31 Best Bars in Manchester, Liverpool, and the Peak District, England
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.
Depot Mayfield
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
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LEAF
The Deaf Institute
42nd Street
Off Deansgate, this venue plays retro, indie, singalong anthems, and classic rock, with Manchester's proud musical heritage at the fore.
Aatma
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
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
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
This famous venue has a reputation for hosting both established and pioneering acts.
Berry and Rye
Camp and Furnace
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
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.
Cloud 23
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
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
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
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
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
O2 Apollo Manchester
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
This photogenic throwback Victorian pub with a green-tile exterior draws a crush of locals to its tiny rooms.
The Angel
The Briton's Protection
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.
The Marble Arch Inn
This handsome, unspoiled Victorian pub specializes in craft beers brewed by local firm Manchester Marble and offers a famous cheese board.
The Molly House
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
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.