The Northern Quarter is one of Manchester's most buzzy areas, located in the middle of the city and brimming with cool places to hang out. Along with trendy bars, there are traditional pubs here, so whether you're after some pub grub or just want a great place to enjoy a few drinks, you'll find no shortage of options in NQ. We can help if you're planning a pub crawl or are searching for your new go-to boozer – take a look at this guide to the best pubs in the Northern Quarter.
The best pubs in the Northern Quarter
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Top pubs in the Northern Quarter
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1The Bay Horse Tavern Restored Victorian pub
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2The Unicorn Popular bustling pub
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3The Castle Hotel A must for music lovers
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4High Street Tavern Welcoming and family-friendly
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5Tib Street Tavern Top pub for live sport
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6The Abel Heywood Northern Quarter gastropub
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7The Hare & Hounds Unassuming local venue
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8The Freemount Lively late-night pub
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9The Crown & Anchor Pub packed with history
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10The Crafty Pig Contemporary and on-trend
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11The Lower Turk's Head Centuries of history
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12The Wheatsheaf Humble and fuss-free
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13The Rose & Monkey Hotel On-trend pub
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14The English Lounge Relaxed pub for drinking and dining
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15The Millstone Charming and cheerful
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Jump to
Top pubs in the Northern Quarter
Restored Victorian pub
Having undergone a big restoration in 2017, The Bay Horse Tavern is a modern version of a classic Victorian pub. These days, the venue combines traditional and contemporary style to create a cosy and vibrant environment. Choose from a large range of drinks, indulge with classic pub food, or join fun events like open mics and a weekly quiz.
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35-37 Thomas St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Bay Horse Tavern
016-166 957 99 - Read more on Thatsup
Popular bustling pub
A compact and bustling pub with a cheerful atmosphere, The Unicorn is a popular drinking spot in the area. The venue has a classic look, shows live sport, and has regular live gigs. Special offers on drinks give you value for money - the options here include spirits, refreshing pints of lager, and shots to get the party going.
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26 Church St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Unicorn
077-994 915 16 - Read more on Thatsup
A must for music lovers
Compact pub The Castle Hotel has a legendary reputation in Manchester, known as a hub for music and literature. Its history goes back to 1776 and these days it's a big part of the live music scene. Diverse acts play here, plus there's a jukebox. Ales are a speciality behind the bar but you can also try locally-brewed beers, amongst other options.
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66 Oldham St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Castle Hotel
016-123 794 85 - Read more on Thatsup
Welcoming and family-friendly
Located at the edge of the Northern Quarter, High Street Tavern is a comfortable family-friendly pub. It's based in a distinctive curved building but inside it's full of light and has an eye-catching chequered floor. The bar serves a wide range of drinks, plus there's pizza and traditional pub grub. Board games are available to play whilst you're here.
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3 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre
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Website
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High Street Tavern
016-183 987 55 - Read more on Thatsup
Top pub for live sport
Tib Street Tavern has a lively and relaxed atmosphere and offers comfortable surroundings with soft banquettes and exposed brickwork. Live sport is a big deal here, and the big screens mean you won't miss a thing. Sit down and watch all of the major sports fixtures whilst sampling the varied range of drinks available at the bar.
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74 Tib St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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Tib Street Tavern
016-183 416 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Northern Quarter gastropub
Style-conscious gastropub The Abel Heywood is a popular destination for drinks and food, but it also offers boutique guest accommodation. The pub looks traditional with wood panelling and serves a variety of drinks, including locally-produced beers. Classic pub food is served here all day, with the Sunday roast being particularly popular.
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38 Turner St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Abel Heywood
016-181 914 41 - Read more on Thatsup
Unassuming local venue
Located at the edge of the Northern Quarter, The Hare & Hounds is a low-key local pub. It has an eye-catching tiled exterior and an interior brimming with tradition. The atmosphere here is peaceful. The pub is known for its ales and offers traditional bar snacks such as sausage rolls. There's regular live music, too.
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46 Shudehill, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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The Hare & Hounds
016-184 314 05 - Read more on Thatsup
Lively late-night pub
The Freemount will soon catch your eye thanks to the green tiles and plants that clad its exterior. The interior is fuss-free, with pillars and wood panelling. This is a lively spot where the party goes on until late. Live music is on regularly, and the pub shows live sports fixtures as well.
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73-75 Oldham Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Freemount
016-183 525 48 - Read more on Thatsup
Pub packed with history
Historic pub The Crown & Anchor is a traditional drinking spot with guest rooms. The atmosphere is lively at this down-to-earth establishment, which has a classic pub aesthetic both inside and out. A varied selection of drinks is on offer here, in addition to satisfying pub food, including a weekly Sunday roast.
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41 Hilton Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Crown & Anchor
016-130 014 05 - Read more on Thatsup
Contemporary and on-trend
Craft beer fans can enjoy a drink in the Northern Quarter at The Crafty Pig. This contemporary spot has a bright interior complete with rustic wood panelling. Budget-friendly food and drinks are on offer here, including craft beer, cocktails, pizza, and burgers. Events like bottomless brunch also take place here.
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4 Oldham St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Crafty Pig
016-123 890 12 - Read more on Thatsup
Centuries of history
The history of The Lower Turk's Head goes back hundreds of years. Today it's a refined and spacious venue set over two floors. The ground floor has two separate bars whilst upstairs there's a heated terrace. This pub hosts a variety of events and specialises in beers and ales. Added to that, there are boutique guest rooms.
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36 Shudehill, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Lower Turk's Head
016-183 429 10 - Read more on Thatsup
Humble and fuss-free
If you're looking for a down-to-earth backstreet pub, check out The Wheatsheaf. This long-established pub is friendly and welcoming, with a fuss-free appearance. DJs and live sports provide entertainment, but you can also play darts, dominoes, and pool. A broad range of drinks is on offer here, but the ales are especially popular.
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30 Oak Street, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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The Wheatsheaf
016-183 394 45 - Read more on Thatsup
On-trend pub
Built in the 18th century, The Rose & Monkey Hotel is now a modern and trendy pub. It's a fun and cheery venue with comfortable spaces and eclectic decor. There's live music and a weekly quiz here, plus the venue serves a wide range of drinks and plant-based pies. Guest rooms are also available here, and discounts are available for travelling musicians.
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31 Swan St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Rose & Monkey Hotel
016-131 210 85 - Read more on Thatsup
Relaxed pub for drinking and dining
Enjoy drinks or food in an easygoing setting at The English Lounge. This venue has an imposing exterior and a contemporary look inside, as well as a compact terrace. A diverse range of drinks are served here, plus pizzas and classic pub grub, including a Sunday roast. Live sport is shown and private hire is available for events.
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64-66 High St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The English Lounge
016-183 491 19 - Read more on Thatsup
Charming and cheerful
Charming traditional pub The Millstone has a smart green exterior and a fuss-free typical pub look inside. The atmosphere is cheerful and friendly, plus there's regular entertainment from DJs and karaoke. This long-established local venue serves a range of drinks, including craft beer and cask ales.
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67 Thomas St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
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Website
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The Millstone
016-183 902 13 - Read more on Thatsup
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