Top 22 Pubs In Manchester

A cosy, traditional pub at the front and a foliage-laden restaurant with a stunning, award-winning garden space out the back, The Black Friar Salford is a jack of all trades. Tuck into hearty pies, Sunday roasts and even more elevated pub grub, with signature cocktails and pints to wash it all down.

No Manchester pub crawl of the city's best boozers would be complete without a trip to The Briton's Protection - a stalwart that's stood strong on Great Bridgewater Street near the south end of Deansgate since 1806. Its whisky collection is over 300-strong, ranging from rare Scotch to Japanese bottles, while red and dark wood interiors make up the traditional look. Better yet? There are even taps in the beer garden.

If you're looking for the best pubs in Manchester Piccadilly or somewhere to satisfy those tummy rumbles, The Waldorf has you covered with piled-high patties and other pub grub classics, all washed down with cask ales. As for entertainment? There's a weekly quiz and this Man City-supporting pub will also show plenty of the footie.

Need traditional pubs in Manchester city centre? Tucked away in Shambles Square near the Cathedral is The Old Wellington. But how can a square only built in 1999 house a half-timber building that's been standing since 1552? The Grade II-listed venue - the last Tudor building of its kind in Manchester - was dismantled and rebuilt in its new location after the 1996 Manchester bombings. Amazing, eh?  Today, it's home to Nicholson's beer and grub, from traditional fish and chips to their famous pies and Sunday roasts. When the sun is shining, the south-facing seating out the front is always vibrant.

Thanks to its sprawling beer garden and pop-up winter teepee, The Oast House is one of the most famous pubs in Manchester. If you don't fancy settling down outdoors, the versatile boozer is packed with fireplace-lit corners inside, keeping you coming back for more in any season.

While it leans slightly more into craft beer bar than traditional pub, BrewDog Manchester is a more contemporary pick for getting your fix of pints. Nestled on Peter Street, the dog-friendly spot touts a huge range of world beers, alongside their own Hazy Jane New England IPA, grapefruit-infused beers, classic Lost lagers and more. Learn more about their brewing process across some of your favourites at beer school, grab amazing burgers or head to their sister hotel for pints on their rooftop. 

Found on Bexley Square in Salford, The New Oxford is a popular venue that attracts visitors from all over Manchester. Expect beer memorabilia dotted around this traditional venue, as well as green leather booths running around the walls and a sunny beer garden out the front. They stock some of the finest international beers around, including over 100 Belgian bottles and plenty of local tipples from independent breweries - with draught lines and real ale pumps regularly rotating. As for entertainment? You can expect quizzes, live football and open mic nights here.

In the heart of Manchester's Gay Village, you'll find The Molly House's eccentric combo of wood, exposed brick, taxidermy and terrace. But that's not all it's famous for. The tapas here has also earnt it a reputation as one of the best places to eat.

One of the best pubs in Manchester city centre, The Salisbury Ale House is situated just off of Oxford Road. Their jukebox is filled with an unusual collection of rock, goth and alternative tunes, attracting a rock-centered crowd on most nights. Expect traditional interiors, pool tables and musical posters lining the walls, with a well-stocked bar to boot. That's not all though, as you can also get your hands on hand-stretched pizza here that's cooked to order - with toppings ranging from Tuscan sausage and roasted peppers to hot honey with jalapenos.

Edinburgh Castle is a once abandoned Victorian pub that's been brought back to life. Downstairs is a traditional boozer, while upstairs leans towards restaurant dining, making it home some of the best pub food in Manchester city centre - including a famous posh chip butty filled with beef tartare. But that also means Sunday roasts and set menus, offered up with beers and a generous selection of whiskey.

Since opening in 2011, Port Street Beer House has been dishing out premium the best craft beer and real ale around. This Northern Quarter spot is a traditional pub with casual cafe-style tables dotted around the intimate space, and upstairs you'll find a saloon-style bar with larger tables - perfect for groups. There are 18 keg lines and seven cask lines to pick from, as well as hundreds of regularly changing cans from all over the world. You can expect relaxed jazz, blues and funk music playing while you drink, perfect for a chilled evening with mates.

Topping off our list of the best cheap pubs in Manchester is The Grey Horse - a traditional location dedicated to keeping your drinks affordable while delivering a classic experience. Just a short stroll away from Piccadilly Gardens, it's a lovely example of what a typical pub should be. Expect Hyde Brewery's beers, alongside other pints, cocktail pitchers and wine.

Having been around since 1720, Sinclair's Oyster Bar is one of the most historic pubs in the city - sitting in its own little square in The Printworks. Though it had a number of brushes with danger during the Second World War, having to be placed on stilts when its surroundings were rebuilt, this place still remains one of the area's most popular spots - thanks to a cosy atmosphere, a spacious beer garden and some of the cheapest pints around. We're talking beer for well below a fiver, paired with fresh seafood or classic pub grub for under £10.

Perched just seconds from Bridgewater Canal and part of the beating heart of Castlefield, The Wharf is a pub that's got a whole lot of character. Head here for cosy corners or quiet nooks filled with fish 'n' chips, buttermilk chicken burgers and a massive selection of cask ales, malts and wines - plus an amazing terrace out the front for basking in the sun.

Making the list of best old pubs in Manchester is a place affectionately known as The Pev. With a traditional tiled exterior and wooden bench seating complete with patterned cushions inside, this Grade II-listed building from the 1920s is the ideal place to nurse a cold pint or go for a game of pool. The jukebox is sure to swallow up your coins, while there's a few picnic benches outside for sunnier days too.

Dating back more than 190 years, The City Arms is the place to be for cask ale. They've got eight different lines and two kegs to choose from, rotating on a regular basis, as well as a cracking selection of gins and whiskies. There's a cosy feel thanks to the two intimate rooms to drink in, with cosy booths and a traditional wooden bar, and you can also get your hands on some classic British dishes while you're here. 

The birthplace of Marble Brewery, this drinking den - affectionately known as 'The Arch' - can be found right on the edge of the Northern Quarter and was the site of the brewery itself until 2011. When local pints and specially selected guest ales come calling, here's where to go - with a long bar of 11 hand pulls waiting for your drinking pleasure. 

One of the best pubs in Manchester's Northern Quarter, Bar Fringe is a small, quirky spot flaunting bright yellow walls and a selection of life sized carboard cut-outs - from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Johnny Depp. You'll find a welcoming atmosphere and lots of entertainment, including pool tables, pinball machines and a jukebox. There's a pretty beer garden here as well, where you can sip on a cracking selection of craft beers, ales, and spirits.

A real ale lover's heaven, The Angel has both regulars and guests on-tap. There are log fires, local artwork on the walls and award-winning gastro grub too, so they've got you covered on all fronts at this Northern Quarter location.

After Irish pubs in Manchester? Check out Mulligans. Find this old school spot just off Deansgate, delving out the best pints of Guinness this side of the Irish sea and the traditional music to match, alongside plenty of screenings of the footie or races.

Boozers in the Northern Quarter? The Crown & Kettle has been a firm favourite around these parts since 1973. Not only does it have uniquely shaped arches and windows - owing to its location in a Grade II listed building - but also a mix of modern and old decor that makes for a cool combination.

A guide to Manchester city centre pubs wouldn't be complete without The Castle Hotel. Instantly recognisable by its red tiled exterior, this NQ staple has a long history dating all the way back to 1776 and a live music performance space too - plus ten cask ales on tap, so you get plenty of choice from the good stuff.