What are the best pubs in Manchester?

Manchester is a city famous for its pubs - and not just The Rovers Return, either. From Tudor taverns to haunted hotels, the city's pubs are just as varied and eclectic as its people.

The Didsbury

Located on the site of the former village green, The Didsbury in the suburb of Didsbury is a welcoming family pub offering plenty of drinks and a big food menu.

A former coach house built in the 18th century, The Didsbury has a cosy interior with exposed beams and open fireplaces, and a large garden.

The Bowling Green

Just a couple of miles from Old Trafford, The Bowling Green provides food, fun, and functions, and even a few quality modern furnished bedrooms upstairs. There’s plenty of indoor and covered outdoor seating, perfect for a post-match pint to argue about whether or not that goal was offside.

" From Tudor taverns to haunted hotels, the city's pubs are just as varied and eclectic as its people."

The Marble Arch

A true Tardis, The Marble Arch is much bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside. It has high ceilings, mosaic floors, a huge fireplace, and a circular wooden bar, all contributing towards its olde worlde feeling.

With a menu filled with traditional English pub grub, The Marble Arch is a great place to go for both food and drink.

The Circus Tavern

Home to Europe's smallest bar, The Circle Tavern is quaint, quirky, and bursting with charm. A Tetley’s heritage pub, the walls are strewn with sporting photos and memorabilia, which are appreciated by football and rugby fans who pack out the pub during match days.

The Circus Tavern was even declared a Grade II listed building in 1994.

The Sawyer’s Arms

Just a stone’s throw from Manchester Opera House, The Sawyer’s Arms is like stepping into a wild west saloon - albeit one that serves real ales and old-fashioned pub grub (as well as whisky, of course).

The Sawyer’s Arms is thought to be one of the city’s oldest public houses, having been granted a licence way back in 1730.

The Old Wellington

Right in the heart of the city centre, The Old Wellington is an iconic part of Manchester's past. Built in the 16th Century, The Old Wellington was found on Market Square, and owned by the same owners of Manchester’s first bank, quay, and mill.

Following the damage caused by a 1996 bombing, the entire pub was dismantled and rebuilt 300m from its original site, now residing in Shambles Square.

The Shakespeare

Dating back to the mid-17th Century, The Shakespeare actually started life in nearby Chester. However, in 1928 the entire pub was transported brick-by-brick to Manchester, where it was completely rebuilt.

Offering plenty of food, drink, and events, visitors to The Shakespeare may even experience a touch of the paranormal - the pub is said to be home to the ghosts of a little girl, and a chef who was reportedly found hanging from one of the beams.

The Pig On The Wall

Originally a farmhouse built in 1684, the original wooden beam with the date carved into it now sits above the fireplace. One of the oldest buildings in Droylsden, The Pig on the Wall is a welcoming pub offering lovely food and a great, family atmosphere.

Crown and Kettle

With a unique selection of beers and plenty of mouth-watering bar snacks on offer, Crown and Kettle is a great place to relax just a quick walk from Manchester Victoria.

The pub is also home to MIRA, a street food kitchen cooking amazing dishes including pork belly, mozzarella parcels, and pizza bites.

The Briton’s Protection

A quaint pub with a striking red and gold ceiling, The Briton’s Protection is home to a mural commemorating those killed in the Peterloo massacre of 1819. The pub is famed for its selection of over 300 whiskies and offers plenty of food options so you can line your stomach first.

Renting with UNCLE in Manchester

If you’re on the lookout for great pubs, Manchester city centre and the wider area are home to plenty that are bursting with charm, character, and - of course - drinks. If you’re looking to move into the area, learn more about UNCLE’s apartments in Manchester and discover how you can live among such great venues.