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The 10 Spots for the Best Guinness in Manchester – That Are Poured to Perfection!
There’s something brilliant about Guinness that just hits the right spots. Its distinct flavour of malty and roasty goodness can sort out any bad mood in an instant! You know the feeling, right?
But seeing as we’re not in Ireland, finding a proper pint can get tough. And frankly, after loads of pub visits, we found out that not all Guinness are created equal. It’s a bit odd, but what can we do?
The only solution is to march all over and drink to our belly’s content to find the best Guinness in Manchester that tastes exactly the right way – creamy, smooth, and sweet with a hint of bitterness. Time to get the pints in!
Mulligans of Deansgate
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Address: 12 Southgate
Contact: 0161 832 9233, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Wednesday: 11 am – 12 am
- Thursday: 11 am – 1 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 2 am
Pricing: £££
Website
If you’ve visited your fair share of bars in Manchester, then you’ll know that Mulligans makes one of THE best-tasting Guinness in Deansgate. It is an authentic Irish pub, after all, so you know they’re serving the best pint here!
The venue does have a good Irish pub feel—the dark wooden interiors, homey environment for all (legal) ages, and good craic. It’s all about good conversation, camaraderie, and great Guinness!
It’s not the cheapest place to grab a pint, though, but it’s absolutely smashing. So that’s basically more affordable than a trip to Ireland for a glass of beer.
Pro Tip:
It’s fairly known that Mulligans get busy! Avoid weekends and after-work hours to find a seat.
Peveril of the Peak
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Address: 127 Great Bridgewater St
Contact: 0161 236 6364
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm
Pricing: £
The unique green and yellow building of Peveril of the Peak is overflowing with history (it was a brothel used by GIs during World War II). But it’s highly respected in the pub world, where the vibe is unpretentious and it’s simply all about wicked beer.
Even before coming in, you can tell this is an old-fashioned pub. It doesn’t rely on viral videos and influencers, but instead, it has gained a loyal audience who have been coming back for years and new guests through word of mouth.
It’s a traditional spot for a tipple that has a lot of character. You can enjoy playing pool with your mates, singing along to classic jukebox tunes, and a good banter with fellow aficionados of real ale, aka great Guinness.
Pro Tip:
Avoid peak hours because the pub can get very busy and full.
The Bay Horse Tavern
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Address: 35 – 37 Thomas St
Contact: 0161 669 5799, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Friday: 12 am – 2 am
- Saturday: 11 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 10 pm
Of course, the Northern Quarter is home to some of the best pints of Guinness in Manchester. The Bay Horse Tavern offers exactly that with some extras, like bottomless brunch!
The Guinness here comes in a keg, offering a more traditional pub experience where your glass will have a creamy head. It’s best paired with beer-battered fish and chips—the classic way to go!
The atmosphere won’t disappoint too! It offers a cosy and relaxing experience, but with an interior that has loads of personality. It feels like drinking in a Victorian pub but with a modern twist.
Pro Tip:
If you’re coming in on a Sunday, swing by early to get a table because many pop in here for Sunday Roast!
O’Sheas Irish Bar
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Address: 80 Princess St
Contact: 0161 236 3906
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
Pricing: ££
Website
Food Menu, Drinks Menu
Not to sound redundant, but O’Sheas Irish Bar is a proper Irish bar. It’s the spot where the bartenders know how to pour Guinness correctly for that thick and creamy texture.
And aside from the classic stout, you can try Guinness West Indies for a bitter drink with caramel notes. There’s also an ace selection of Irish drinks that’ll hit the mark!
The bar even has a modern vibe, well-suited for popping in for gigs (yes, there’s live music) or a place to watch football (bars and sports go well together, after all). It’s always a brilliant place to hang out, overall, without worrying about pretentiousness.
Pro Tip:
On game days, expect the bar to get busy. Pop over early before the game starts to get a table.
Castle Hotel
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Address: 66 Oldham St
Contact: 0161 237 9485, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 1 am
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 2 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 12 am
Pricing: ££
Website
Enjoying a great pint of Guinness doesn’t only have to be about the beer. At the Castle Hotel in the Northern Quarter, you’ll be enjoying good conversation, great atmosphere, and an even greater drinking experience.
It’s not your usual chat-and-cheers pub—it’s more of a lively and creative spot right in the heart of the live music scene in Manchester. Aside from a good selection of cask ales that aren’t artificially carbonated, you’ll also enjoy fruity options.
Plus, this will give you the proper English pub experience with the very British decor, intimate atmosphere, and no-nonsense vibe. Of course, the live music sounds better with a pint of Guinness in hand.
Pro Tip:
Check the events calendar on the website so you’ll know the days with live music or without. There’s a long line of events here, even on weekdays.
The Station
Media credit: thestationpubdidsbury
Address: 682 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury
Contact: 0161 215 2440, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 10 am – 12 am
- Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 1 am
Pricing: £
Website
Pop over to The Station for its absolutely banging Guinness outside of Ireland! It’s thick, creamy, and smooth, exactly the way this pint of gat is made to be. It’s served with the perfect temperature—not too cold—for the perfect drinking experience.
Swinging by is best when you’re doing it with your mates. The pub is all about Gaelic football, bringing in a lot of wicked energy for casual hanging out.
You’ll also be enjoying live music three nights a week, and that sometimes includes Irish music. The touch of Irish experience certainly adds to the charm!
Pro Tip:
It’s best to visit after dinner since this isn’t the place for a proper meal. It’s more of a drinks-and-chats kind of pub.
Duffy’s Bar
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Address: 398 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Contact: 0161 881 6789
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 2 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 1 pm – 12:30 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 12:30 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 11 am
Pricing: £
Website
Nothing beats the warm atmosphere of Duffy’s Bar in Chorlton. It’s a humble, friendly spot that brings out an Irish bar experience. Of course, that includes a delicious pint of Guinness served the Irish way, with the right creamy head.
Weekend nights are particularly lively, though. End-of-the-month nights are also buzzing with good craic! Expect to see loads of people standing up and singing along to live music.
It definitely lives up to its reputation of having one of the best Guinness around. There’s cask ale and can, as well as non-alcoholic bevvies for your sober mates—there are loads of options here!
Pro Tip:
Duffy’s Bar is dog-friendly, but on busy days when the pub is full, it’s best to swing by another day if you’re with your furry companion. It doesn’t have the biggest space and it can get loud.
The Millstone
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Address: 67 Thomas St
Contact: 0161 839 0213
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 10 am – 10:30 pm
Pricing: ££
Website
Not only is there brilliantly delicious Guinness in The Millstone, but it also serves traditional pub culture to the table. When you’re in a bit of a state, popping in will fix you up!
The community feel, social interaction, karaoke with locals, and great beer make this a proper pub for a cracking time! The warm and friendly atmosphere is one of the reasons this made it to our list (aside from delicious pints of Guinness).
The traditional ales also deserve the spotlight, as they’re naturally carbonated, bringing out the balanced flavours of roasted malt and the sweetness of Guinness. Good vibes and Guinness? That’s a cracking combination!
Pro Tip:
Karaoke’s usually in full swing. If that’s not your thing, visit early and avoid late afternoons and evenings.
Fibber Magee’s Irish Pub
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Address: 162 Northenden Rd, Sale
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 4 pm – 11 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 1 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm
A perfectly poured Guinness in hand while sat down in an Irish pub only means a cracking good finish to the end of the week. Located in Sale Moor Village, Fibber’s Magee’s Irish Pub is a traditional and authentic spot to set off to!
That is, if you want a glass of the good stuff! The thick, creamy froth is never absent with every pour, just the way it should be! There’s no food menu yet, but it’s coming soon, so watch out for fish and chips to pair with your rich, malty pint of beer.
The bar’s also very straightforward—no fuss, just pure craic and good beer. It has a neighbourhood feel but isn’t intimidating, even if you’re not from the area. The classic Irish decor adds to the friendliness of the overall vibe!
Pro Tip:
Visit on a Sunday for trad music or on Wednesday for pub quiz night!
Kennedy’s Irish Bar
Media credit: kennedysaltrincham
Address: 30 – 32 Greenwood St, Altrincham
Contact: 0161 399 4585, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 3 pm – 11 pm
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Thursday: 11 am – 12 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
We’re sort of cheating here because Kennedy’s Irish Bar is located in Altrincham, a 40-minute drive from the city centre. But we can say 100% that it’s worth it for a dark, frothy, smooth pint of Guinness—a completely, utterly good drink.
And it’s a proper Irish bar, too! This friendly spot offers only good beer and craic, the two things you want in a bar (absolutely no bad vibes!). It also has indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for any kind of weather.
Every day is an absolute treat with the weekly deals. You can get a pint for only £4.80 or you can have six Baby Guinness for only £20! In this economy, we’re grabbing the deals!
Weekends are the best, though. Performers will sing live at the bar, with a variety of music genres, including Irish songs, of course.
Pro Tip:
If you want to eat and drink, visit from Friday to Sunday, when the kitchen’s open. You have to try the chicken wings, but they’re not available on Sundays.
