The Best Bars in Manchester for a Festive Night Out

The lectures are winding down, and the city is lit up for the holidays. In Manchester, there are a wide range of fantastic bars and restaurants for you to enjoy this Christmas. Whether you’re interested in drinking 23 floors up or in the halls of a Bavarian beer house. Perhaps you prefer relaxing by the warm fire of a cosy pub that’s been pouring pints since the Victorian period.

This guide brings together the best bars in Manchester for a festive drink, from the polished and modern to the low-key and friendly. If you’re living in one of our properties, the city centre is just a short trip away. Make one of these places your new favourite spot for a tipple.

A Drink With a View

Manchester looks its best from above in December, with the streets below strung with lights.

Cloud 23, Deansgate

On the 23rd floor of Beetham Tower, Cloud 23 serves cocktails, Champagne and a festive afternoon tea every day until 31st December, from £40 per person. Book ahead, dress smart casual and bring photo ID.

20 Stories, Spinningfields

Found on Hardman Square, 20 Stories is Manchester’s highest restaurant and bar. Its rooftop cocktail bar is a calm place to start a night out, and you can book online for groups of up to 12.

The Festive Favourites

For the full Christmas atmosphere with festive menus and seasonal cocktails, start at these places.

Albert’s Schloss, Peter Street

A self-styled Bavarian beer palace, Albert’s Schloss is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. The bar hosts a festive season from November all the way up to Christmas Eve. Expect flowing Gluhwein, boozy hot chocolates and festive cocktails, plus a new set menu filled with German treats.

Manahatta, Deansgate

This New-York inspired cocktail bar is one of the most famous in Manchester. It’s also one of the busiest places to enjoy a drink during the festive season, so make sure to book well in advance if you plan on enjoying a night here.

Beyond the Drinks

A little friendly competition is an easy way to bring your flat together.

Electric Shuffle, Deansgate

Electric Shuffle pairs shuffleboard with an extensive cocktail and spirit-based menu. Camera scoring settles every dispute, and up to 16 people can share a board.

Flight Club, King Street

Flight Club does the same for darts, with automatic scoring and prices from £10 per person. Walk-ins are welcome, and its Christmas cocktails include the Sleigh My Margarita.

Cosy Pubs in Manchester

When the wind picks up, a pub with a fire going is hard to beat, and Manchester has some of the best places to relax in the warmth this winter. For a complete look at the best pubs in Manchester, simply visit CAMRA’s guide to the places serving real ale in the city.

The Briton’s Protection, Great Bridgewater Street

This Grade II listed pub has a 1930s copper fireplace in one of its rear rooms and a long list of whiskies behind the bar.

Peveril of the Peak, Great Bridgewater Street

Time Out named this place the best pub on the UK earlier this year. Look for the green and yellow tiles outside and find a seat in the snug by the fire if you can. If you’re an Irish folk music fan, there’s a weekly session on Tuesday’s.

The Marble Arch, Rochdale Road

Another historic venue that dates back to 1888, The Marble Arch is known for its sloping mosaic floor and its cosy feel. It’s another pub that made it onto the Time Out list of pubs you need to visit.

The Wharf, Castlefield

This canalside pub has two large fireplaces, snug alcoves and plenty of real ales on tap.

The Black Friar, Salford

For those over in Salford, you’ve got your own cosy pub to enjoy. The Black Friar is Grade II listed and still houses a fireplace dating back to 1886.

A Drink in Manchester’s Oldest Pubs

The Old Wellington, Cathedral Gates

Dating back as far as 1552, The Old Wellington is the city’s only remaining timber-framed building from that period. Just a short walk from Cathedral Gardens, it’s one place you cannot miss.

Sam’s Chop House, Chapel Walks

This low-ceilinged basement pub off Cross Street dates back to 1872 and is renowned for being the pub that the legendary L.S Lowry frequented during his time painting the streets of Manchester.

Low-Key Bars for a Quieter Night

Bunny Jackson’s, First Street

A self-styled ‘dive bar’, Bunny Jackson’s is as famous for its wings as it is its vibes. This place hosts live music 7 days a week and more than 100 American whiskies for those who love a taste of the states.

Corberies Wine Cavern, Half Moon Street

Open since 1978, this basement wine bar is a single cavernous room with a retro jukebox, ideal for a glass of red on a cold night.

Speak in Code, Jackson’s Row

This plant-based basement cocktail bar plays old-school hip hop and stays open until midnight, or 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tips for Your Festive Night Out

• Book ahead for anything in December, you’ll struggle to find a table at most places, particularly if you’re heading out on a Friday or Saturday.
• Don’t forget to bring your ID and student card, one for entry and one for any discounts you can find.
• There are plenty of places you can get in without a reservation. Bars such as Bunk and Wetherspoon’s are easy to get into and suit a student budget.

From an extravagant rooftop cocktail to a cosy pint by the fire, Manchester presents you with plenty of ways to toast the end of your first full-term at university. Explore our rooms at Canvas Building and St. Gabriel’s Court today, and discover your ideal home base in the city.