leather booth seating of a dive bar, you can still spot nods to its past, particularly the vintage profanities of the (working) toilet graffiti!
Swig from a range of bottled and draught continental beers at reasonable prices, getting cosy with the kegs that have become part of the furniture in this little drinking hole. It’s also home to one of the best jukeboxes in the city.
Where? The Temple, Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5JW.
When? Open from 3pm to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and from 3pm to 12am between Sunday and Thursday.
How much? £
Corbières
Tucked away on a backstreet off St Ann’s Square, Corbières is synonymous not just with having one of the most treasured jukeboxes in Manchester but also with its signature free pizza – yours when you spend £5 from Tuesday to Friday.
The arched, cave-like ceiling of this subterranean bar gives it the vibe of a hidden drinking den – the perfect spot for getting your lips around a range of flavoured gins, local ales and house cocktails.
Between rounds, head up to the jukebox and browse through the tunes, as well as esteemed staff mixes. If this feels like too much pressure, let the artists pick themselves with monthly live music on the second and fourth Tuesday.
Where? Corbières Bar, 2 Half Moon Street, Manchester, M2 7PB.
When? Open from 4pm to 11pm between Tuesday and Thursday, from 4pm to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays, then from 4pm to 10:30pm on Sundays. Closed on Monday.
How much? ££ (free pizza when you spend £5 on Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to 8pm.)
