18 February 2025

Read our rundown of the best bars for after work drinks in Manchester after a day at the office, all located near the city’s busiest business districts.

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Best Bars For After Work Drinks In Manchester

If there’s one thing that makes a day at the office worth it, it’s heading out for a few after-work drinks. Manchester has some of the finest watering holes around, not to mention lots of serviced offices and coworking spaces, full of other professionals to catch up with. With cosy pubs, new cocktail bars and waterfront spots, you’ll be spoilt for choice with where to go for drinks in Manchester once you’ve closed your laptop. With so many great areas to explore, this guide will take you through some of Manchester’s busiest commercial districts and fill you in on where to spend your evening when you’ve finished closing deals and planning your next exciting launch.

Where to go for drinks in Manchester after work

No matter where you work in the city, you’ll only ever be a few minutes from a decent tavern or upmarket wine bar. We’ve looked at some of the most sought-after office locations in Manchester that are also close to some of the best bars in Manchester so you can plan your next out-of-office tipple:

Best Bars in Ancoats for Post-Work Drinks

Ancoats is well-known for its edgy yet relaxed atmosphere, with an eclectic and industrial feel that lends itself well to creative companies and freelancers. Colony offices in Ancoats are home to many of the city’s brightest new businesses and entrepreneurs, taking up residence in our floating desk areas or private offices. You'll find many of them having a tête-à-tête after hours in one of the Ancoats bars near Cutting Room Square.

1. Crown and Kettle

Try the historic Crown and Kettle for Edwardian beauty and a good pint. You can even try before you buy if you’re unsure what you’re in the mood for. Think: classic old school boozer set in beautiful surroundings, with a good dose of chatter.

• Crown and Kettle is located at 2 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5FE. Opening hours are Monday - Thursday 12pm-11pm, Friday & Saturday 12pm-12am and Sunday 11am - 11pm

2. Seven Brothers Brewery

Carrying on with the beer theme, Seven Brothers Brewery is an Ancoats hero, serving craft beers, refreshing lagers and robust ales, for a refreshing antidote to a long day.

• Seven Brothers is located at 39 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AF. Opening hours vary across the week between 12pm and 12am.

3. The Wayfarer

The Wayfarer combines a quintessential pub feel with a few trendy touches that make it appeal to every kind of after-work drinker. It’s also right between Ancoats and The Northern Quarter which is arguably the holy grail of locations for a Manchester post-work drinks joint.

• The Wayfarer is located at 1-3 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JN. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 12pm-12am and Friday to Sunday 12pm-2am.

Best Bars in The Northern Quarter for Post-Work Drinks

The Northern Quarter is chock full of some of the best bars in Manchester. It’s an eclectic neighbourhood with a workforce and nightlife to match.

1. The Daisy

Kickstart your evening with a trip to The Daisy; this newer Northern Quarter addition is a laidback basement bar with an unusual cocktail menu and comfortable seating.

• The Daisy is located at 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1NB. Opening hours are Thursday to Sunday with various hours each day, and closed Monday to Wednesday.

2. Wolf At The Door

If you get peckish, Wolf At The Door has got you covered for irresistible but easy food to go with your after work drinks. Manchester workers can make the most of £2 bao buns and a selection of natural wines, killer cocktails and craft beers.

• Wolf At The Door is located at 30-32 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1ER. Opening hours vary across the week between 12pm-2am.

3. Terrace NQ

For anyone wanting to make a night of it, Terrace NQ is one of the best bars in Manchester for classic RnB jams with a side of bare brick-warehouse chic.

• Terrace NQ is located at 43 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA. Opening hours are Sunday to Wednesday 12pm-1am, Thursday 12pm-2am, and Friday and Saturday 12pm-2am.

4. Night & Day Cafe

Night & Day Cafe is not so much a bar as a Manchester landmark. This original Northern Quarter establishment opened in 1991 and is an institution for the post-work crowd who like their drinks punctuated by live music from eclectic artists and DJs.

• Night & Day is located at 26 Oldham Street, M1 1JN. Opening hours vary across the week, closing at 4am on weekends.

Best Bars in Spring Gardens for Post-Work Drinks

Spring Gardens is soon to join the Colony family, so we’re especially excited about exploring some of the local drinking establishments here. There’s a little less of the usual city noise with several well-established corporations settling in the area.

1. Dog House

After a day of meetings, head to Dog House, a BrewDog hotel and bar with plenty of drinks offers and a roof terrace for when the sun shines.

• Dog House is located at 18-20 Fountain St, Manchester M2 2AR. Opening hours vary from 7am to 1am across the week.

2. Flight Club

If you’re looking for where to go for drinks in Manchester to get the whole team together, Flight Club is an ever-popular Spring Gardens destination. Pick your teams, load up the board and enjoy a few lighthearted games of darts while you sup.

• Flight Club is located at Ship Canal House, 98 King St, Manchester M2 4WU. Opening hours vary across the week between 11am to 2am.

3. Blinker

Blinker is a must for cocktail lovers. Their menus change monthly according to seasonal ingredients and flavours, so you’ll never tire of nipping here after the office. It’s achingly cool but pleasingly friendly, with smiley servers and cheese toasties aplenty.

• Blinker is located at 64-72 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ. Opening hours vary across the week between 2pm to 12.30am, and it is closed on Mondays.

Best Bars in Piccadilly for Post-Work Drinks

Although perhaps most talked about when moaning about the commute or getting to platform 14, Manchester Piccadilly has become as much of a business centre as anywhere else in the city; not least because working in Piccadilly means you aren’t walking miles across town to get to your managed office from your train. It’s also got a fun bar scene with large warehouse-style spaces providing ample room for you, your workmates and your laptop bag.

1. Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse is one such bar, with a huge open plan set-up and roomy reception area. Take a seat on one of the leather sofas and gather round as you unwind at the end of the day.

• Ducie Street Warehouse is located at Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8am-10.30pm, Friday and Saturday 8am-12am, and Sunday 8am-10pm.

2. Kampus

To keep everybody happy, Kampus is a no-brainer. Not strictly a bar, Kampus is almost a tiny village in itself with pop-up bars, resident restaurants and a busy calendar of events. The on-site apartments are perfect for anyone living, working and socialising in the city too.

• Kampus is located at Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL. Opening hours vary across the week and per vendor.

3. Freight Island

Of course, you can’t mention the best bars in Piccadilly without a nod to Freight Island. The food and drink powerhouse combines industrial containers, a stunning selection of street-style vendors and pour-your-own Guinness taps; what more could you want after a hard day's work?

• Freight Island is located in Depot Mayfield, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ. Opening hours are Thursday to Sunday with various hours on each day. Freight Island is closed Monday to Wednesday.

Best Bars in Spinningfields for Post-Work Drinks

Spinningfields is the heart of Manchester’s business district, with many finance, legal and media companies calling it home.

1. The Alchemist

It’s also a fantastic post-work spot for those who like a little bit of mixology, with Spinningfields OG cocktail bar The Alchemist going strong since 2010. The bubble cocktail is a frivolous rite of passage.

• The Alchemist is located at 3 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3HF. Opening hours vary across the week between 10am til 2am.

2. Oast House

For any discerning professional having after work drinks, Manchester is also home to Spinningfields’ favourite pub, The Oast House. There’s usually live music and the outdoor teepee is a nice touch. Easily one of the friendliest and best bars in Manchester, you’ll be hard-pressed to turn down an invite.

• The Oast House is located at The Avenue, Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY. Opening hours are Sunday and Monday 11am-11pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 11am-12am, and Thursday to Saturday 11am-1am.

3. Blues Kitchen

To inject a little bit of soul into your after-work catch ups, make your way to the Blues Kitchen. There’s a regular roster of live singers, £6 cocktails on Wednesdays, and a mouthwatering menu whether you want nibbles or a belly-busting main.

• The Blues Kitchen is located at 13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN. Opening hours are Sunday to Wednesday 12pm-12am, Thursday and Friday 12pm-2am, and Saturday 12pm-3am.

Best Bars in New Islington for Post-Work Drinks

A little way across the border of Manchester and Salford is New Islington. This up-and-coming business district has open spaces and a picturesque waterfront. If you’ve not yet visited then it’s worth a visit to discover the selection of vibrant bars plus the many other things to do in New Islington.

1. Cask

When the only item left on your agenda is after work drinks, Manchester workers in New Islington can grab a beverage in Cask, a self-described ‘beer lovers’ haven by the water’. There’s no kitchen, so they’ll also let you order a takeaway. What more could you ask for?!

• Cask is located at Cottonfield Wharf, 2 New Union Street, New Islington Marina, M4 6FQ. Opening hours are Sunday to Wednesday 12pm-10pm, Thursday 12pm-11pm, and Friday and Saturday 12pm-11.30pm.

2. Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers is another New Islington gem. Serving next-level cocktails with a view of the marina, it’s an elegant after-work option that's also worth a weekend visit if you get the chance.

• Finders Keepers is located at 7 Keepers Quay, Manchester M4 6GL. Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday at various times between 12pm-12am, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Why after work drinks in Manchester are a must

After-work drinks aren’t just a way to let off steam, they’re arguably an integral part of the working week. For businesses, encouraging employees to chat and bond without the use of online apps and productivity trackers can be more effective than any enforced team building trip. Colleagues shooting the breeze will get to know each other far better, creating a more fluid atmosphere in the office and making it easier to share ideas or tackle tricky conversations.

For freelancers, remote workers or start-ups, getting out and meeting new people is the number one reason for after work drinks. Manchester has loads of brilliant networking events to bring people together outside of the 9-5, but if you’re after something more organic or just want to meet up with friends, post-work drinks are the answer.

Office spaces almost as good as after-work drinks

There’s nothing quite like a thirst quencher when you’ve been busy all day, but working in a flexible office space with everything you could ever need and beautiful interiors helps. Colony has multiple locations all across Manchester, and a selection of membership options to suit all kinds of workers. Discover what it’s like to enjoy the 9-5 just as much as the post-work pub trip by talking to Colony today.