The best bars in Deansgate

The best bars in Deansgate

Running for over a mile and a half right through the city centre, Deansgate is a bustling street that you're bound to find yourself in if you live in or are visiting Manchester. The road is packed with interesting venues, including plenty of bars for when you fancy a drink. From great live music venues and bars with fun activities to in-demand cocktail spots, there's no shortage of choice here. We'll take you through some of the top places in and near the street with this guide to the best bars in Deansgate.

In this guide
  1. The best bars in and near Deansgate
    1. One Eight Six – Hotspot for live music
    2. Speak In Code – Imaginative and attractive cocktails
    3. Schofield's Bar – Prize-winning cocktail bar
    4. Atlas Bar – Long-standing local favourite
    5. Point Blank – Bar meets shooting range
    6. Manahatta – New York comes to Manchester
    7. NQ64 – The bar for gamers
    8. Arcane – Cosy and relaxed
    9. The Liquor Store – Cocktails and rock 'n' roll
    10. Cloud 23 – Drinks with a view
    11. Three Little Words – One for the gin drinkers
    12. Dirty Martini – Glam cocktail destination
    13. Crazy Pedro's – Crazy cocktails and food
    14. Box – Destination for live sport
    15. Lane7 – Tons of entertainment
    16. Mojo – Open all night long

The best bars in and near Deansgate

One Eight Six

Hotspot for live music

A cool and modern destination for cocktails and live music, One Eight Six sits in the heart of Deansgate. This low-lit bar houses a number of comfortable areas and is especially popular for its regular live music performances. Expect the likes of soul, funk, and R&B when you visit this bar.

Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code
Speak In Code – Bars in Deansgate
Speak In Code

Speak In Code

Imaginative and attractive cocktails

Located just off Deansgate in an unassuming side street, Speak In Code is renowned as one of the best cocktail bars in the whole country. It's low-lit and elegant with hip hop on the playlist and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Visually appealing and forward-thinking cocktails are the focus here, with plant-based global small plates if you get hungry.

Schofield's Bar

Prize-winning cocktail bar

Just off Deansgate in Spinningfields, Schofield's Bar is a renowned cocktail spot that's recognised as one of the best in the country. It's housed in a striking Art Deco building with a colourful entrance. This luxurious and sophisticated drinking spot serves seasonal cocktails, an extensive range of whiskies, and beer, wine, and champagne.

Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar
Atlas Bar – Bars in Deansgate
Atlas Bar

Atlas Bar

Long-standing local favourite

One of Manchester's original café-bars, Atlas Bar has been open for over 20 years and is known for offering almost 600 types of gin. That's not all that's available here – food is served all day and a range of drinks are on offer including beer, wine, cocktails, and alcohol-free options. It's home to one of Manchester's biggest outdoor terraces too.

Point Blank

Bar meets shooting range

Point Blank is the UK's first simulation shooting range, combining the fun of hitting targets with delicious drinks and food. Guests at this classic and comfortable venue get their own shooting range as well a dedicated host. As well as the shooting, you can sample cocktails and snacks like nachos and wings whilst you're here.

Manahatta

New York comes to Manchester

You'll find all the glamour of NYC in Manchester at Manahatta. This is a lively bar with a party atmosphere and fun entertainment to keep things going. Cocktails are available as well as New York-style dishes like pretzels and bagels. Bottomless brunches and dinners are on here as well, plus there's a private room with special menus.

NQ64

The bar for gamers

The Peter Street branch of NQ64 sits just off Deansgate. It's all about retro gaming at this lively black-lit venue, which is splattered in neon all over. Sample games-themed cocktails, beer, wine, or alcohol-free drinks here whilst you check out the varied selection of retro consoles and arcade games, plus pinball machines.

Arcane

Cosy and relaxed

Check out Arcane for cocktails in a laid-back environment. This bar close to Deansgate has exposed brickwork, original Victorian features, and a drawing room style with patterned wallpaper and plush furniture. The resident DJ plays music every weekend here. A variety of cocktails are served, including classic mixes and creative original drinks.

The Liquor Store

Cocktails and rock 'n' roll

Award-winning venue The Liquor Store is a rock 'n' roll cocktail bar set just off Deansgate. Unique creative cocktails and classic mixes are available, with the menu cover always being a recreation by the staff of a classic album cover. The venue is lively and bustling, and also offers cocktail masterclasses.

Cloud 23

Drinks with a view

Enjoy impressive views of Manchester as you sip on a cocktail at Cloud 23. Instagrammable cocktails inspired by a range of themes are on offer here, as well as unique themed afternoon teas. This sophisticated bar has a sleek style and large windows that let you take in panoramic views of the city.

Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words
Three Little Words – Bars in Deansgate
Three Little Words

Three Little Words

One for the gin drinkers

Gin fans will enjoy a drink at Three Little Words. This in-demand bar just a short distance from Deansgate has its own on-site distillery and is housed in an elegant industrial space with vaulted ceilings and exposed bricks. A changing collection of gin-based cocktails are on offer, with global small plates available too.

Dirty Martini

Glam cocktail destination

You'll find Dirty Martini on the corner of Deansgate and Peter Street. This place features bold and glamorous decor and serves a varied collection of cocktails, including low- and no-alcohol mixes. There's lots happening to keep the fun going too, including bottomless martini brunches and cocktail masterclasses so you can learn to perfectly mix your own.

Crazy Pedro's

Crazy cocktails and food

It's all about having fun at Crazy Pedro's, and the Bridge Street location is only a short distance from Deansgate. You'll see colourful and eclectic decor covering the walls and ceiling here, plus there's a relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. Crazy cocktails, including whole litres of frozen margarita, are served, as well as pizza with unconventional toppings.

Box

Destination for live sport

A top destination in Manchester for live sport, Box boasts 25 HD screens so you won't miss a moment of the action. Activities like shuffleboard, live music, and karaoke backed up by the house band are available as well. The venue is lively and buzzy, serving an assortment of drinks and crowd-pleasing food like burgers, pizza, and sandwiches.

Lane7

Tons of entertainment

There's lots to do at Lane7 in Deansgate. This venue has a distinctive look that's packed with graffiti and neon. Visit for cocktails, hard shakes, wine, and beer, along with burgers if you're hungry, but the range of activities are what makes this place popular. Guests can try out bowling, darts, pool, beer pong, karaoke, and arcade games.

Mojo

Open all night long

Located a short distance from Deansgate, Mojo is a rock 'n' roll bar that specialises in creative cocktails and shots, as well as other drinks. You'll see a large neon sign outside plus plenty more neon inside the space, as well as on-theme decor. This spot is open all night for drinking and dancing.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.