The best pubs in Manchester: 20 ranked (2026)

#1 Photo to come

The Castle Hotel

★ 4.5 (1,455)

66 Oldham St, M4 1LE

Best for gigs in the back room of a tiled Northern Quarter pub.

TraditionalReal ale

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“In the middle of the hip Northern Quarter, the Castle is immediately recognisable from its glazed brown-tiled frontage.”The Times

On 5 of 7 lists (The Times, The Telegraph's top 500 pubs, Confidentials, Creative Tourist, I Love Manchester)
Recommended 8 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 1,455 reviews
Score 14 = 2 × 5 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#2 Photo to come

The Peveril of the Peak

★ 4.6 (2,247)

127 Great Bridgewater St, M1 5JQ

Best for the green-tiled pub Time Out named the UK's best in 2026.

TraditionalPool table

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.”Time Out's best pubs in the UK 2026

On 5 of 7 lists (The Times, The Telegraph's top 500 pubs, Confidentials, Time Out's best pubs in the UK 2026 (#1), I Love Manchester)
Recommended 11 times on Reddit, 1 against
Google 4.6★ from 2,247 reviews
Score 13 = 2 × 5 lists + 4 Reddit − 1

Full details Directions ↗

#3 Photo to come

The Marble Arch Inn

★ 4.7 (2,634)

73 Rochdale Rd, M4 4HY

Best for a sloping mosaic floor, a tiled frieze and Marble cask ales.

Sunday roastTraditionalReal aleBeer garden

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“This is arguably the most architecturally interesting and beautiful pub in the whole of Manchester.”The Times

On 4 of 7 lists (The Times, Confidentials, Time Out's best pubs in the UK 2026 (#15), I Love Manchester)
Recommended 15 times on Reddit
Google 4.7★ from 2,634 reviews
Score 12 = 2 × 4 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#4 Photo to come

The Britons Protection

★ 4.5 (2,589)

50 Great Bridgewater St, M1 5LE

Best for an unchanged three-room interior and the city's best whisky collection.

TraditionalBeer garden

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“On the back bar is the finest whisky collection in Manchester.”The Times

On 4 of 7 lists (The Times, The Telegraph's top 500 pubs, Confidentials, I Love Manchester)
Recommended 6 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 2,589 reviews
Score 12 = 2 × 4 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#5 Photo to come

Port Street Beer House

★ 4.6 (2,868)

39-41 Port St, M1 2EQ

Best for a big changing range from small independent breweries.

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Port Street Beer House is one of Manchester’s best choice locations for the beer aficionado.”Creative Tourist

On 3 of 7 lists (CAMRA's Manchester top ten, Confidentials, Creative Tourist)
Recommended 4 times on Reddit
Google 4.6★ from 2,868 reviews
Score 10 = 2 × 3 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#6 Photo to come

The Crown & Kettle

★ 4.5 (2,115)

2 Oldham Rd, M4 5FE

Best for an ornate Gothic plaster ceiling on the edge of Ancoats.

Old pub

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Its immaculate interior boasts of a grand plaster ceiling adorned with colossal pendants, formerly supporting lamps, while its wooden panelling was said to have been salvaged from the airship, R100.”I Love Manchester

On 2 of 7 lists (Confidentials, I Love Manchester)
Recommended 6 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 2,115 reviews
Score 8 = 2 × 2 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#7 Photo to come

The City Arms

★ 4.5 (1,490)

46-48 Kennedy St, M2 4BQ

Best for several milds and seven cask taps on Kennedy Street.

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“For those who still love mild, this is the place to come — there are several available.”The Times

On 2 of 7 lists (The Times, The Telegraph's top 500 pubs)
Recommended 13 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 1,490 reviews
Score 8 = 2 × 2 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#8 Photo to come

The Angel

★ 4.4 (1,116)

6 Angel St, M4 4BQ

Best for carpets, cask ale and a beer garden near the Northern Quarter.

Real aleBeer gardenSunday roastTraditional

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“This is a very traditional pub, carpets and cask ale, a formula that is winning the pub a new clientele amongst all the young folk who live in those big buildings.”The Telegraph's top 500 pubs

On 2 of 7 lists (The Telegraph's top 500 pubs, Confidentials)
Recommended 8 times on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 1,116 reviews
Score 8 = 2 × 2 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#9 Photo to come

The Salisbury

★ 4.6 (2,512)

2 Wakefield St, M1 5NE

Best for a rock jukebox, a music quiz and a pool table.

Real aleTraditionalPool table

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“As a visual symbol of the Manchester that once was, it’s hard to beat the Salisbury.”The Telegraph's top 500 pubs

On 1 of 7 lists (The Telegraph's top 500 pubs)
Recommended 7 times on Reddit
Google 4.6★ from 2,512 reviews
Score 6 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#10 Photo to come

The Circus Tavern

★ 4.6 (844)

86 Portland St, M1 4GX

Best for drinking in one of the smallest bars in Europe.

SmallTraditional

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Why it's here

“The Circus Tavern sets out its stall straight away: “The smallest bar in Europe, the biggest welcome in the world”.”The Telegraph's top 500 pubs

On 2 of 7 lists (The Telegraph's top 500 pubs, I Love Manchester)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.6★ from 844 reviews
Score 6 = 2 × 2 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#11 Photo to come

The Smithfield Market Tavern

★ 4.5 (1,021)

37 Swan St, M4 5JZ

Best for Blackjack beers and pub games on Swan Street.

Real ale

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The pub itself is modern but not jarringly so, with sofas, low tables and pub games, plus plenty of excellent beer, much of it produced at Blackjack’s brewery less than half a mile away.”The Telegraph's top 500 pubs

On 1 of 7 lists (The Telegraph's top 500 pubs)
Recommended 4 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 1,021 reviews
Score 6 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#12 Photo to come

Sam's Chop House

★ 4.4 (2,161)

Back Pool Fold, M2 1HN

Best for chophouse classics in L.S. Lowry's old local.

Sunday roastFish and chips

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —no data

Why it's here

“It was also L.S.Lowry’s local and there’s a life-size statue of him sitting at the bar.”Confidentials

On 1 of 7 lists (Confidentials)
Recommended 4 times on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 2,161 reviews
Score 6 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#13 Photo to come

The Rat & Pigeon

★ 4.8 (481)

The Rat & Pigeon, 33 Back Piccadilly, M1 1HP

Best for the Crown & Kettle team's newer pub by Piccadilly.

Live music

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The team behind the much-loved Crown and Kettle have taken over Mother Macs.”Confidentials

On 1 of 7 lists (Confidentials)
Recommended 3 times on Reddit
Google 4.8★ from 481 reviews
Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 3 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#14 Photo to come

The Grey Horse

★ 4.5 (1,062)

80 Portland St, M1 4QX

Best for Hydes cask ale in a tiny one-room pub on Portland Street.

TraditionalSmall

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Sport on

Why it's here

“The Grey Horse, owned by Hydes Brewery, is the best of them.”The Times

On 2 of 7 lists (The Times, The Telegraph's top 500 pubs)
Recommended 1 time on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 1,062 reviews
Score 5 = 2 × 2 lists + 1 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#15 Photo to come

Rain Bar

★ 4.4 (2,728)

80 Great Bridgewater St, M1 5JG

Best for a big canalside beer garden behind an old umbrella factory.

Beer garden

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The jewel in the crown though, or the spoke in its brolly, is a large outdoor area to the rear overlooking the Bridgewater Canal.”Confidentials

On 1 of 7 lists (Confidentials)
Recommended 3 times on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 2,728 reviews
Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 3 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#16 Photo to come

The Wharf

★ 4.5 (5,091)

Blantyre House, 6 Slate Wharf, M15 4ST

Best for one of the city's largest outdoor areas, by the canal in Castlefield.

Sunday roastBeer gardenLive music

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Wharf has one of the largest outdoor areas in Manchester and it’s in Castlefield, the canalside views aren’t bad either.”Confidentials

On 1 of 7 lists (Confidentials)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 5,091 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 1 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#17 Photo to come

The Hare & Hounds

★ 4.5 (760)

46 Shudehill, M4 4AA

Best for cheap Holt's bitter and 1920s tiling on Shudehill.

TraditionalReal ale

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Live music · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The beer is significantly cheaper than at other nearby pubs, and while there are only three cask pumps, the Holt’s Bitter here is the best I’ve tasted.”The Times

On 2 of 7 lists (The Times, The Telegraph's top 500 pubs)
Recommended 1 time on Reddit, 1 against
Google 4.5★ from 760 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 2 lists + 1 Reddit − 1

Full details Directions ↗

#18 Photo to come

The Edinburgh Castle

★ 4.5 (692)

17 Blossom St, M4 5EP

Best for cask ale and candlelit cocktails in a restored Victorian pub in Ancoats.

Sunday roastCosyReal ale

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Think cask ales and cocktails by candlelight rather than wall-to-wall Sky Sports.”Confidentials

On 1 of 7 lists (Confidentials)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.5★ from 692 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 1 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#19 Photo to come

The Temple

★ 4.4 (1,139)

100 Great Bridgewater St, M1 5JW

Best for a dark, narrow bar in an old public toilet, with beers from around the world.

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Why it's here

“It’s the closest thing I’ve seen in Britain to an authentic American dive bar: long, narrow and dark (there are no windows, obviously), illuminated by candles and red fairy lights, with walls plastered in gig posters.”The Times

On 1 of 7 lists (The Times)
Recommended 2 times on Reddit
Google 4.4★ from 1,139 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 1 lists + 2 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

#20 Photo to come

Mr Thomas's Chop House

★ 4.3 (1,806)

James Binney House, 52 Cross St, M2 7AR

Best for chops and pies in a tiled Victorian room from 1867.

Fish and chipsSunday roast

Pint£ ?not checked yet

Hours —from Google

Crowd —typical times

Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Thomas Studd and his wife Sarah established their Chop House in booming Cottonopolis in 1867, and it’s still going strong, serving up top-end pub grub in the famous tiled back room restaurant along with flagons and snifters in the bar and on the sunny St Ann’s Square terrace.”Confidentials

On 2 of 7 lists (Confidentials, I Love Manchester)
Google 4.3★ from 1,806 reviews
Score 4 = 2 × 2 lists + 0 Reddit

Full details Directions ↗

More ways to pick a pub in Manchester

Where this comes from

Each pub scores 2 for every published list or award that names it and 1 for every Reddit recommendation (up to 4), minus any Reddit comments against it. To get on the page a pub needs two lists, or one list and two Reddit recommendations, so one writer's favourite can't top it. Google rating only breaks ties. Every card shows its score and the sources behind it, and quotes are checked word for word against the page they came from.

The Times guide · Jul 2026
The Telegraph's top 500 pubs award · Jul 2025
CAMRA's Manchester top ten award · Mar 2026
Confidentials guide · 2026
Time Out's best pubs in the UK 2026 guide · Jul 2026
Creative Tourist guide · Aug 2025
I Love Manchester guide · Oct 2026
r/manchester Reddit · Jan 2026
r/manchester Reddit · Apr 2026
r/manchester Reddit · Feb 2025
r/manchester Reddit · Apr 2026
r/manchester Reddit · Mar 2026

We read Google's business data for 827 Manchester pubs on 26 Oct 2026, covering review topics, rating, hours, busy times and listed features. Nobody paid to be here. How we rank has the detail.

Hours, busy times and features come from Google and can change. Check with the pub before a special trip.