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 In Manchester For After Work Drinks

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 so many great areas to explore, this guide will take you through some of the busiest commercial districts, and where to drink in Manchester after a day of hard work and closing deals.

Where To Drink in Manchester After Work

We’ve looked at some of the most sought-after office locations in the city 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. 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. Kerb

Kerb is a bar, store and dog-friendly hangout that serves and sells natural wine, a selection of beers and ciders, and low-alcohol options. There are monthly events for you to mingle with other wine connoisseurs, as well as a collection of interesting artworks adorning the walls to kickstart any conversations.

• Kerb is located at 4 Henry St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5DD. Opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday 3pm-10.30pm and Friday and Saturday 1pm-10.30pm

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.

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. To Be Frank

A recent addition, To Be Frank is an open and airy spot that’s got plenty of booth and bar-style seating for friends and colleagues to gather round. Live bands are a frequent feature, as are decent craft beers and handcrafted cocktails. Head here for a loft-like bar experience to take you from early evening into night time.

• To Be Frank is located at 10 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1JF. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 12pm ‘til 2pm.

2. The Freemount

Manchester’s legendary Freemount pub has moved to much bigger premises after outgrowing their original site. Live music every night, a welcoming crowd and a huge line-up of beers, wines, and cocktails make this place a firm favourite with locals, tourists and the after-work crowd.

• The Freemount can be found at 28-30 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN. Opening hours vary throughout the week, from 12pm to 4am.

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 has a little less of the usual city noise with several well-established corporations settling in the area. It’s also a stones throw from King Street, if you have friends working nearby.

1. Speak In Code

If you like your cocktails with an artisan twist, Speak in Code is for you. Everything is made in-house (where possible) and there’s a delicious line-up of small plates if you’re peckish. The intimate ambience makes this a good spot for a small group or anyone enjoying a date night straight from the office.

• Speak In Code is on 7 Jackson's Row, Manchester M2 5ND. Opening hours are 5pm-12am every night except Friday and Saturday, when it opens until 2am.

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

There are lots of perks to working in Piccadilly - not walking miles from the train station to get to your managed office being one of them. 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. The Whiskey Jar

Small but perfectly formed, The Whiskey Jar has been open since 2013 and is a consistent hit with anyone living or working near Piccadilly. Discover open mic nights, whiskey tasting events and a roster of live music acts to help you unwind after a day at the coalface.

• The Whiskey Jar can be found on 14 Tariff Street, Manchester, M1 2FF. Opening times vary across the week starting at 12pm and closing at 2am at weekends.

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. Schofields

Based in one of the most iconic buildings in Manchester, Schofields is an award-winning venue, and so is understandably heralded as one of the best bars in Manchester. There’s a strict policy on only allowing groups of six or less in, so it’s best for small office gatherings or business dinners. This is one for a more decadent after-work drink, but definitely deserves a visit.

• Schofields is located at Sunlight House, 3 Little Quay St, Manchester M3 3JZ. Opening hours are 12.30pm-1.30am daily excluding Mondays.

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. Colleagues shooting the breeze can get to know each other properly, 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, 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.