
We’re so happy to immerse ourselves in all of the wonderful clichés that make the season extra special. From the perfect mug of mulled wine to some of the most decadently decorated venues in the city, here’s our guide to the most festive bars and restaurants to visit this winter and Christmas period in Manchester.
1. The Oast House
An annual fixture at Christmas, The Oast House’s curious teepee is the perfect festive escape, with tons of live music, cold pints and winter warmers in the form of loaded pies to go around. Inside, guests can expect alpine-themed décor, warming fire pits, and plenty of seating to share with friends, as well as a fantastic menu of sharing boards and street-style food to enjoy.
📍 The Oast House, The Avenue Courtyard, M3 3AY.
2. The Ivy
Transforming for the winter into an opulent, Polar bear-themed wonderland, you’ll find plenty of delicious cocktails to try out throughout the season. An eye-catching installation adorning the grand façade of the restaurant, with illuminated letters, featuring polar bear statues dressed in festive jumpers and hats slogan, meaning both customers and passersby can enjoy it, with festive touches indoors by way of food and drink. Expect a festive take on a shepherd’s pie, cocktails with Monkey 47 gin and a polar bear dessert featuring white chocolate and spiced clementine.
📍 The Ivy, The Pavilion, Byrom St, M3 3HG.
3. Albert’s Schloss
Albert’s Schloss‘ grand, festive entrance has returned, with a helping hand of alpine food and drink to enjoy, too. From haus-baked sourdough and pastries, to Bavarian beers and the cosy, alpine dishes that Albert’s Schloss is already known and loved for, there’s plenty to feast on – alongside schnapps, hot chocolate, gluhwein and tons of live music and entertainment.
📍 Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, M2 5QR.
4. Bar Hütte
Adding to all of the bars in Manchester Bar Hütte is back and better than ever, with a whole lot of festive spirit to take in and another location situated at Kampus. Whether it’s a bit of karaoke in your own private ‘hutte’ you fancy, or festive cocktails in the cosy bar, there’s a little something for everyone this year. Plus, you can get involved in a wreath-making workshop to really feel festive and have your home ready for Christmas.
📍 Bar Hutte, Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN | Kampus, Aytoun St, M1 3GL.
5. The Whiskey Jar
One of our favourite cosy bars in the Northern Quarter, The Whiskey Jar is extra special come Christmastime. Boasting tons of festive décor to amplify its rustic interior, the hidden gem bar is the perfect place to warm up with a whiskey on a cold day, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday’s open mic night.
📍 The Whiskey Jar, 14 Tariff St, M1 2FF.
6. Freight Island
Freight Island is continuing to dominate this season – but not as you know it. Revamping itself as Winter Island just for the winter season, the popular entertainment and dining complex has so much to offer this Christmas – from foodie spots like Parmageddon and Cocoa Cabana to a Santa’s grotto in the Plant Room and an Alpine ski lodge at The Mezz plus plenty of live entertainment. Not to mention all the stunning, twinkling lights!
📍 Freight Island, 11 Baring St, M1 2PZ.
7. Ramona
Opening in Spring 2021, Ramona has cemented itself as one of Manchester’s favourite bars in a very short space of time, and now, they’ve shown just what they can do in the colder months and festive season, too. Opening a stunning ‘Winter Village’ this season, guests can retreat to their tipi and warm up by the open campfire, before enjoying Detroit-style pizza, tequila and more-ish hot chocolates. If that wasn’t enough, there’ll be plenty of live music to enjoy, too.
📍 Ramona, 40 Swan St, M4 5JG.
8. The Refuge
The Refuge is bringing plenty of Christmas antics to the city this winter, with a seasonal takeover of its terrace with its Winter Wonderland weekend parties. There’ll be pop-ups, workshops, arts and crafts, visits from Santa and a fantastic DJ line-up, plus ‘TV At Ours‘ – a chance to enjoy the best of festive TV the heated teepees on the Waterhouse Way Winter Wonderland – and in true Christmas style there will be tins of toffees to rummage through! Of course, there’s also a festive menu to scoff your way through, which you can see here.
📍 The Refuge, Oxford St, M60 7HA.
9. A Miracle on the Avenue
A Miracle on the Avenue is a brand new festive immersive experience, bringing a winter oasis to the heart of Spinningfields. With impressive sleighs, giant candy canes, a Santa’s Grotto, a selection of immersive games as well as a large seating area, the 400-capacity space will be open seven days a week from 12pm until 1am, with a special food hatch serving bratwurst and currywurst sausages, a selection of German-market inspired sides, and a number of desserts such as crêpes and waffles with all of the toppings. You can also grab a winter warmer in the form of mulled wine, Bailey’s hot chocolate with a twist, £300 Dom Perignon Champagne and a selection of beers – perfect.
📍 A Miracle on the Avenue, 14-15 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester.
10. Diecast
One of newest festive bars and restaurants to join Manchester for Christmas, is the 50,000 square foot beer hall and warehouse kitchen Diecast. Sing and get merry in the Winter Beer Hall, party all night in the Berlin-esque, Club Leno Ex Machina, or embrace holiday cheer in the outdoor Tinsel Town Trailer Park. Winterhood at Diecast will also serve up Sausages, Steins, and Bagels from the bustling Warehouse Bar & Kitchen, alongside mulled wines, hot punch, and more seasonal spirits and sips. Tucked into the Christmas Night Market, guests can explore vintage stalls lit with festive charm, a Rum Punch Cabin for warming cocktails, and the Christmas House of Daiquiri for seasonal drinks.
📍 Diecast, 51 Ducie St, M1 2JQ.
11. Winter Assembly
Manchester’s new creative district, St. John’s, has opened its Christmas offering for the 2024 festive season, called Winter Assembly – and in keeping with its newest offering Courts Club, it’s promising activities aplenty. The bougie tennis and basketball destination has undergone a winter wonderland makeover, with its courts transforming into the city’s newest, fully independent ice rink.
You can show off your pipes in the ‘Chala-oke huts’, or sit back and relax with a Christmas film on the two big screens, all with a spot of festive street food and a cocktail or hot chocolate in hand. Eats and tipples on offer include winter gyros from Lucky Gyros, festive grilled cheeses, boozy hot chocolate, German BBQ specials and more.
📍 Courts Club, Goods Yard St, Manchester M3 3BG.
12. Society
Society is officially stepping into Christmas as it launches an array of festive specials and seasonal dishes from across the globe, plus a list of incredible yuletide beers to match. Created by the venue’s beloved independent street food traders, there’s an epic feast of Christmas dishes on offer, and Society’s huge bar, consisting of 44 beer taps, will be awash with Christmas brews – bringing a hoppy Christmas to all and to all a good pint!
Independent brewery Vocation have released their 2024 Christmas beer edit and the festive brews will take a starring role on the bar with the chance to sample a Quality Street style selection via Society’s first ever festive beer flights. The festive flights will allow guests to choose four beers, each served as a ⅓ of a pint, creating the perfect seasonal smorgasbord of beers to toast the yuletide season and to pair with a Society street food feast. Escape the madness, the gluhwein and the crowds and join Society for Christmas by the fountain.
📍 Society, Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD.
13. Festive Party Yurt at The Lawn Club
Dance the night (or day) away in true festive style in the heart of Spinningfields, with the return of The Lawn Club‘s magical Festive Yurt, the ultimate winter wonderland for any seasonal celebration. Open until the New Year, the heated Festive Yurt serves all the best Christmas vibes with cosy sheepskin blankets, non-stop partying, DJs spinning the best party anthems and a stunning Christmas centrepiece – with a cascading arrangement of decorations – giving guests plenty of room to dance the night away.
Decked top-to-toe with twinkling lights, guests can feel like the snow is falling (all around them), whilst enjoying all the festive eats, boozy hot chocolates and winter-warming cocktails curated with Bankhall Whisky.
📍 The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG..
14. Nova Star at New Century
Shaking things up this Christmas is an out-of-this-world celebration that’s landed in Manchester, combining festive sparkle and space-age all in one. Known as Nova Star, the new intergalactic festive experience has landed at Sadler’s Yard, home of New Century in the NOMA district.
Santa has gone intergalactic with a celestial space-age tipi which is home to a whole galaxy of festive food, shimmering cocktails and ice-cold beer on tap. Visitors can expect a cosmic Christmas and a totally unique experience at Sadler’s Yard in Manchester.
📍 Sadler’s Yard, Redfern St, Manchester M60 0AB.