10 Best Pubs in Manchester

The Wharf sits just along the shores of Bridgewater canal and offers all of the classics from cosy corners and comfy nooks and crannies to quality pub grub and beer. The fish and chips here are phenomenal and the burgers are outstanding. Another specialty of the house that must be tried is the buttermilk chicken. Of course, it's not a pub without drinks and the cask ales, malt beers and wines here are spot on. While this 2-storey spot already looks large outside, when you venture in you'll swear it's bigger on the inside.

On nice days, sit on the outdoor patio for great canal views. It's just 10 minutes from the city centre to the south-west.

Port Street Beer House offers up a relaxed, casual, classic public house atmosphere while serving up some of the best craft beers from Great Britain and the world over. If you are into the craft beer scene, this spot provides a cosy, warm and welcoming spot where you can appreciate all the latest trends in brewing. If you're new to the scene, this is an ideal spot to start your journey. You'll enjoy a broad selection of forward-thinking ales, stouts, IPAs, porters, sours and beyond from all over.

In addition, they offer a vast bottle selection to complement their impressive draft list. It's only 9 minutes east of the city centre.

The Marble Arch offers a classic throwback to the days of traditional neighbourhood pubs with tiled walls and floors complemented by phenomenal pub grub and a curated beer selection. Here you'll find ales, lagers, stouts and other beers complemented by a great selection of top-shelf liquor for those who want something a bit harder. Music is provided by a jukebox to set your own soundtrack, and an outdoor beer garden adds to the ambiance.

The food is a point of pride here, from small plates to sandwiches and signature dishes. They also offer up a children's menu and vegan options to appeal to as many folks as possible. It's 11 minutes north of the city centre.

The Briton's Protection is a proper pub with yellowed walls and a stunningly robust whiskey selection plus an upstairs room with a theatre. If you know the difference between whisky and whiskey, this will be the spot for you, with over 300 varieties on offer from all over Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Japan and beyond. Two of the top choices by locals are Cu Dhub and Midleton Very Rare. When it comes to food, the fare consists of traditional pies, gammon and eggs and classic plates.

The wood fire adds its own sense of ambiance and upstairs you can catch local music, theatre and comedy acts. It's just 8 minutes south of the city centre.

The Crown & Kettle is a traditional pub housed in a Grade II building with staggering architecture dating to the 19th century and a younger, hip crowd. The beer here is of the local craft microbrew variety featuring such cask drafts as First Chop, Privateer, Shindiggers and Blackjack, plus guest lagers from further afield that change on a semi-regular basis. The fantastically elaborate ceiling is a big draw and you'll want to at least glance up, if not snap a photo or two.

The pub consists of 3 rooms. The main bar leads into a snug, then into a sports lounge where you can catch a Manchester United F.C. match. It's just 10 minutes north of the city centre.

The Molly House offers a superb collection of wines, ales, spirits and even coffee and tea plus a Spanish tapas menu, making it a destination for those wanting something different. This one began as an 18th-century gay bar, and today it's far more open and draws LGBTQ+ crowds from all over. The décor is as eclectic and individual as the crowd but maintains a classy, mature vibe. The beer and cocktail selection are solid and the music covers everything from world music to indie pop.

The bar spans 2 floors with wooden tables, bar seating and chaise lounges, plus an outside terrace. It's in the heart of the city centre.

The Castle Hotel is a standout of Northern Quarter venues with deep history, classic décor, solid drinks and a packed solid music schedule highlighting local acts. This pub has stood in Manchester since 1776 and its restored interior is Victorian pub chic with patterned ceilings, classic fixed seats, an ornate ceramic bar and stained glass. The music hall is a newer addition, just over a decade old, and it's become a hub for up-and-coming local talent as well as visiting bands from a bit further afield.

The crowd here is as eclectic as the bar itself, drawing traditional neighbourhood drinkers as well as a hipper, younger crowd here for the music. It's 10 minutes north-east of the city centre.

The Bay Horse Tavern offers a modern take on a traditional Victorian public house in the heart of the Manchester Northern Quarter with laid-back charm, cosy surroundings, beer and spirits. The selection of alcohols here is quite impressive with tons of craft beers, gins and craft cocktails on offer, so something's on tap for everyone. The furnishings are comfortable but timeless, with dark wood tables, chairs and benches. The menu as well offers modern-traditional fare with features like fish and chips, bangers and mash and even vegan takes like veggie burgers and vegan curry.

This is a spot where anyone can feel welcome and comfortable to raise a glass with friends. It's just 8 minutes north of the city centre.

The Tib Street Tavern is a straight-up, no-frills, classic Northern Quarter neighbourhood tavern that embraces the region's history and tradition and is a perfect fusion of vintage and modern. If you're looking for a theme bar, the only one here is "Neighbourhood Pub". It uses a straightforward selection of quality beers, wines and top-shelf spirits as well as TV screens playing current sports matches across 2 floors of space. The leather benches are comfortable and plush, and the service is down-home welcoming.

In a world where everyone seems to have a gimmick, the Tib Street Tavern has placed its bets on just offering a classic, old-fashioned community watering hole, and it works. It's 10 minutes north of the city centre.

The Kings Arms is a local Salford institution with great pub grub, live music, comedy and a letter-perfect fusion of Victorian grace and modern eclectic. The bar is famed as a set piece for a popular Channel 4 sitcom, and while the seating and bar are traditional Victorian, the décor has a bit of a modern hipster vibe mixed with a 1960s hippie aesthetic. The drinks are excellent and the homemade food is pub grub quality, but what really stands out are the community events. One night you'll catch a live band. The next it'll be a knitting club, live theatre or comedy.

The key to this one is personality and local colour. It's just 10 minutes east of the city centre.