5 Drinking Dens to Discover in Manchester City Centre

Manchester is a city of subterranean spaces, eerie alcoves and voluminous views – some of which can be incorporated into drinking experiences that are sure to be memorable. Forget regular roadside venues and embrace the unusual.

From bold boozers and buildings of historical interest, to fully styled art-deco venues with menus to match. Here are HAUNT’s suggestions for a high-intensity tipple or two:

Hold Fast Bar

50 Newton St, Manchester M1 2EA

Taking its name from the phrase ‘Hold fast’ which was a common term used amongst sailing communities. The phrase refers to the Dutch “hou’ vast”, which is also the origin of the term “Avast” and it means “STOP!”. Deckhands frequently got this tattoo in the hope it would give them a better grip over the ropes used to stop and control their ships. It also refers to the biological structure that anchors seaweed to rocks or the underside of ships.

Located on the corner of Newton St and Hilton St in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, this subterranean drinking den stays true to its nautical theme and is inspired by the tales of Jules Verne whose most famous novels include Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873).

Fully equipped with its own cinema room, a vintage games corner including an N64, Sega Mega Drive and an assortment of board games – this is certainly a fun venue. There is also a DJ booth and dancefloor for busy weekends, making it a deep-sea drinking den taking you back in history and below-deck, but with all the best aspects of modern life still intact.

This bar stocks the usual favourites, plus craft beers and an assortment of themed cocktails. Worth a try is the ‘Save Our Souls’ cocktail from the Admiral’s Cabinet: Jameson’s whisky, limoncello, cherry mariner, apple juice, lemon and egg white. A couple of these and you’ll definitely be feeling your sea-legs.

The Brink

65 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BQ

A self-described 'dinky drinkery' beneath 65 Bridge Street, this is a subterranean bar specialising in local craft ale – all sourced within 25 miles of St Ann's Church. This includes at least nine beers from local microbreweries on the bar: with the likes of Runaway and Beatnikz having made an appearance. There are also bottled options in the fridge, plus a range of ciders.

Once a derelict basement, the transformation to a drinking den has been remarkable. This is a small space but with plenty of warmth – and it is much loved too. It has won awards including Manchester Central CAMRA Pub Of The Year, both for 2017 and 2018. And don't worry if you aren't a pint drinker, as there also is a selection of wines and spirits. Pushing yourself to The Brink is worth it, in this context anyway.

The Gas Lamp

50A Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BW

Situated in the basement of Wood St Mission on Bridge St by the River Irwell, this little bar has a rich history. When it was first founded by Alfred Alsop in 1879, Deansgate was a very different place to what we know it to be now. Families often lived in slum-standard housing, and both adults and children worked in the factories and mills, which covered the city in a layer of smog and soot. Many were unable to secure employment, and those who did were often paid a pitifully small wage.  This is where the Mission came in, as it served hundreds of meals a day to ensure the local people didn’t go hungry. The Wood St Mission is still in operation and helps over 10,000 people every year.

Whilst slightly different in surroundings and nature from what it was 150 years ago, The Gaslamp underneath is a bustling, friendly bar serving a wide range of drinks in its tiled Victorian underground surroundings to ensure nobody goes thirsty.

 With a massive range of cask ales, craft beers (on a huge board to pick from), and premium whiskey and gins, this little bar offers something for everyone. A recommendation for the beer drinkers is the Track & Garage Venga Pale Ale: super drinkable with gentle citrus overtones and a crisp light body.

Cane and Grain – Science and Industry Bar

49 – 51 Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1NA

Hidden behind a crate-covered secret door, the Science and Industry bar is what you’ll find if you venture up the stairs at Cain and Grain in the Northern Quarter.

Aptly named, the bar features a laboratory bar set-up adorned with Manchester worker bee wallpaper and sleek wood panelling. The unique bar aims to celebrate the vital contribution Manchester has made towards science and industry throughout history. Remaining true in ethos too, many members of staff have undertaken tutoring by the University of Manchester chemistry department in order to make their cocktails the finest throughout the city.

From an innovative and cutting-edge menu, you can choose between a variety of chemical cocktail creations straight to your table. Strokes of creative genius from mixologist, Massimo Zitti, include delicious concoctions featuring dry ice, foams and even edible perfume.

You can even book your own cocktail masterclass and learn about the history of your favourite cocktails as well as invent your own tasty creations. Cain and Grain also host live blues music every Sunday to give the perfect musical accompaniment to sip your drink to.

Circus Tavern

86 Portland St, Manchester M1 4GX

Proudly advertising itself as the smallest bar in Europe with 'the biggest welcome in the world', the Circus Tavern boasts a mere 500 square foot bar, complete with two small sitting rooms. Without even enough room for both men and women’s toilets, ladies visiting this little pub go outside when nature calls to an old air raid shelter turned bathroom at the back of the pub.

Originally a house from 1790, the brewery took over the building in 1842, naming their pub after the circus that used to take place in the city centre. It is considered by CAMRA to be one of the Top Ten Real Heritage Pubs in the UK. A grade II listed building, it still retains many original features including wooden panelling and fireplaces. Considering its international and historical significance, it’s not uncommon to see visitors to the city posing for photos outside before going in for a drink.

Filling quickly beyond its 45-person capacity on match days, this pub is also filled with football paraphernalia and pictures of footballers who used to frequent the pub, including George Best.

By Lucy Simpson