The 10 Best Beer Gardens in Manchester
On the days when Manchester (finally) gets some sunshine, it fills up with pint punters and cocktail clientele alike. So, we're letting you in on all the best beer gardens in Manchester to soak up rays and bevs aplenty.
Date published: 11th Jul 2022
Who doesn't love a beer garden? Impeccable sun-soaked vibes, a nice cold beer, and worries about the head in the morning nowhere to be seen. Manchester brings these in bucket loads when the rain subsides, and to make sure you take full advantage of those days few and far between, we wanted to let you in on all the best beer gardens in Manchester.
So whether you're wanting a sprawling complex of outdoor entertainment, a secluded terrace to chat and laugh the night away, or an independent village of freight containers that has everything you need for an incredible day out, Manchester has it all. So, scroll down and check out all cottonopolis has to offer!
Image: Escape to Freight Island on Facebook
When: Opening times vary, check their website for details
Where: 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
Popping seemingly out of nowhere in the Pandemic, this urban landscape carved from a long-forgotten freight depot has everything the sunshine punters could want. A sprawling beer garden fit with heaters and covers, a diverse selection of independent food vendors, and an array of events from drag nights to comedy, Escape to Freight Island has it all. If you haven't already (have you been living under a rock?) then get yourself down to the hottest place in town next time we break 20 degrees, you won't regret it.
Find tickets for events at Escape to Freight Island - here
Image: Yes Bar on Facebook
When: Opening times vary, check their website for details
Where: 38 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DB
The rooftop terrace of the much loved four-story Eden of booze and live music, YES, needs to be on your list to visit when the sun is shining. The former auction house located on Charles Street is one of the coolest venues in the city, and whilst many have heard of its iconic pink room, many are unaware that this plant-filled paradise awaits just upstairs.
With turquoise beams and its stunning industrial modern aesthetic, you've got to check it out when looking for a Manchester beer garden, just get there early as when the suns out it fill up pretty quick.
Find tickets for events at YES - here
Image: Terrace NQ on Facebook
When: 11am - 1am Sunday to Wednesday, closes at 2am Thursdays, and 3am Fridays and Saturdays
Where: 43 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
Where to start with the secluded slice of heaven that is Terrace NQ. Don't be fooled by the unassuming front of the Thomas Street bar, because when you climb its stairs you are treated to one of Manchester's best beer gardens, both in style and vibes. With its rooftop location, you are rarely without sun, and the surprisingly spacious seating area is jampacked with plants in repurposed kegs, it's by far the prettiest garden on this list. Just make sure again that you head down early, it isn't the biggest but if you secure a spot, you'll be here all night.
Find tickets for events at Terrace NQ - here
Image: Rain Bar on Facebook
When: 12pm - 11pm Monday to Thursday, closes at midnight Friday and Saturday, closes at 8pm Sundays
Where: 80 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester M1 5JG
This canal-side beauty of a beer garden is always full to the brim when the suns out, but don't let this bother you, it provides an atmosphere like no other. Punters line the canal side with a pint in hand and every time you go, you always seem to find some room. Whilst such fun chaos might not be up everyone's street, the beer garden of Rain always provides an abundance of entertainment, and it's also a great place to visit before a gig. With a range of locally brewed beers lining the taps, it's one of the best truly Manc beer gardens on offer and should be on anyone's list of the best beer gardens in Manchester.
Find tickets for events at Rain Bar - here
Image: Grub on Facebook
When: Opening times vary, check their website for details
Where: 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
Located just outside the city centre in Cheetham Hills Red Bank Project, Grub has slowly become one of the must-visit spots in the city for a beer in the sun. With its sustainable, laid-back vibes fit for any depop queen or happy hippy, the venue is built from recycled materials, stocks only vegan drinks and only use local vendors for stock. Not only this but Grub has an everchanging bundle of some of the best street food vendors in the game grace its garden, and they always bring the fire scran with them. If you haven't been already, Grub should be on your list of Manchester beer gardens to soak up the sun in.
Find tickets for events at Grub - here
Image: HATCH on Facebook
When: Opening times of individual vendors vary, check their website for details
Where: 103 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
Oh hatch, you well and truly have my heart, and if any of you don't think the same then shame on you (just kidding but please go back and try it again.) Tucked away underneath the Mancunian Way underpass on Oxford Road, this community of freight containers has quickly turned from an exciting new venue to a cult of independent vendors and impeccable atmospheres.
The aesthetic of Hatch is unrivalled, and the freight containers help what should be a place caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city centre feel like its own secluded mini-festival. When you consider all the amazing live shows they put on here as well, it's hard to beat. Get yourself down and grab a bevvy!
Find tickets for events at HATCH - here
Image: The Wharf on Facebook
When: 12pm - 11pm every day
Where: (Venue and city)
Now, if you're feeling like you want to escape the urban sprawl of the city, then get yourself down to Castlefield. With its canals and train tracks providing an iconic industrial aesthetic the area is entwined in the fabric of Mancunia. This all makes for a spectacularly scenic place for a drink, and we think The Wharf is one of the best places to take it all in.
With a sizeable front yard beer garden that's right on the canals, the sun never sets here (well until it does) and you can lap the rays up all day long. Not only this but the interior is huge and the bar is stocked up with a range of ever-changing crafts to top it off. This Manchester beer garden is a must-visit, we'll see you down there!
Find tickets for events at The Wharf - here
Image: The Oast House on Facebook
When: 12pm - 12am every day, open until 1am Thursday to Saturday
Where: The Avenue Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY
The first thing many will be attracted to when they step foot into Spinningfields, The Oast House is an absolute gem of a place for a day drinking. With a central spot in The Avenue Courtyard, this old Kentish-style pub sticks out massively to the sky-rise around it with its exposed brick and wooden adornments. But, don't let the old-style exterior fool you, this isn't the place for Grandad to sup an ale, it is host to some right parties throughout the year and its modern beer garden is always bouncing when the suns out.
With a massive range of drinks, frequent BBQs and its unique deli counter serving up all the meat and cheese you can eat (or afford) it should be an essential visit when looking for beer gardens in Manchester.
Find tickets for events at The Oast House - here
Image: Dukes 92 on Facebook
When: 11:30am - 11:30pm everyday, open until 1am Friday and Saturday
Where: 18 - 25 Castle St, Manchester M3 4LZ
With its slightly up-market vibe, Dukes 92 probably isn't the place to come before the footy, but when you're feeling slightly upmarket yourself, and after a more civilised pint in the sun, then Dukes 92 is THE place to go. With its urban-chic aesthetic, glorious views of the Castlefield canals and Manchester skyline, as well as an incredible restaurant with its open grill it's the best place for a lazy day out with your significant other, or if you're fancying a posh day out.
Find tickets for events at Dukes 92 - here
Sinclairs Oyster Bar and The Old Wellington
Image: The Old Wellington on Facebook
When: Opening times vary, check their websites for details
Where: 2 Cathedral Gates, Manchester M3 1SW
If you're a football fan, you've probably seen this joint beer garden filled with European away fans sporting their team colours countless times. But, when European football isn't visiting the city, the iconic beer garden is open to all to bask in the Mancunian sun. With the garden split between both the pubs it means that the booze comes quick and fast, and not only that, if you find yourself in The Old Wellington, you'll be in Manchester's oldest surviving pub, built in 1552 the building predates the vast majority of the whole city!
So if you're feeling more of a unique beer garden experience then check out these two, just make sure to check the footy!
Find tickets for events at Sinclairs Oyster Bar and The Old Wellington - here
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
