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So, you’re searching for the best cocktail bars in Northern Quarter, Manchester? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Manchester has, for a long time, been a trendy and lively place for a night on the town, but the Northern Quarter goes above and beyond in providing visitors with a good time.
There are a plethora of bars in the Northern Quarter and these 11 cocktail spots are some of our favourites.
Northern Quarter is perhaps the coolest district in Manchester. There’s an amalgamation of historic buildings, modern art, and lively cocktail bars.
Whether you are new to the area or just visiting Manchester as a tourist, heading out for cocktails in the Northern Quarter is always a good idea.
Science and Industry
- Address: 41 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA
- Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 6pm – 2am, Friday 6pm –3am, Saturday 2pm- 3am
Head to the New York-style bar Cane & Grain, venture through a secret door and up a staircase, and you’ll reach Science and Industry.
Located on Thomas Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter, this is an excellent cocktail bar.
If you’re searching for covert Northern Quarter cocktails this is the place to be. Science and Industry are unique in their mixology methods and even have an on-site chemistry workshop.
Science and Industry uniquely split their cocktail menu into past, present, and future. Their “past” cocktails are tried and tested and popular among regulars.
Try the Garden of Eden, its beetroot-infused London Dry Gin, sour apple, cherry liqueur, and chocolate bitters. Their “present” menu includes the classics like margaritas, pina coladas and martinis.
Flick through to their “future” menu to experience some boundary-pushing cocktails. The Fairy Tale of New York consists of bee pollen-infused scotch, marmalade syrup, lemon, and red wine!
This speakeasy-style bar has an upmarket feel and oozes 1920s elegance. Of the bars in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, this cocktail bar is unique and makes for a different and enjoyable night out.
7Sins
- Address: 43-45 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1FN
- Opening times: Monday to Thursday 3pm-11pm, Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday 12pm – 2am, Sunday 1pm-11pm.
This cocktail bar in the Northern Quarter is super fun, offering a good dose of escapism. 7Sins is an excellent Manchester bar whether you are visiting as a large group or just a few people.
The inside is covered in graffiti, neon lights and don’t be surprised if your cocktail comes with a glowstick or two.
Not satisfied with just talking and drinking, then why not play on their arcade machines, have a game of pool, or try their shuffleboard.
Let’s talk cocktails! You’ll be pleased to hear there’s a two-for-one cocktail happy hour every day of the week until 7pm.
7Sins are known for their fun-named cocktails that really pack a punch.
Try the Bumblebee, it’s Beefeater gin, lychee, honey, lemon, and apple. The Harley Quinn is sweet and fiery just like the character, it’s vanilla vodka, butterscotch, passionfruit, and fun pineapple bubbles.
READ MORE: 17+ Best Bars Offering 2-for-1 Cocktails in Manchester
Cane & Grain
- Address: 49-51 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA
- Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 12pm-3am, Friday and Saturday 12pm-3am
Science and Industry is tucked inside this establishment, but that’s not to say that Cane & Grain isn’t an excellent spot for a cocktail.
Cane & Grain sits on the site of a former skate shop. This is one of those bars in the Northern Quarter where there’s something for everyone.
The ground floor pays homage to the 1980s skate scene. The second floor is home to The Liars Lounge, whilst Science and Industry is upstairs for a more private evening.
Some of the bar’s classic cocktails include the Popcorn Old Fashioned and the Casa de Margarita.
They also have some delicious seasonal cocktails so be sure to ask for the menu when you are there. Vodka lovers will appreciate the Vodka Sling. It’s a combination of vodka, aperol, milk punch and lemon.
This is a popular Northern Quarter hangout with good indie music and a cracking atmosphere, it’s perfect for a night out with friends.
Dusk Til Pawn
- Address: Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN
- Opening times: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 4pm-12am, Thursdays 4pm-1am, Friday & Saturday 3pm – 3am, Sunday 5pm-12am
Dusk Til Pawn’s facade looks like an actual pawn shop, which in turn creates an instantly intriguing atmosphere.
Though it looks rather unassuming, this bar serves some of the best Northern Quarter cocktails with a speakeasy-style atmosphere.
Its décor is somewhat rugged, with industrial stools and a corrugated metal bar front.
Their cocktails are elegantly blended, served with sophistication and style. Their signature Pawn Star Martini is made with vanilla vodka and butterscotch schnapps.
One of the best things about Dusk Til Pawn are the attentive bar staff.
They are renowned for going the extra mile. If there’s a drink you’re craving that’s not on the menu, ask and they will try their best to accommodate.
The Fitzgerald
- Address: 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DB
- Opening times: Sunday – Wednesday closed, Thursday – Saturday 5pm-2am
There’s something about Manchester’s Northern Quarter that attracts these 1920s American-style speakeasies.
The Fitzgerald is a street over from some of the other best cocktail bars in the Northern Quarter.
The Fitzgerald is the home of jazz in Manchester. If you want flapper girls, excellent music, and an Art Deco interior this bar is for you.
They have excellent live music, and you really feel like you have been transported back in time to the flamboyant flapper-filled 1920s.
Just like the décor and ambiance, The Fitzgerald’s cocktail menu gets its inspiration from the roaring 20s.
The My Dear Zelda, is an excellent bourbon and lavender combination, inspired by a cocktail mentioned in Fitzgerald’s 1925 hit, The Great Gatsby.
Flok
- Address: 5 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN
- Opening times: Monday 11am – 11pm, Tuesday & Wednesday 11am – midnight, Thursday -Saturday 11am – 2am, Sunday 11am – 1am
Flok is in a prime location along Stevenson Square near the Northern Quarter Makers Market.
You’ll be able to find Flok with no issues, just enter through the vibrant yellow door.
Flok has a homely feel to it with squishy leather booths to relax in.
The crowd that tends to be found at Flok mostly includes post-work drinkers. If you visit during summer, you can enjoy the sun on their barrel-style tables outside.
The Grapefruit Cosmo is a real crowd-pleaser, it’s the perfect blend of grapefruit gin, Triple sec, lime, and cranberry.
You can’t forget about their signature G&Ts either.
The Porto is a delicious Ruby Port, with lemon tonic and a hint of orange.
The Black Forest is another house favourite, including Beefeater gin, black cherry, tonic and lemon.
Whiskey Jar
- Address: 14 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF
- Opening times: Monday 12pm-12am, Tuesday – Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday 4pm -2am, Saturday 2pm-2am, Sunday 5pm – 12am
The Whiskey Jar is another of the best cocktail bars in the Northern Quarter.
The Whiskey Jar is in a super cool setting, that’s reason alone to visit.
It’s set in an old textile mill that’s been beautifully restored. Hanging exposed lights, comfy leather sofas, and bare brick walls make for a quirky and urban atmosphere.
You can’t talk about The Whiskey Jar without mentioning their several hundred different types of whiskies.
Their eclectic range of whiskies comes from across the globe, everywhere from Ireland to India and Taiwan to Japan.
Though their whiskeys are the main draw they also have some excellent cocktails. You can also request to attend one of their cocktail classes.
This is an excellent activity to create some incredible drinks and memories on your trip to Manchester.
Lost in Tokyo
- Address: 26b Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1DN
- Opening times: Sunday – Thursday 3pm-11pm, Friday 3pm – 2:30am, Saturday 1pm-2:30am
Lost in Tokyo is a little bit on the outskirts of the main Northern Quarter area, but still close to most of the other popular bars.
This Tokyo-inspired cocktail joint is one of the best bars in the Northern Quarter. In true Japanese style
Lost in Tokyo is decorated with red lanterns and has a real urban vibe to it.
When it comes to cocktails, Lost in Tokyo is hard to beat. They have a large cocktail menu and offer some really unique drinks.
Rum lovers will enjoy the Baby Godzilla, it’s Bacardi rum, lime, pink grapefruit, passionfruit, and mint.
For something sweet try the Memoirs of a Geisha. It’s vanilla vodka, strawberries, lemon, apple, and lemongrass-infused vanilla syrup; perfectly sweet and absolutely delicious.
Behind Closed Doors
- Address: 93 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LW
- Opening times: Monday closed, Tuesday & Wednesday 5pm – 2am, Thursday 5pm – 3am, Friday & Saturday 5pm-4am
Wanting one of Manchester’s cocktail bars in the Northern Quarter that’s open till late, then head to Behind Closed Doors.
You’ll find this Manchester bar in an unremarkable doorway on Oldham Street. There isn’t much to give away the fact that this is a bar apart from a red light sign saying ‘BCD’.
Head through the door and down a tiled staircase lined with neon signs.
You’ll soon enter a world of vintage erotica. This place is dark and atmospheric, only lit by neon jukeboxes and a select few neon lights.
The Behind Closed Doors cocktail menu is not for the faint-hearted. Their cocktail menu is a bit raunchy but always deliciously moreish.
The Love Bite is a refreshing combination of raspberry gin and cucumber and raspberry sorbet. It’s elegance and raunch all rolled into one perfectly presented cocktail.
Tariff & Dale
- Address: 2 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FN
- Opening times: Monday- Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday & Saturday 12pm – 2am, Sunday 12pm -10pm
Located in a former cotton warehouse, Tariff & Dale is named after the two streets it sits on.
This is one of the best kitchen bars in the Northern Quarter. Among the exposed beams they’ve created a relaxed and intimate ambiance.
Tariff & Dale is known for its amazing food.
Their dishes are modern twists on classic home comforts but wouldn’t look out of place in a fine dining establishment.
They also pride themselves on their mixology, using only the freshest and finest ingredients.
From the Japanese Vesper Martini to the classic Daiquiri their cocktails never disappoint.
Yard & Coop Manchester
- Address: 37 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HW
- Opening times: Sunday – Thursday 12pm – 9pm, Friday & Saturday 12pm -10pm
Now, Yard & Coop Manchester don’t open late but it’s a must-visit destination for a day drinking session or after-work beverage.
Their cocktail menu isn’t large but the drinks they serve are divine. For their classic cocktail try the Y&C Old Fashioned.
This classic cocktail is made with handmade milk-washed bourbon blended with Wild Turkey 101 whiskey.
Yard & Coop allows you to sit and enjoy a fantastic cocktail and of course some of their specialty fried chicken!
There’s definitely more of a restaurant vibe to this establishment but there’s still a lively and bustling feel to the place. As well as good grub, they serve all the classic cocktails.
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