Secret Bars of Manchester
Secret Bars
one eight six. Underneath a barber shop, apparent only to those in the know, One Eight Six conceals a hidden cocktail club and a music venue that boasts live performers seven days a week. If they ask you if you have a booking, you do ;)
186 Deansgate
186 Deansgateone eight six. Underneath a barber shop, apparent only to those in the know, One Eight Six conceals a hidden cocktail club and a music venue that boasts live performers seven days a week. If they ask you if you have a booking, you do ;)
The Washouse. Hidden inside a laundrette, a cocktail bar for serious drinks. Rock up call ahead and state your washing requirements. Track down their website for more info.
19 Shudehill
19 ShudehillThe Washouse. Hidden inside a laundrette, a cocktail bar for serious drinks. Rock up call ahead and state your washing requirements. Track down their website for more info.
Science + Industry. Find the bar, Cane and Grain, walk inside turn immediately left and discover the hidden entrance, upstairs to a speakeasy for only those in the know. Sneak on up and make sure nobody sees you. Great food and great service.
51 Thomas St
51 Thomas StreetScience + Industry. Find the bar, Cane and Grain, walk inside turn immediately left and discover the hidden entrance, upstairs to a speakeasy for only those in the know. Sneak on up and make sure nobody sees you. Great food and great service.
17 Below, the hidden gem of arcade game wonder. Head down to the basement for pool and retro gaming.
17 Bow Ln
17 Bow Lane17 Below, the hidden gem of arcade game wonder. Head down to the basement for pool and retro gaming.
Convenience Store. From the outside looks and be deceiving. Behind the corner shop facade lies an awesome little secret cocktail bar.
100 High St
100 High StreetConvenience Store. From the outside looks and be deceiving. Behind the corner shop facade lies an awesome little secret cocktail bar.
The Temple. Hidden in a repurposed underground Victorian public toilet, offering a great global beer selection and a jukebox.
100 Great Bridgewater St
100 Great Bridgewater StreetThe Temple. Hidden in a repurposed underground Victorian public toilet, offering a great global beer selection and a jukebox.
The Daisy. For this one the address is less relevant, and you need to use your initiative to find Evelyn's cafe and find the door going down into the basement. Hidden beneath Evelyn's is a private members club with a cheeky secret. This plush and sexy haven is great for coffees and co-working in the day, but by night the cocktails and music come out to play. To get in? You need to submit an application – via Instagram.
18 Tib St
18 Tib StreetThe Daisy. For this one the address is less relevant, and you need to use your initiative to find Evelyn's cafe and find the door going down into the basement. Hidden beneath Evelyn's is a private members club with a cheeky secret. This plush and sexy haven is great for coffees and co-working in the day, but by night the cocktails and music come out to play. To get in? You need to submit an application – via Instagram.
Behind Closed Doors. Basement tavern with a speakeasy vibe and vintage erotica, speciality spirits and DJ nights.
93 Oldham St
93 Oldham StreetBehind Closed Doors. Basement tavern with a speakeasy vibe and vintage erotica, speciality spirits and DJ nights.
NQ64. This time the map listing will be way off. Go round the back of Afflecks Palace, past crazy Pedro's and down the end of the alleyway you'll find it. A video game paradise of retro goodness. download yourself some vintage gaming action while you sip on expertly crafted cocktails.
52 Church St
52 Church StreetNQ64. This time the map listing will be way off. Go round the back of Afflecks Palace, past crazy Pedro's and down the end of the alleyway you'll find it. A video game paradise of retro goodness. download yourself some vintage gaming action while you sip on expertly crafted cocktails.
52 Church St
52 Church StreetSpeak In Code. A cafe by day and a cool jazz bar by night, Speak in Code might not classify itself as secret, but it's pretty darn hard to find. Tucked away on Jackson's Row, this spot brings you vegan eats, craft drinks and live music five nights of the week.
7 Jackson's Row
Speak In Code. A cafe by day and a cool jazz bar by night, Speak in Code might not classify itself as secret, but it's pretty darn hard to find. Tucked away on Jackson's Row, this spot brings you vegan eats, craft drinks and live music five nights of the week.
The Blind Tyger. Accessed via a secret door in Sandinista, locate the buzzer and a door will pop open allowing you to make the descent into this hidden drinking den filled with leather booths, dark panelling and curiosity cabinets filled with period memorabilia. Each cocktail is inspired by a piece of history from the 19th century. They also offer a unique selection of gin flights – something we’ve not seen elsewhere in the city.
Old Bank Chambers
2 Old Bank StreetThe Blind Tyger. Accessed via a secret door in Sandinista, locate the buzzer and a door will pop open allowing you to make the descent into this hidden drinking den filled with leather booths, dark panelling and curiosity cabinets filled with period memorabilia. Each cocktail is inspired by a piece of history from the 19th century. They also offer a unique selection of gin flights – something we’ve not seen elsewhere in the city.
1837. Not secret but definitely hidden, 1837 can be found sequestered in the basement of Corn Exchange steak restaurant Alston Bar & Beef. Speakeasy in style, there are over 60 gins to be tried on the back bar plus a list of classic and bespoke cocktails. Alston makes its own cold compound gin infusions in house, and this really is the house speciality. There’s wine and beer, too, if you don’t feel like getting ginny with it though.
Cathedral Street
Cathedral Street1837. Not secret but definitely hidden, 1837 can be found sequestered in the basement of Corn Exchange steak restaurant Alston Bar & Beef. Speakeasy in style, there are over 60 gins to be tried on the back bar plus a list of classic and bespoke cocktails. Alston makes its own cold compound gin infusions in house, and this really is the house speciality. There’s wine and beer, too, if you don’t feel like getting ginny with it though.
To find the entrance look out for the nondescript “goods entrance” sign tucked away discreetly down a Manchester side street. Once inside, drink in the oh-so-shiny black tiling and ornate bar whilst enjoying unassuming table service and intelligently made cocktails. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for their fernet branca espresso martini – the best we’ve had in the city.
39 S King St
39 South King StreetTo find the entrance look out for the nondescript “goods entrance” sign tucked away discreetly down a Manchester side street. Once inside, drink in the oh-so-shiny black tiling and ornate bar whilst enjoying unassuming table service and intelligently made cocktails. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for their fernet branca espresso martini – the best we’ve had in the city.
Arcane. Hiding up a little backstreet just off Deansgate, from the outside you’d be forgiven for thinking this was an antique bookshop of some description. Step inside and descend the stairs, though, and you’ll find a cosy little underground speakeasy. Dark and intimate, it’s a wonderful spot for a date night. Make sure to check out their cocktail specials board to discover the latest concoctions the bar team is working on.
South King Street
South King StreetArcane. Hiding up a little backstreet just off Deansgate, from the outside you’d be forgiven for thinking this was an antique bookshop of some description. Step inside and descend the stairs, though, and you’ll find a cosy little underground speakeasy. Dark and intimate, it’s a wonderful spot for a date night. Make sure to check out their cocktail specials board to discover the latest concoctions the bar team is working on.
Corbiers. Less of a secret, more of a hidden gem. This is one of Manchester’s best-loved hidden bars, you’ll find Corbieres discreetly located down an access-only side street near St Ann’s Square. Descend the stairs and you’ll enter a cavernous drinking den filled with oak barrels, a cave-like roof and one of the best jukeboxes in Manchester. It’s one of the most notorious drinking dens in the city for a reason
2 Half Moon St
2 Half Moon StreetCorbiers. Less of a secret, more of a hidden gem. This is one of Manchester’s best-loved hidden bars, you’ll find Corbieres discreetly located down an access-only side street near St Ann’s Square. Descend the stairs and you’ll enter a cavernous drinking den filled with oak barrels, a cave-like roof and one of the best jukeboxes in Manchester. It’s one of the most notorious drinking dens in the city for a reason