Guides
What's on
Where to go
See all

Guides
What's on
Where to go
See all

Gin Bars in Manchester

Charlie Hooson-Sykes

It’d be almost impossible to have missed the increase in the popularity of gin over the last couple of years. We’ve gone from a few iconic coloured bottles on the shelves to over 600 gins worldwide, as well as tonics to tempt and garnishes galore. From the sweet gin to the savoury, juniper forward to spiced, there’s a gin for everyone.

So where, in our fair city of Manchester, can you find the best gins, the best gin cocktails, or just those unusual little bottles that you might not find anywhere else? Gin expert The Lady Sybil (otherwise known as Charlie) has chosen her top spots in Manchester. We declare it gin o’clock.

Our top picks

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, 15 Watson St, Manchester, M3 4LP - Visit now

A must-visit for gin lovers and the yet-to-be-converted, the Spirit of Manchester Distillery is the perfect place to while away a few hours in Deansgate. Set in six lovingly restored Grade-II listed railway arches, the independent distillery balances an international reputation with some of the most personal tours, tastings and gin making experiences around.

Find out more
Building: The Spirit of Manchester Distillary Location: Manchester Architect: Up North Architects

Atlas Bar

Atlas Bar, 376 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LY - Visit now

With the biggest selection in the city, Atlas Bar at the bottom of Deansgate is a must. The Gin Bible here ensures that you have an up to date list of everything on offer, with tasting notes to help you decide. It’s also the only place in the city to offer gin-matched dinners from chef Ross Parker (formerly of Arbutus and Harvey Nichols). Of course, you can always ask the staff on hand to help you pick a gin, tonic and garnish, too.

Find out more

Gorilla

Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5WW - Visit now

With its upstairs Gin Parlour, above the main bar, Gorilla deserves a mention for its classic gin cocktail menu. We’re big fans of the perfectly balanced Aviation here, and the gin and tonic menu, which takes the concept one step further, with layers of flavour.

Find out more
Gorilla, Whitworth street Manchester

Mr Cooper’s House and Garden

Mr Cooper’s House and Garden, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 2DS - Visit now

Mr Cooper’s House and Garden has a much smaller list than the other bars, but it is perfectly formed. Styles of gin are listed so you can make your selection, they have recommended garnishes and tonics – but this is also the best place to go off menu and sample a classic. If you like your gin in a Dirty Martini, the skill in mixing and the quality of olive makes Mr Cooper’s a must.

Find out more

Where to go in Manchester

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Rat & Pigeon

A slice of alternative Manchester in pub form, down a grotty, gritty backstreet and with a disgusting name. What’s not to love?

Cafe Beermoth
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Cafe Beermoth

Cafe Beermoth is the very definition of a modern Manchester pub – relaxed, friendly and with a wide range of carefully curated booze options.

Tangerine
Chapel Street
Restaurant
Tangerine

Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

Bar Posie
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Posie

A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

Salford
Restaurant
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar

Kallos is a Greek restaurant and wine bar in Salford, serving up exquisite dishes throughout the day and evening.

The Rose & Monkey Hotel
Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Rose & Monkey Hotel

The Rose & Monkey Hotel is one of the Northern Quarter’s best music-led bars, with a truly impressive beer garden. Our new favourite Manchester pub.

Ancoats
Bar or Pub
Finders Keepers

Welcoming waterside bar in New Islington Marina, serving a wide array of carefully-curated cocktails.

See all places

Manchester Visitor Guides

Vegan and Vegetarian Food

Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester.

Bars & Pubs in Manchester

Pint of mild, limited-run natural wine or cocktail drowning in dry ice? You'll find them all in Manchester. But maybe not together.

Casual Dining in Manchester

Casual dining doesn't mean low effort. Manchester has a host of laid-back restaurants where you can drop in and kick back.

New Openings in Manchester

Manchester’s food and drink scene is thriving. Here are the recently-opened venues who are worth your pounds, shillings and pence.

Manchester Restaurant Deals

Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.

Manchester District Guides

The cafe in the trees at the Whitworth
Oxford Road, Manchester

We cherrypick our favourite spots on Oxford Road, taking in unique theatres, characterful gig venues and fascinating museums.
Deansgate, Manchester

When you think of Deansgate, you might think about the long (seemingly endless) street that runs from the Manchester Cathedral all the way down to the Deansgate Towers. And you…
Outside Aviva Studios by the River Irwell
City Centre, Manchester

The heart of Manchester is packed full with history and stories. This industriousness is evident across the city centre, where proud heritage meets contemporary ambition, and a forward-looking mix of…
Cutting Room Square
Ancoats & New Islington

Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city’s most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.
Northern Quarter, Manchester
Northern Quarter, Manchester

Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens. Here are the places you need to check out.
Salford museum and art gallery exterior
Salford, Greater Manchester

Cross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.
The front of Didsbury restaurant Volta.
Didsbury, Manchester

Didsbury has the perfect split between big brands and independent businesses, welcoming all from far and wide.
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Destination Guides

Culture Guides

Ceramic Sculpture
Exhibitions

Across Manchester and Salford right now, exhibitions are thinking hard about how things are made – and how materials carry stories.

Music

From underground festivals showcasing emerging talent to global icons unveiling new work, here are our latest live music highlights.

A pair of white angel wings displayed against a dark, black background. The lower parts of the wings are stained with vivid red, resembling blood splatter.
Theatre

This month’s theatre highlights span dystopian classics, political thrillers and bold new opera.

Food and Drink in the North

Spring is coming, at some point. As for now, it’s cold and grim so take our advice and shelter in a nice warm restaurant, pub or bar.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.