The best happy hours in Manchester

The Blues Kitchen takes inspiration from the southern US states, combining live music, down-to-earth cooking, delicious drinks, and a party vibe. Happy hour runs all night long on Wednesdays, with all cocktails available for a low price that'll impress you. Enjoy a few drinks in these vibrant surroundings whilst you listen to tunes from the house band.

At Sandinista you can enjoy food and drinks inspired by Mexico and Latin America – think nachos, tacos, margaritas, and other colourful cocktails. The venue is relaxed and eclectic, giving off a historic feel. Happy hour here runs until 7pm Sunday-Thursday. Drinkers can get two classic cocktails for a discounted price that offers great value.

Located in the Northern Quarter, Foundry Project is a buzzy venue in a converted warehouse. It's a laid-back and trendy spot serving food and drinks, including bottomless brunch. Visit before 7pm Monday-Friday for a two-for-one offer on selected classic cocktails including Long Island iced tea, bellinis, negronis, and espresso martinis.

At Albert's Schloss you'll find an Alpine-themed party palace that's a welcome escape from the real world. Guests can expect hearty food, German beers, live music and entertainment, and a raucous vibe. Visit during the early evening Monday-Friday and take advantage of special offers on cocktails, pints, and bottles of prosecco to get your money's worth.

Chakalaka is a vibrant restaurant and bar making South African cuisine accessible. The venue has a bright yellow exterior and bold African motifs on the walls inside. Hearty South African food like boerewors sausages and bunny chow are served, plus drinks including draft beer, wine, and cocktails. Happy hours with discounts on selected drinks run every day.

When you want a cocktail bar that has a fun party atmosphere, Be At One is a go-to. This trendy contemporary bar has an energetic atmosphere. A varied range of cocktails are available and you can get two-for-one drinks during the daily happy hours. The friendly staff set the mood, mixing drinks and interacting with guests.

City centre dive bar Bunny Jackson's is the place to be if you're going out on a budget. This fun venue is loud and lively, featuring quirky and eclectic decor. The food here is seriously affordable, including their famous wings for just pennies each. Added to that, happy hour kicks off at 10pm every night.

A trendy spot to hang out by day or night, PLY offers co-working space by day and becomes a party venue later. Street food is available as well as a varied choice of drinks. Happy hour takes place during early evening on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus all day on Wednesday, with discounts on pints, wine, and selected cocktails.

The Smithfield Social is an on-trend place to hang out in the Northern Quarter. It's an all-day venue with a moody and contemporary aesthetic, as well as plenty of outside space. Globally-inspired dishes are served here throughout the day, whilst drinks include original cocktails and draft and craft beer. Happy hour takes place every weekday.

Salford's The Black Friar is great for a drink but its elevated pub grub also makes it one of the top places to eat in Manchester. It's housed in a historic building that's updated with contemporary touches. Make your drinks more affordable with happy hour every weekday evening, with offers on pints, classic cocktails, and bottles of wine.

The Pen and Pencil takes inspiration from NYC and is a hip bar and restaurant for any time of day. It's a bright and stylish space blending the old and the new to create a unique setting. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday, with discounts on various drinks. Added to that, you can get 50% off your food bill on Mondays.

An iconic Northern Quarter restaurant, Trof serves generous portions of British comfort food, as well as a varied choice of drinks. It's housed in a historic building and has on-trend touches like exposed bricks and vintage decor. Happy hour takes place on Tuesday-Friday evenings, with discounts on a varied selection of drinks.

Dog Bowl serves up food, drinks, and fun for all ages. In addition to serving indulgent food like burgers and pizza, there are five bowling lanes and an arcade full of retro consoles. This large venue is cavernous and colourful. Happy hour runs Monday-Thursday, plus there are two-for-one cocktails late on Friday nights.

Neighbourhood bar The Jane Eyre has a couple of locations. These bars are welcoming and have elegant decor. Regularly-changing creative cocktails are served here, along with international small plates like fried goat's cheese, courgette fritters, and polpette. Happy hour means discounts on cocktails, wine, and beer are available until 6pm, Tuesday-Friday.

At Twenty Twenty Two you can enjoy cocktails, play ping pong, and have fun. The large and fuss-free venue has colourful art on the walls and ping pong tables throughout the space. There's a busy bar too serving a range of drinks, including cocktails. The weekday happy hours means special offers on cocktails, pilsner, and bottles of wine and prosecco.

Common's colourful exterior is what makes it noticeable in the Northern Quarter. This trendy bar has exposed brickwork inside that's also decorated with vibrant art. Nell's Pizza is available here, in 14 and 22 inch sizes. Cocktails and frozen cocktails are also a speciality, with happy hours every day, including all day on Mondays.

Manchester is home to a couple of branches of Crazy Pedro's where it's all about having fun. These lively venues are covered in eclectic decor all over the ceiling and walls. Tasty cocktails and pizza with original toppings are served at this casual spot. Happy hour runs Sunday-Friday with discounts on pizza, cocktails, and wine.

Head to Chorlton to enjoy happy hour at Electrik. This popular neighbourhood bar has a bustling feel, a simple interior, and plenty of outside space as well. Cocktails are a speciality but coffee and a variety of other drinks are available, plus pizza slices. Daily happy hours mean discounts on lager, wine, and selected cocktails.

Salt Dog Slim's is an American dive bar serving drinks in an authentic setting with black and white floors and coloured lights. Visit this spot for cocktails, steins of beer, and hot dogs to munch on. The bar does happy hour Sunday-Thursday, offering discounts on cocktails, other selected drinks, and classic hot dogs.

All the glamour of New York arrives in Manchester thanks to Manahatta. This cocktail bar has a lively party atmosphere, serving up mixed drinks and NY-inspired food like pretzels, bagels, and hot dogs. Two-for-one cocktails are available all day from Sunday to Friday, making this the ideal place for a few budget-friendly beverages.

A glamorous drinking spot in the centre of Manchester, Dirty Martini has bold and luxe decor. A diverse choice of cocktails are served here, as well as some booze-free mixes. Happy hours are on every day at this bar, where you'll get 50% off cocktails and other drinks including bottles of wine or prosecco.

It's happy hour in Chorlton at The Beagle. This pub has a quirky and colourful look, a wood-panelled bar, and plenty of space outside. Nell's Pizza is served here, plus a varied selection of drinks. Happy hour runs five days a week, including all day on Mondays. You can snag discounts on a range of drinks, including cocktails.

Matt & Phred's in the Northern Quarter is a music venue with live acts every day - expect genres like jazz, funk, soul, and big band. Some events are free at this intimate venue. Pizza and cocktails are served here, and daily happy hours let you get hold of discounted drinks and free pizzas. Events like quizzes, brunches, and music festivals are also on here.

Haunt brings the Mediterranean to Manchester, and is inspired by travels in the region. This venue is laid-back and bustling, with a fuss-free interior and outside tables. Fresh baked goods, brunch dishes, and small plates are served, plus coffee and alcoholic drinks. You can get cheaper drinks every day with happy hour here.

Turtle Bar has a couple of Manchester locations, specialising in serving vibrant and accessible Caribbean cuisine. This spot is well-known for cocktails too. Happy hour is on every day here, letting you enjoy two-for-one cocktails in an easy-going setting with reggae tunes in the background. The restaurants are decorated with colourful wall art.

Head to Banyan for global recipes and enticing cocktails. A diverse food menu is served all day, plus lots of creative cocktails and wine. Two-for-one cocktails are available every day of the week. It's a vibrant venue that's decorated with sweeping floral arrangements and plush seating. Events like cocktail masterclasses and bottomless brunch also go on here.