Manchester loves an Irish bar and in recent years, more and more have popped up in the city, however, there are plenty of drinking holes that go way back, including the oldest Irish pub in the North West, Mulligans. Part of the city’s drinking culture for over 170 years, Mulligans offers an authentic Irish pub experience in Manchester’s city centre, with a warm welcome, live music every day, plenty of character and is renowned for its top Guinness-pouring game.
History of Mulligans, the oldest Irish pub in Manchester
However, Mulligans didn’t always pour Guinness… Back in the 1800s, it was a Victorian pub and inn known as The Waggon & Horses, serving both Manchester locals and travellers passing through the city. During this era, those visiting the pub on Southgate were drinking hearty ales as opposed to Irish stout.
But in the early 1990s, the pub took on a new name and identity – and Mulligans was born. Embracing Manchester’s Irish heritage, Mulligans became a go-to spot for the likes of Manchester United players, visiting musicians, and generations of Irish expats in search of genuine Irish hospitality and live folk music. In 2013, Irish entrepreneur Pádraig Brady took on the much-loved pub, restored the space as well as introducing live music every night – ranging from fiddlers to full folk bands.
With the oldest Irish pub in Manchester becoming more popular and queues weaving down the street to get a pint of Black Stuff, Mulligans needed more space, so in 2024 it transformed its cosy function room and guesthouse into a new second-floor venue. Featuring vaulted timber ceilings, two new bars, a mezzanine, and a dedicated live music stage, the revamp doubled the pub’s capacity, meaning more people could enjoy a pint of Guinness and find out what the craic is.
‘The best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland’
Mulligans offers quite a strong beer selection with a lager line-up including Staropramen, Mulligans Lager, Coors, Asahi, Sale Di Mare, Madri, Moretti Unfiltered and Heineken, plus craft favourites like Beavertown’s Neck Oil. However, many people come from far and wide to get a taste of the pub’s Guinness.
Mulligans serves what’s often named ‘the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland’, alongside other Irish stouts like Murphy’s and Caffrey’s. Many praise Mulligans for the smooth, creamy pour of the Guinness and it’s so good that Mulligans pours an average of 13,000 pints of Guinness every week.
But the owner, Pádraig Brady, keeps the secret to the perfect pour close to his chest, saying it’s all about being “consistently consistent” with every pint served.
Beer reviewer Schooner Scorer gave the pub a score of 9.2 out of 10 for its Guinness – his highest score ever – saying in his video review on social media: “I’ve had a lot in London recently that have been top tier but this is bloody good, I didn’t think they could do good Guinness in the north of England.”
He continued: “Look at the cream on the glass, it’s absolutely sensational, and in a venue like this, absolutely top tier. Smooth, creamy, perfect temperature, fast throughput, it’s got to be bloody high.”
Stay here for a good time and a long time
Alongside serving top pints of Guinness, Mulligans continues to create a great atmosphere for pub-goers thanks to its live music offering and screenings of live sports from football to horse racing. Combine those elements with the pub’s history and love for all things Irish, and the likelihood is you’ll want to stay here for a good time and a long time. No wonder it’s been serving for over 170 years!