The best rooftop bars Manchester has to offer

What better way to enjoy a socially-distant cocktail than 20 floors up looking out over the skyscrapers of Manchester?!

We’ve hand-picked the best rooftop bars for you to enjoy your favourite tipple from a height away from the riff-raff. Cheers!

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The Ivy Spinningfields

Kick it off with a good one shall we!? Massive, eccentric and stunning even if the decor is a bit like a crazy grandma’s house. You know you’re in for a treat.

The Ivy Spinningfields, The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG
theivymanchester.com

king street townhouse hotel/Facebook

King St Townhouse

Let’s keep things boujee with a big ol’ swanky hotel, including infinity pool (although that’s not open right now, thanks, COVID). A cracking Instagram picture is guaranteed.

King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth St, Manchester M2 4AW
0161 667 0707
www.eclectichotels.co.uk/king-street-townhouse

YES/Facebook

YES

If like me the sound of a three quid pint makes you slowly turn your head, raise your eyebrows and lick your lips – this is the place for you. There’s also a pink room and pizza available but we all know you’re after that New York-style roof terrace. Plenty of live music too, you’re guaranteed a cracking (and messy) night.

YES, 38 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DB
www.yes-manchester.com

20 Stories MCR/Facebook

20 Stories

Back to the fancy, head 20 floors up and you’re gonna get one of the, if not the best, view of the city. Perfectly Instagrammable you’ll find real trees up there on the 20th floor and plenty of men in blue Ralph Lauren shirts.

20 Stories, No 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB
0161 204 3333
20stories.co.uk

cloud 23/Facebook

Cloud 23

We’ll keep it fancy for a bit with Cloud 23. Not technically ON a roof but it’s bloody high so we’re keeping it in this list. If you’ve never been then I’m not sure what you’ve been playing at for all these years. Get up there with a cocktail.

Cloud 23, Beetham Tower, 303 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
0161 870 1670
www.cloud23bar.com

The Lower Turks Head/Facebook

Lower Turks Head

Right back to the pub, a proper boozer and a cracking roof terrace while it’s at it. Also, it’s a corker of a sun trap, if we’re lucky enough to be graced with the sun again this year.

The Lower Turks Head, Shudehill, Manchester M4 1EZ
07776 144203
www.turksheadhotel.co.uk

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Honest Burgers

Perhaps you want a burger while you’re slightly off the floor (it’s only one flight up this one) or maybe you’re after those delicious rosemary salt chips – whatever reason you’re in for a good time. Especially when you can see Pedro’s over the road.

Honest Burgers, 36 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT
honestburgers.co.uk

Gotham Manchester/Facebook

Club Brass at Hotel Gotham

You’ve gotta be actually staying at the hotel to be treated with a seat on this rooftop but once you’re up there it’ll be worth it. Put your glad rags on, though, it’s a posh one.

Hotel Gotham, 100 King St, Manchester M2
0161 413 0000
www.hotelgotham.co.uk/pages/club-brass

Brickhouse Social NWS/Facebook

BrickHouse Social

Bit of a newby on the block, BrickHouse Social is tucked away off Oxford Road near Font. They’ve got posh kebabs, pizzas, brunch and of course a fantastic rooftop terrace. Which also has a cover for when it inevitably rains.

BrickHouse Social, 11-13 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP
0161 236 4899
brickhouse.social

G-A-Y Manchester/Facebook

G-A-Y

While there may be a seemingly never-ending amount of outdoor options down in the Village, head straight to G-A-Y rooftop terrace. Now the view has been spoiled by some flats it’s the best spot for people watching.

G-A-Y, 63 Richmond St, Manchester M1 6JB
0161 228 6200

The Deansgate/Facebook

The Deansgate Tavern

A lively spot for a chilled pint and packet of crisps or pork scratchings. If Cloud 23 isn’t your bag, this is the one for you. 

The Deansgate Tavern, 321 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
0161 839 5215
www.thedeansgate.co.uk

Great John Street Hotel/Facebook

Great John Street Hotel

This will have to be one you pop on your to-do list for now as it’s undergoing a massive renovation, which does mean it’ll be all swanky and new for when you do get the chance to have a cocktail some time next year!

Great John Street Hotel, Great John St, Manchester M3 4FD
0161 831 3211
www.eclectichotels.co.uk/great-john-street