You’re never far away from a good pint in Manchester, and now we have an award to prove it. The National Pub & Bar Awards has revealed this week its 2026 shortlist of top boozers across the country, featuring 252 pubs and bars, with three Greater Manchester spots making the cut and representing the region as the best pubs and bars.
The National Pub & Bar Awards event aims to showcase the UK’s finest pubs and bars on a national scale, crowning the best venues within 94 counties across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats, The Horse & Jockey in Chorlton, and Roxy Ball Room on Deansgate have been named among the best in the North West ahead of the final. Other North West venues shortlisted include Parkers Arms near Clitheroe, The Bellflower in Garstang, and The Church Inn in Mobberley near Knutsford.
The 2026 National Pub & Bar Awards shortlist – North West
Cheshire
Church Inn, Mobberley
The Leopard, Nantwich
The White Horse in Churton
Cumbria
The Black Bull, Sedbergh
The Brown Horse Inn
The King’s Arms, Hawkshead
Greater Manchester
Horse & Jockey
Roxy Ball Room Deansgate
The Edinburgh Castle
Lancashire
Farmers Arms
Parkers Arms
The Bellflower
Merseyside
Star Pins
Flight Club Liverpool
The Windmill, Southport
The annual celebration will return to London for its 10th anniversary on Wednesday 10th June. Over 250 Highly Commended pubs and bars are now invited to the National Pub & Bar Awards Grand Final to discover the 2026 County Winners, Regional Winners, and overall National Pub & Bar of the Year. The 94 County Winners will be announced live at the event, as well as the Highly Commended venues for each area, collecting their certificates.
The night will also reveal the results of the Industry’s Choice Award, which is voted for separately by a panel of 400 handpicked industry judges and presented in a Top 10 format. On top of that, the consumer-voted Pub Group of the Year and Bar Group of the Year awards will also return, as well as the Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award.
