It's fun to have a few drinks, but a fabulous view can make it even more enjoyable. Visiting a rooftop bar is a surefire way to get an attractive backdrop whilst you relax with your favourite tipple. Manchester is home to a number of rooftop bars where you can take in city views and get some great photos of the skyline. We'll show you where to go for those gorgeous vistas in our guide to the best rooftop bars in Manchester.
The best rooftop bars in Manchester
In this guide
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Rooftop bars in Manchester
- 20 Stories – Award-winning bar and restaurant
- Cloud 23 – High in the sky in Deansgate
- Atlas Bar – Iconic Manchester venue
- Doghouse – Beers on the roof
- The Con Club – Buzzy Altrincham venue
- King Street Townhouse – Bar at a luxury hotel
- Yes – Multifaceted music venue
- Sora – Asian-inspired cocktail bar
- Terrace NQ – Three different terraces
- Brickhouse Social – Bottomless brunch on the roof
- Big Hands – Popular live music venue
- The Ape & Apple – Classic pub, contemporary rooftop
Rooftop bars in Manchester
Award-winning bar and restaurant
Widely considered to be one of the city's best bars and restaurants, 20 Stories in Spinningfields offers great views from its 19th floor rooftop location. It's an elegant and modern setting with a refined style. Visit for British dishes or come just for drinks. Cocktails and wines from around the world are available here.
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No.1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Street, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields
- Website • 016-120 433 33
- Read more on Thatsup
High in the sky in Deansgate
Sophisticated cocktail bar Cloud 23 places you high above Deansgate in the heart of the city. Take in panoramic views whilst you sip on photogenic cocktails inspired by a variety of different themes. Themed afternoon teas are available too. It's a sleek venue with big windows so you can take it all in.
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Beetham Tower, 303 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-187 016 88
- Read more on Thatsup
Iconic Manchester venue
Iconic café-bar Atlas Bar has been open for over 20 years and boasts one the city's biggest terraces. It might not be as high as some of the other rooftops out there, but still offers great views of Manchester. The venue serves food all day, has hundreds of gin varieties, and is decked out in a trendy industrial style.
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376 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Castlefield
- Website • 016-183 421 24
- Read more on Thatsup
Beers on the roof
Doghouse is the first hotel from craft beer brand Brewdog. It also has two bars where you can enjoy all your favourite brews. One of the on-site bars is located on the rooftop, offering impressive city views in a casual and contemporary space. In addition to the beers, brunch and pub food like burgers are served.
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18-20 Fountain St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-146 710 03
- Read more on Thatsup
Buzzy Altrincham venue
The Con Club in Altrincham was previously a working men's club but today it's a vibrant brasserie and bar. There are several modern spaces here, including a roof terrace with tall plants and an exclusive tipi. This place has its own microbrewery but is also known for its vibrant cocktails. Food is served all day, with the main menu focusing on fish and seafood.
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48 Greenwood Street
- Website • 016-169 668 70
- Read more on Thatsup
Bar at a luxury hotel
Luxury hotel King Street Townhouse has a range of facilities for residents and non-residents, including an exclusive rooftop bar offering sweeping city views. In comfortable surroundings you can enjoy clear views of the skyline and get some great photos whilst drinking seasonal and signature cocktails, wine, or non-alcoholic options.
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10 Booth St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-166 707 07
- Read more on Thatsup
Multifaceted music venue
You'll discover four floors of fun at Yes, including a roof terrace where you can enjoy a few drinks like affordable pints and well-crafted cocktails. This buzzy venue also houses spaces for live music, a beer garden, and an indoor bar. Street food is available and there are regular performances from live acts and DJs.
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38 Charles St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-127 327 25
- Read more on Thatsup
Asian-inspired cocktail bar
Elegant cocktail bar Sora serves Asian-inspired drinks and snacks. The cocktails use enticing Asian ingredients for authentic flavours. The venue has large windows and outside space so you can take in the impressive city views whilst you relax. This colourful space is enhanced with bold artwork and DJs and live musicians regularly add to the atmosphere.
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23 Princess St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 033-001 603 80
- Read more on Thatsup
Three different terraces
Terrace NQ gives you a choice of three different roof terraces enhanced with greenery, as well as a sophisticated indoor space with wood panelling and exposed brickwork. Guests can relax here with cocktails and craft beers, plus food is served. DJs regularly provide the soundtrack at this popular venue.
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43 Thomas St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
- 016-171 810 28
- Read more on Thatsup
Popular live music venue
Open since 2001, Big Hands is a well-established Manchester venue that's especially popular with students and live music fans. This lively venue has a cosy interior as well as a leafy rooftop garden for al fresco drinks. Drinks are known to be affordable here whilst the atmosphere is positive and fun.
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296 Oxford Rd
- 016-127 273 09
- Read more on Thatsup
Classic pub, contemporary rooftop
More a pub than a bar, The Ape & Apple is still a great venue for rooftop drinking. There's a classic pub interior whilst the contemporary rooftop has attractive views and lots of comfortable places to sit. Locally-brewed beers are a speciality here but traditional pub food is also available.
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28-30 John Dalton St, Manchester City Centre
- Website • 016-183 996 24
- Read more on Thatsup