31 Best Bars in Manchester, Liverpool, and the Peak District, England

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We've compiled the best of the best in Manchester, Liverpool, and the Peak District - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Albert Hall

City Centre Fodor's choice
One of the city's most exciting venues, this former Wesleyan chapel was abandoned and forgotten about for over four decades; it's now a superb indie music hall and clubbing venue retaining many of the site's original features, including an organ and stained-glass windows.

Depot Mayfield

City Centre Fodor's choice

This vast cultural venue in the historic former Mayfield railway station showcases the city's industrial past alongside a lively roster of arts, music, industry, culture, and community events. Its atmospheric spaces include the old concourse and the roof-top, open-air platform, and the place is dotted with street food vendors.

FAC 251

City Centre Fodor's choice
This club and occasional live music venue brings the old offices of the legendary Factory Records to life with sounds ranging from drum 'n' bass to indie.

Recommended Fodor's Video

LEAF

City Centre Fodor's choice
Tea shop meets bar and live music venue (with club nights) at this bohemian spot in a former art deco cinema.

The Deaf Institute

University Quarter Fodor's choice
Good acoustics characterize the intimate domed music hall of this landmark building (a onetime institute for those with hearing and speech impairments) that regularly hosts cutting-edge indie acts. There are also club nights, open mics, and quiz nights.

42nd Street

City Centre

Off Deansgate, this venue plays retro, indie, singalong anthems, and classic rock, with Manchester's proud musical heritage at the fore.

Aatma

Northern Quarter

This multipurpose, fairly intimate and stripped-back space hosts club nights from northern soul to electro, live music, poetry, and more. There's also a pizza menu.

Alma de Cuba

City Centre

A church transformed into a luxurious bar, Alma de Cuba has a huge mirrored altar and hundreds of dripping candles. They also serve a popular Sunday brunch with a live gospel choir and samba afternoon teas.

Arts Club

City Centre

Music, art, and science events are all in the mix at this long-standing venue reinvented as a creative space and bar.

Band on the Wall

Northern Quarter

This famous venue has a reputation for hosting both established and pioneering acts.

Berry and Rye

City Centre
Hidden away behind an unassuming and umarked facade, Berry and Rye is a Prohibition-era speakeasy that brings together expertly mixed cocktails and cakes in a stylish candlelit space.
48 Berry St., Liverpool, L1 4JQ, England

Camp and Furnace

City Centre

This huge venue in a former Edwardian foundry and blade-making factory retains a suitably industrial vibe for its club nights, live music, food festivals, exhibitions, and art installations.

Cavern Club

City Centre

While not the original venue—that was demolished years ago—this is still a popular music spot, drawing in rock-and-roll fans with its live acts including Beatles tribute bands.

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Cloud 23

City Centre

This dressy Champagne and cocktail bar in the city's second-tallest building has stunning 360-degree views. Some of its inventive concoctions make a playful nod to local culture. You can also get afternoon tea or snacks such as tacos and antipasti.

Dukes 92

Castlefield

Once a stable block for horses working the canals, this is a great spot for a pub lunch or drink, especially in the summer, thanks to its waterside terrace, balcony, and outdoor kitchen.

Folk

West Didsbury

Bars and restaurants come and go on trendy, ever-evolving Burton Road, but this bar and café has stood the test of time thanks to its heated terrace (complete with palm trees), chic interiors, and good food.

Gorilla

University Quarter
Nestled under old railway arches, Gorilla is a live-music venue and gin parlor with an intimate vibe.

Hidden

This former mill building near the infamous Strangeways prison hosts house, disco, and techno nights.

Invisible Wind Factory

This quirky entertainment complex in a former warehouse just north of the city center bills itself as a cultural theme park of the future. Expect live music and makers' workshops, as well as on-site artists' studios and a garden. There's now a Rollerdome with skating sessions and classes.

Kazimier Garden

City Centre

Owned by the Invisible Wind Factory, this eccentric outdoor venue (with heaters) hosts live music accompanied by food from its barbecue. It also has a vintage boutique shop and an art gallery.

Manchester Arena

Europe's largest indoor arena by capacity hosts shows by major rock and pop stars, as well as large-scale sporting events.

New Century Hall

Once host to the likes of Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones, this iconic 1960s venue has reopened but retains many of its original features, including vintage wooden paneling and a sprung dance floor, which contrast with newer additions such as a disco ceiling lighting installation. In addition to live music and a full bar, it hosts a street food hall and a creative college in music, games, and computing.

Night & Day Café

Northern Quarter
This was a major player in Manchester's musical history: many bands who played here eventually went on to huge success, including Elbow. Now this venue and café-bar covers all genres, from indie and folk to jazz and electronica.

O2 Apollo Manchester

Ardwick Green

Housed in an art deco venue, the 3,500-seat venue (known by locals as just "the Apollo") showcases live rock and comedy acts before a mixed-age crowd.

Peveril of the Peak

St Peters Square

This photogenic throwback Victorian pub with a green-tile exterior draws a crush of locals to its tiny rooms.

Pub
127 Great Bridgewater St., Manchester, M1 5JQ, England
0161-236–6364

The Angel

Northern Quarter
You won't find any televisions in this atmospheric real ale pub that serves beers from small independent breweries. British comfort food (sometimes with a modern twist like Lancashire cheese croquettes) is also offered in both the bar and its cozy restaurant, which comes with a log fire and grand piano.
Pub
6 Angel St., Manchester, M4 4BQ, England
0161-833–4786

The Briton's Protection

City Centre

You can sample more than 230 whiskies and bourbons at this gorgeous pub with stained-glass windows, cozy back rooms, a spacious beer garden, and a mural of the Peterloo Massacre.

Pub
50 Great Bridgewater St., Manchester, M1 5LE, England
0161-236–5895

The Marble Arch Inn

Northern Quarter

This handsome, unspoiled Victorian pub specializes in craft beers brewed by local firm Manchester Marble and offers a famous cheese board.

The Molly House

City Centre

This lively Gay Village bar has an outstanding selection of beers from around the world, in addition to good wine and cocktail lists. The tapas nibbles are delicious and surprisingly inexpensive.

The Oast House

Spinningfields

This unique pub, surrounded by a large terrace with cabanas, occupies a 16th-century oasthouse (where brewers roasted hops) that was brought here, brick by brick, from Kent. The emphasis here is on craft beers and ales, accompanied by playful food such as Northern poutine with Lancashire cheese.