We’ve got the routine down to a fine art. As soon as the sun appears we make a mad dash to our nearest Manchester pub beer garden, no matter how uninspiring, to ‘make the most of it’ because we can’t afford to waste precious outdoor drinking time shopping around. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best beer gardens in Manchester so you can soak up every second of the sun while making the most of what the city has to offer.
1. 20 Stories
Not one of your classic beer gardens as such, however the highest outdoor terrace in Manchester sits 19 floors up, on the top floor of No 1 Spinningfields Tower and it is pretty lush to lounge in. The rooftop bar offers breathtaking views of the city, while firepits and cushions keep things cosy when night sets in. Plus, 20 Stories was named the most popular UK rooftop restaurant on social media, and 21,875 total social posts can’t be wrong!
📍 20 Stories, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester M3 3EB.
2. The Deansgate
The Deansgate, which was given a new lease of life just a few years ago, may look like a traditional pub, but its beer garden is anything but. Nestled in the shadow of Beetham Tower the rooftop terrace provides a peaceful escape from the noises of the city, with plenty of seating and a gorgeous setting on a sunny day. What’s more, this multi-storey pub has a great selection of drinks, with Greene King classics and the UK’s favourite beers, alongside an exstensive wine list and signature cocktails ready to kick your night off with a bang.
📍 The Deansgate, 321 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ.
3. Lock 91
Located at the far end of Deansgate Locks, Lock 91 is an often-overlooked hidden gem − meaning its pretty canalside beer garden is rarely full. It’s pretty small as is, but if you know you know, and once you experience it you’ll never want to leave. Take in the industrial surroundings from water level, and enjoy a tipple in this serene suntrap.
📍 Lock 91, 9 Century Street, Manchester M3 4QL.
4. The Briton’s Protection
One of Manchester’s oldest pubs, Briton’s Protection, boasts an impressive selection of 300 whiskeys and a good choice of local ales. But it’s the spacious beer garden that pulls in the punters during rare sunny times. The sun-trap holds the sunshine for most of the day, allowing revellers to make the most of the good weather, chatting, playing card games and enjoying the vitamin D − and when you start to get a bit red, you can easily retreat under the parasols and pergola roof.
📍 The Briton’s Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5LE.
5. Atlas Bar
Gin lovers rejoice! Atlas Bar stocks 250 varieties of gin which can be enjoyed from its all-weather outdoor terrace, with a retractable roof and heating, meaning you can enjoy gin alfresco all year round. The Atlas beer garden comes into its own in the sun though, with a secret garden feel and views over Deansgate Square, showing the beauty of Manchester in the gorgeous sun.
📍 Atlas Bar, 376 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LY.
6. Rain Bar
The three-floor pub was once a Victorian Warehouse and is now home to one of the largest beer gardens in Manchester. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale Canal and hosts barbeques for special functions, with this pretty spot being packed out on sunnier days. It’s always a good vibe, with great drinks and holiday feel that’ll whisk your mind away to the Med for a few hours.
📍 Rain Bar, 80 Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5JG.
7. The Wharf
Another Manchester canal-side spot, The Wharf boasts a sprawling terrace with plenty of outdoor seating, making it a safe choice when the mad rush to the beer gardens begins. Sprawling out onto the terrace in front of the large pub, tables and parasols look out onto the canal, with panoramic views of the beautiful Castlefield area, making it perfect for a tipple on a sunny day. What’s more, it’s just a stone’s throw from other Manchester beer gardens like Dukes 92 and Barça, so if you don’t want to retreat inside you can carry on the al fresco vibes all evening long.
📍 The Wharf, 6 Slate Wharf, Manchester M15 4ST.
8. Sinclair’s Oyster Bar and The Old Wellington Inn
Based in the historic Shambles Square, the duo embody everything we love about the traditional old man pub. The Old Wellington and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar combined may have the biggest beer garden in the city, but as a Sam Smiths pub, they also has some of the lowest prices which means the garden is one of the first to fill up − we honestly can’t remember the last time we saw a free table here when it was sunny, so make sure you arrive extra early if you want to give this beer garden a whirl.
📍 Sinclair’s Oyster Bar, 2 Cathedral Gates, Manchester M3 1SW.
9. Sadler’s Cat
Known as the pub that Manchester built, Sadler’s Cat was constructed by an army of volunteers during a series of weekly craft masterclasses over 10 months. With its relaxed Scandinavian feel, its beer garden brings a dose of much-needed tranquility to the city, sprawling out into the underutilised square outside New Century Hall. Grab your favourite craft beer, or treat yourself to a cheeky cocktail, shaken by hand and made with love for a sunny day.
📍 The Sadler’s Cat, Sadler’s Yard, Hanover Street, Manchester M60 0AB.
10. The Alchemist, Media City
Famed for its fancy cocktails, The Alchemist serves up dangerously drinkable concoctions with a side of smoky showmanship. And while we’re blessed with no fewer than three Alchemists in Manchester, the one in Media City is our personal favourite − due (in part) to the breathtaking views it offers across Media City and the quays, making it the perfect spot for chilled after-work drinks.
📍 The Alchemist, The Bund, The Quays, Media City, Manchester M50 3AB.
11. Dukes 92
Tucked away behind Deansgate, Dukes 92 has tons of outdoor seating for patrons to take advantage of. Bringing together all the industrial elements of the surroundings, Dukes 92 adds a hint of class to the area without driving the price up too much, and the variety of beers, wines and cocktails is second-to-none. Plus, the food is top notch, with elevated pub grub ready to accompany any tipple you fancy, so you won’t go hungry. Sit back, relax and sup your pint in the sunshine by the water in perhaps the most well-known beer garden in Manchester, or Castlefield at least.
📍 Dukes 92, 18 – 25 Castle St, Manchester M3 4LZ.
12. The Oast House
One of Manchester’s most popular outdoor spaces, The Oast House has tons of outdoor seating all year round. Grab a bench and enjoy live performances on the huge stage, or simply bask in the sunlight with a cocktail in hand. This is a massively social beer garden, and since it sits within Spinningfields meaning you’re spoilt for choice when you want to move on.
📍 The Oast House, The Avenue Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY.
13. Terrace NQ
Hidden away in the Northern Quarter, Terrace has its very own… well… terrace for guests to enjoy when the sun rears its head. The local sunspot features cool, stripped-back décor like the rest of the venue, and guests can enjoy drinks, pizzas and more during their visit. The beer garden has a secret garden orientation with winding, nestled areas to explore, with its very own outdoor bar, and what’s more, there is seating out on the road to the front and back of the bar, so you’re spoilt for choice for outdoor seating at Terrace.
📍 Terrace NQ, 43 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA.
14. BrewDog
Well located on Peter Street, BrewDog captures the sunshine all afternoon until around 8pm, giving Mancs plenty of time to enjoy the rare sun. Sip on icy cold brews crafted by the Scottish brewery, as well as summery cocktails, gorgeous wines and tasty food, right in the heart of Deansgate where you can hop along to endless other bars in the area.
📍 BrewDog, Scottish Mutual House, 35 Peter St, Manchester M2 5BG.
15. Courts Club
Courts Club is the outdoor sports court with a difference – sit down, grab a drink and bask in the rare sunlight Manchester has to offer. Whether you grab a deck chair on the green, or opt for a covered table, Courts Club makes for the perfect oasis in the city centre, over at St John’s. Groovy tunes and amazing cocktails keep the vibes going and the social atmosphere provides everything you could want for a sunny session.
📍 Courts Club, Goods Yard Street, Manchester M3 3BG.