Manchester is a very busy city, with a population density of 11,439 people per square mile and over 1000 bars and clubs for its residents. Sometimes you just feel like a quiet drink with friends, rather than a crowded and loud boozy atmosphere. That’s why we’ve compiled a short list of the best hidden gem bars that the city has to offer, where the atmosphere is usually friendly and quiet, and you can enjoy a good drink (or two) and a bite to eat at a reasonable price.
HOME
HOME is a centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film in Manchester that opened on 24 April 2015. HOME also has three great spaces for food and drink to suit your pace – on the Ground Floor Bar you can eat in or take away from a wide selection of delicious dishes including burgers, posh kebabs, pizzas, and salads and, when the sun is shining, the bar opens out into an outdoor seating area. In the First Floor Restaurant, you can enjoy a three-course pre-theatre dinner, lunch, or brunch in style and, if you’re heading to see a film, why not grab a drink at the Cinema Bar? HOME offers a range of alcoholic and soft drinks and cups of coffee and, if the weather is good, then you can make the most of the sunshine and sit out on the Roof Terrace.
2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester / M15 4FN / homemcr.org
Bunny Jackson’s
Bunny Jackson’s Juke Joint is a dive bar with live music and a great selection of American whiskies, cold beer, crazy sandwiches, and free arcade games. Inspired by New Orleans and the Deep South, this bourbon and blues bar has a rustic and unique feel to it in the heart of
Manchester, and they have some amazing deals on food – on Wednesdays, they sell hot wings for only 10p and, if you buy a drink after 9pm, you’ll be treated to a free hot dog! That sounds like a winner to us, and they usually have bands playing from 2pm until late. We’d definitely recommend checking out this bar for its distinctive style and atmosphere, or even if you’re just looking for a good bargain.
1 Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester / M15 4RA / bunnyjacksons.co.uk
The Pilcrow Pub
Self-described as “the pub that Manchester built”, the Pilcrow was envisioned and built almost entirely by volunteers with little to no craftsmanship skills. Situated in Sadler’s Yard (a new public square hidden away at the heart of the new NOMA neighbourhood), the wood-cabin bar only opened its doors to drinkers in September 2016 and now hosts the Summer Beer Thing event annually. Drinkers interested in checking out the bar can look forward to a rotating selection of seasonal Cloudwater beers, alongside a house brew made in a barrel assembled by volunteers at the White Rose Cooperage in Wetherby, West Yorkshire.
Hanover St, Manchester / M60 0AB / thepilcrowpub.com
Corbieres
Corbieres Wine Cavern in Manchester is the bar that was the centre of Manchester’s music scene before the Hacienda was even heard of, and has been a presence in the city for 30 years. Hidden on Half Moon Street, the bar is a home-from-home for music fans that seek its jukebox music and even hosted early performances from Inspiral Carpets’ previous incarnation, as well as The Happy Mondays and Oasis. Current owner Dave Redrobe said: “The introduction of the juke box saw it become a bit more of a drinking and music place. It’s famous for its juke box, which has mainly older stuff but some newer local bands too.” If you’re looking for a hidden gem bar that is seeped in Mancunian history, then Corbieres is the one for you.
2 Half Moon Street, Manchester / M2 7PB / Phone: 0161 834 3381
The Washhouse
Perhaps the most unusual bar on this list, the Washhouse in Manchester is self-described as a “brick walled cocktail bar offering a trendy environment for serious drinks”, which sounds normal enough. However, the bar’s interior is actually a launderette: a real establishment with coin-operated washing machines. Similar to speakeasies during Prohibition in the USA, the launderette façade fades as you make your way through and arrive at the bar in The Washhouse – a well refined, dark, leather cladded, table service speakeasy. The cocktails have good reviews and the experience that the Washhouse provides is certainly memorable and unique!
19 Shudehill, Manchester / M4 2AF / thewashhouse.co.uk
Words by Abby Hilton (@AbbyHilton_)
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