From industrial estate gems to buzzing beer gardens, here are the very best craft beer bars and taprooms in Manchester.
Manchester’s craft beer scene is booming, with the city home to a stellar lineup of microbreweries, taprooms and bars pouring some of the freshest pints around. Whether you’re a hop head or a lager lover, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than soaking up the sun outside a taproom sipping on a freshly pulled pint and tucking into some top-tier street food.
Track
Credit: Track Brewing
Track’s Piccadilly taproom is a haven for fans of bold, juicy beers. Step inside and you’ll find a warm, stripped back setting, perfect for sunny afternoons and laidback evenings. Known for their hazy pales and vibrant artwork, you can expect a rotating lineup of Track’s freshest pours, alongside collabs and guest beers. Keep an eye out for kitchen takeovers, with some of Manchester’s tastiest spots taking the reins.
Where? Unit 18, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester, M1 2NP.
Find out more: instagram.com/trackbrewingcotaproom
Cloudwater
Credit: Cloudwater
One of the most iconic names in craft beer in Manchester, Cloudwater’s taproom is a sleek spot tucked away on Piccadilly Trading Estate. With over 20 taps, seasonal releases and collaborative specials, there’s always something new to try – and it’s the type of place where it pays to experiment. Their Sadler’s Cat venue is a community-minded gem, with plenty of outdoor space for those long summer nights.
Where? Cloudwater Taproom, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Unit 9, Gidding Road, Manchester, M1 2NP & Sadler’s Cat, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AB.
Find out more: instagram.com/cloudwatertaproom
Seven Bro7hers
Credit: SEVEN BRO7ERS
Family-run and full of heart, Salford’s Seven Bro7hers have created one of the most accessible craft beer experiences in the city. They’ve got several taprooms across Salford and Manchester, including a buzzing space in Ancoats’ Cutting Room Square. You’ll find plenty behind the taps, from their crisp Helles Lager to their award-winning Honeycomb Pale. Visit their 11 Central venue to enjoy scenic waterside views with your pint.
Where? Salford Enterprise Centre, 63 Daniel Adamson Road, Manchester, Salford, Waybridge, M50 1DS; 39 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 5AF; MediaCityUK, Orange, Salford, M50 2HE; Unit 27A – 28, Quayside, MediaCity, The Quays, Salford, M50 3A & Lockside Lane, Salford, M5 4YP.
Find out more: sevenbro7hers.com
Sureshot
Credit: Sureshot
One of the newer names in the Manchester craft beer scene, Sureshot’s taproom is nestled under a railway arch near Piccadilly Station. They’ve built a strong community since launching in 2022, and you’ll always find something going on. Visit midweek to snaffle £4 pints, or head down on a Friday to try out their fresh releases. They even show live sports on the telly, making them a great choice for the big tournament games.
Where? 4 Sheffield Street, Manchester, M1 2ND.
Find out more: instagram.com/sureshotbrew
Balance
Credit: Will Harris
Just a few doors down from Sureshot, you’ll find Balance – an indie brewery offering something a little different. Balance specialise in barrel-fermented wild and sour beers, made using fruit and foraged ingredients. Visit their taproom and you can see what they’re all about. With six draught lines rotating through their own collection and two guest lines offering pale ale and lager, there’s plenty to sip on.
Where? 10 Sheffield Street, Manchester M1 2ND.
Find out more: instagram.com/balancebrewing
Port Street Beer House
© Copyright Manchester-List 2026
A cornerstone of Manchester’s craft beer scene, Port Street Beer House has been pouring rare brews and indie gems for over a decade now. With rotating taps, knowledgeable staff and a hidden beer garden out the back, it’s a must-visit for any Mancunian beer lover. Whether you’re after a hazy IPA or a complex sour, this Northern Quarter hotspot brings in the best from UK and international breweries alike.
Where? 39-41 Port Street, Manchester, M1 2EQ.
Find out more: instagram.com/portstreetbeer
Northern Monk
Northern Monk’s Manchester Refectory is a staple in the Northern Quarter bar scene, and a go-to for craft ale fans. You’ll find all the big hitters like Faith and Heathen, while experimental new releases keep things interesting. There’s bench-style seating inside and out the front, while Cardinal Rule currently man the kitchen, serving their unholy brand of fried chicken on American biscuits – trust us, you have to try it.
Where? 10 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF.
Find out more: instagram.com/northernmonkrefectorymcr
The Taphouse
Credit: The Taphouse
A taproom where you pour your own pints? That’s right – Circle Square’s Taphouse is a do-it-yourself beer hall, where you can play bartender and pour your own pints, all night long. And boy, do they have a good selection. You’ll find 24 lines of beer at any one time, with a light shone on local breweries. They also have 24 types of wine to order by the glass, pool tables and mega 22-inch pizzas – you can order by the slice, too.
Where? 17 Symphony Park, Manchester, M1 7FS.
Find out more: instagram.com/thetaphousemanchester
Bundobust Brewery
Credit: Bundobust
Fancy a side of award-winning Indian street food with your pint? We know just the place. Bundobust’s Oxford Road venue has its own brewery, where they brew all sorts of lovely ales. With nine tanks of their own beer, 16 keg and two cask lines, there’s always something delicious to try – we recommend the Mango Lassi Pale, brewed in collaboration with Northern Monk. Pair it with a vada pav and some okra fries for the ultimate combo.
Where? 61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EQ.
Find out more: bundobust.com
Café Beermoth
Credit: Beermoth
Café Beermoth is a laidback cafe bar in the heart of the city centre, offering an inclusive space for anyone looking to broaden their hoppy horizons. There’s 10 keg lines, seven casks and an extensive bottle selection – just ask the knowledgeable staff if you need a hand. Throw in cheese plates, proper crisps and a chilled out Monday chess club, and you’ve got yourself a real craft beer haven.
Where? 40 Spring Gardens, Brown Street, M2 1DA.
Find out more: instagram.com/cafebeermoth
Society
Credit: Society
More than just a taproom, Society is a buzzing food hall with serious craft beer credentials. It’s the Manchester home of Hebden Bridge’s Vocation, so you can order a pint of Life & Death or Crush Hour at any time of day – but there’s more, much more, with over 40 taps in total. From DEIPAs to porters, it’s all here, and then some. Peckish? Order a street food feast, with pizza, tacos and gyozas all up for grabs.
Where? Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD.
Find out more: instagram.com/society.mcr
Cask
Sitting pretty on the New Islington Marina, Cask’s waterside setting makes it a popular choice when the sun’s out. Amble up, grab a seat and order a crispy pint – and there’s plenty to go at. Expect an eclectic mix of local ales, world beers and cult classics across 27 keg lines and six casks. They mix it up regularly to keep people coming back. Don’t be surprised if you stay past sunset – the views are well worth it.
Where? New Islington Marina, 2 New Union Street, Manchester, M4 6FQ.
Find out more: instagram.com/cask_ancoats
North Bar
The latest Leeds brewery to make the trip across the Pennines, you’ll find North Bar’s Manchester outpost at Circle Square. It’s a lively affair, with tables inside and out, 24 draught lines and pan-Asian street food from Koto – their salt & pepper chips are a must. As for the beer, there’s a fine selection of North’s much-loved brews plus a rotating lineup of guest pours and their famous Tequila Verditas. Cheers!
Where? 2 Symphony Square, Manchester M1 7FT.
Find out more: instagram.com/northbarcirclesquare
