Best Bars in Northern Quarter

Gorilla is a vibrant hybrid venue on Manchester's Whitworth Street, blending a lively bar, restaurant, live music spot, and nightclub. Daytime brings brunch and roasts in a bright, spacious main bar, while nights pulse with DJs, gigs, and cocktails in transformed party spaces. Funky decor, diverse menus from burgers to vegan options, and multiple rooms including a cosy Gin Parlour create an electric atmosphere for all-day indulgence.

Dive into a neon-lit underground arcade bar in Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter, where retro games like Pac-Man, Street Fighter, and classic consoles meet craft beers, themed cocktails, and pizza delivery. This spacious basement venue buzzes with nostalgic fun, free console play, token-operated arcades, and a quirky, graffiti-splashed atmosphere perfect for groups, dates, or casual nights out. Open late with student deals, it's an 18+ haven of 80s and 90s gaming nostalgia.

Nestled in Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter on 26 Oldham Street, Night & Day Cafe is a beloved live music venue, bar, and cafe blending daytime hangs with electrifying nighttime gigs. Capacity for 250, it hosts emerging talents and legends alike across genres, with a state-of-the-art sound system, friendly staff, and casual food like weekend breakfasts and pizzas. Open late into the night, it captures the raw energy of Manchester's music scene in an intimate, no-frills space.

Cane & Grain is a vibrant American-style bar and grill located in Manchester's Northern Quarter, known for its Southern US-inspired soul food and expertly crafted cocktails. The venue features a rustic, weather-beaten exterior and a lively interior with a distinct Deep South atmosphere. Popular dishes include smoky pork ribs, jalapeño cornbread, and truffle mac & cheese, complemented by a wide range of rum-based cocktails. Open late daily, it offers a casual yet spirited dining and drinking experience.

A compact, characterful bar-restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter offering inventive small plates, bao and tacos alongside a considered cocktail list; relaxed exposed-brick interiors, a basement innovation room and an upstairs seating area give it layers of atmosphere, while wallet-friendly portion sizes make it ideal for sharing and grazing with drinks.

Tucked away on Lever Street in Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter, 7Sins is a dynamic basement bar blending cocktails, arcade games, and friendly competition. This multi-level venue offers pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, beer pong, and video arcade machines alongside a creative drinks menu and casual bites. Open late into the night, it captures the eclectic spirit of the area with its lively atmosphere and diverse entertainment options, perfect for groups seeking fun after dark.

A speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind a pawn-shop façade on Stevenson Square, Dusk Til Pawn pairs dim, intimate interiors with a long polished counter, a jukebox and a menu of inventive cocktails and classics. Its Northern Quarter character is warm and slightly eccentric — perfect for after-work drinks, low-key dates or a late-night stop when the city hums into the small hours.

Flok occupies a prime corner spot at 5 Stevenson Square in Manchester's buzzing Northern Quarter. This welcoming pub and wine bar captivates with its extensive selection of sherries, Madeiras, craft beers, and fine wines served via Coravin system for rare vintages by the glass. Pair them with Spanish-inspired small plates like jamón ibérico, morcilla crostini, baby octopus, and charcuterie platters. The airy interior opens to an outdoor terrace that thrives as a beer garden in summer, blending casual vibes with sophisticated sips amid the conservation area's historic charm.

A velvet‑lit speakeasy tucked into Manchester’s Northern Quarter, The Fitzgerald serves craft cocktails, live jazz and burlesque‑style brunches in an intimate, 1920s‑inspired interior. Housed behind a discreet frontage on Stevenson Square, it doubles as a hireable performance space with a stage, AV kit and private dining room for parties and themed events.

Tucked away in Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter, Behind Closed Doors is a speakeasy-style basement bar oozing retro debauchery. Descend a trippy chandelier-lit staircase to discover neon-lit booths, vintage TVs playing adult films, provocative black-and-white photography, and plush velvet seating on Persian rugs. Order cheeky cocktails like 'Love Bite' or 'Ladies Garden' via retro telephones at your table—dial 0 for the bar or ring other booths for flirtatious fun. A shopping-trolley DJ deck spins boogie, soul, and funk, while hidden private rooms offer karaoke and intimate parties until 4am. Playful, provocative, and unapologetically eccentric, it's Manchester's sauciest after-dark hideaway. Free entry, 18+ only, with moderate drink prices.