It should go without saying that all great cities should have a strong selection of rooftop bars. Luckily, over the last few years Manchester - now officially the 13th best city in the world according to Time Out - has really upped its game.
From ultra-sophisticated terraces with views of the entire skyline, to cosy tucked-away gems with mismatched furniture, there's something for every budget and every taste. With temperatures heating up of the next week, every man and his dog will be looking for somewhere to perch, or just escape the heat of their own home, and the selection below are great places to kick back with a cocktail or a pint.
There are some newcomers to join soon too, including the hotly-anticipated Soho House and its rooftop swimming pool, bar and terrace, plus Gary Neville's Japanese-Peruvian Chotto Matte, which will occupy the spectacular 20,000 sq ft rooftop at the St Michael's development, but in the meantime here are some of the city's best rooftop bars.
Know of one we've missed? Let us know in the comments below.
20 Stories
Manchester's highest bar and restaurant - recently named one of the best in Europe - is a must for the city's most glamorous residents.
From the terrace bar at 20 Stories you can soak in views right across the city centre and all the way to the Peak District, all with a champagne cocktail in hand.
Trees stand two storeys high, with al fresco fireplaces and an outdoor barbecue on site too.
NO. 1, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, M3 3EB | 20stories.co.uk
Terrace
The clue is in the name in this Northern Quarter favourite - and Terrace now has three rooftop terraces to choose from.
They're quirky-cool, with trees growing out of industrial metal planters and empty beer kegs hanging from the walls.
There's a full menu of fruity cocktails and local beers, and, best of all, you can order food from nearby restaurants such as Yard & Coop and Noi Quattro straight to your table.
43 Thomas St, Northern Quarter, M4 1NA | instagram.com/nqterrace
King Street Townhouse
Often named one of the country's most romantic hotels, most people think of the infinity pool when they think of King Street Townhouse.
But there's also a stunning rooftop terrace here, with views of the skyline and heating and a canopy to keep it cosy in all weathers.
There's an extensive wine and cocktail list, plus grazing boards to share.
10 Booth Street, M2 4AW | eclectichotels.co.uk
Big Hands
You won't have far-reaching views from Big Hands, nor will you have any award-winning interior design, but you will find bags of charm and character.
You can go around the world in lagers and pilsners and sit up on the rooftop on this Oxford Road original.
It's always a favourite for a pre- or post-gig pint, if you remember those.
296 Oxford Rd, M13 9NS | instagram.com/bighandsbar
The Ivy
The Ivy's roof garden is one of the most glamorous places in the city, perfect for celeb-watching.
Opulent fabrics, masses of plants and a retractable roof (plus essential heaters) make it an luxurious hangout in all weathers.
You can order from a huge menu of food, including afternoon teas and brunches.
The Pavilion, Byrom St, Spinningfields, M3 3HG | theivymanchester.com/the-ivy-roof-garden
Brickhouse Social
Formerly Black Dog Ballroom's New Wakefield Street branch, the new Brickhouse Social bar offers three floors of food, drink and entertainment.
Its crowning glory is the roof terrace, with a mixture of outdoor and under cover seating.
11-13 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP / brickhouse.social
YES
YES sprawls over several floors, from a ground-floor bar to an entirely pink club room.
They've added a beer garden at ground level now too but the roof terrace - dotted with hanging plants - is our favourite.
They've got house cocktails on tap in the neighbouring attic bar too.
38 Charles St, M1 7DB | yes-manchester.com
El Gato Negro
Award-winning King Street tapas bar El Gato Negro is crowned by a top floor dining room and bar with a retractable roof that peels back on sunny days.
Diners can graze on plates including chargrilled chicken thighs with smoky lemon relish and salsa verde and sea bream with butterbean hummus, fennel, orange and basil, washed down with Spanish wines, sherry, gin and cocktails.
52 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LY | elgatonegrotapas.com
DogHouse - BrewDog
Billed as the north's first craft beer hotel, it's fair to say that the hotel which promised beer fridges in every shower when it opened in August 2021, caused quite a buzz. The work of indie craft brewer BrewDog, the former office building opposite Primark, the hotel is most certainly a beer lovers paradise thanks to its draught beer shower taps and fully-loaded mini bars.
The boozy hotel experience starts from the moment guests arrive - greeted with a free beer on check in by the lobby bartender - and continues all the way up to the rooftop bar, complete with a taco hut and ten taps of beer. Spray-painted above the rooftop bar is: ‘Capital of the North’ - just in case you forgot.
18-20 Fountain St, Manchester M2 2AR / www.brewdog.com
Atlas Bar
Ok, so their beer garden isn't technically a rooftop, but it's suspended in the arches below the roof, and it would be remiss of us to miss it out due to technicalities. Now that's cleared up, a little more about the bar.
Most will be familiar with this Deansgate meets Castlefield spot, but you may not know that is also has over 500 gins on offer, so if that's you tipple of choice, it's well worth a visit.
376 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LY / atlasbarmanchester.com
Honest Burgers
You might be wondering what a burger joint is doing with a rooftop bar, but in the case of Honest Burgers its making the most of the space - the former Garage bar site. Located on Bridge Street and counting Dishoom and Crazy Pedro's as neighbours, the restaurant's jewel in the crown is its terrace, which features long benches, retracting awning and patio heaters.
Beef comes from the Honest Butchery and is served pink unless requested otherwise. The basic beef burger costs £10, ranging up to £14.75 for the Bacon Plant, a vegan beyond meat burger with vegan bacon, Applewood cheese and shoestring fries. Parched? Grab a Burger Beer - brewed especially for Honest Burgers in collaboration with Laine Brew Co, Brighton.
36 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT / www.honestburgers.co.uk
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