Dogs might be man’s best friend, but anyone who has tried to meet pals for a drink or bite to eat in Manchester will know one thing: dogs remain a no-no for a lot of coffee shops, bars, pubs and restaurants.
There’s evidence that attitudes are changing a little with more places letting well behaved doggies through the doors.
So, we’ve picked out some of our favourites that we hope will help you and your hound have the perfect day - and night - out in town.
HOLD FAST, HILTON STREET
A basement bar (underneath Hatter’s Hostel) isn’t exactly one you’d expect to be dog friendly, but Hold Fast is. It’s also a one of a kind place, with lots of hidey-holes and a cinema room (not for the dogs, that one) and a solid selection of beers on tap. Food is limited to paninis and the like, but it’s worth a visit all the same.
50 Newton Street / 0161 236 9500 / holdfastbar.co.uk / @holdfastbar
THE BAY HORSE, THOMAS STREET
Quaint, quirky and often quieter than you’d expect, The Bay Horse is a great historic little place with a solid bar offer and nice proper pub menu served all day until late. It might be a bit snug for the big dogs, but little dogs will be right at home.
35-37 Thomas Street / 0161 661 1041 / thebayhorsepub.co.uk / @thebayhorsepub
KOFFEE POT, OLDHAM STREET
The old premises of this northern quarter institution were just a bit too snug to have a pro-dogs policy. But in its expansive new premises, at the bottom end of Oldham Street, Koffee Pot has space galore. In response, they’re letting well mannered four-legged friends in to use the booths and high seater tables at the front end of the restaurant.
84-86 Oldham Street / thekoffeepot.co.uk / @thekoffeepot
KOSMONAUT, TARIFF STREET
Continuing our K-theme is Kosmonaut, easily the NQ’s vastest bar with three huge rooms on two levels, where dogs are always allowed in. Late night, after about 9pm, it gets pretty busy and noisy (no place for a dog’s delicate ears), but it’s a great choice as an evening meal option as food is served until 9pm.
10 Tariff Street / kosmonaut.co / @KosmonautMCR
NORTH TEA POWER, TIB STREET
Often talked about as serving the best coffee in Manchester, North Tea Power is uber dog friendly. Not only are they welcome inside - they don’t even mind if the little ones curl up on the bench next to you - but they’ve also got a covered outside area on the rows where anyone conscious of dragging a big dog indoors can grab a cup of Joe in comfort.
36 Tib Street / 0161 833 3073 / northteapower.co.uk / @northteapower
THE MARBLE ARCH, ROCHDALE ROAD
A legendary pub in Manchester, The Marble Arch is an architectural gem, a real ale drinker’s dream and boasts a brilliant kitchen serving the best fish and chips in the city and probably the best cheese selection in the north west! It’s the kind of place where they don’t just bring your dog a bowl of water, the bar staff can’t resist nipping over with a biscuit treat or two.
73 Rochdale Road / 0161 832 5914 / marblebeers.com / @TheMarbleArch
REDBANK CO, GREEN QUARTER
Redbank Co has the benefit of being a good dog walk away from the centre - which is what we’d call killing two birds with one stone. They also have one of the best team of cocktail makers in Manchester, a superb breakfast menu and £1 happy hour pizzas on quiz nights.
22 Redbank, Green Quarter / redbank.co / @RedbankCo
TAKK, TARIFF STREET
One of the NQ’s most popular hangouts for the young and savvy, Takk does everything great: coffee, tea, light continental dining, wifi, seating and cakes - the latter made by Levenshulme’s brilliant Trove bakery. Just don’t leave the chocolate brownie within doggie reach...
6 Tariff Street / takkmcr.com / @takkmcr
BLUU, THOMAS STREET
Following its makeover, Bluu has extended its welcome to dogs, who used to just be permitted in the outdoor seating area. They need to be happy to settle down on the floor - no feet on the furniture, please! - but the staff are very welcoming of this new addition to the customer demographic!
Smithfield Market Buildings, Thomas Street / 0161 839 7195 / bluu.co.uk / @bluumanchester
THE ANGEL, ROCHDALE ROAD
For you and your dog to make the very most of a trip to The Angel, it needs to be cold outside. On chilly days, the staff light the huge real fire and you and your pal can stretch out in front of it to warm up. The Angel’s restaurant is another of its treasures and, while you can’t take dogs upstairs to the main dining room, the pub has a brilliant bar menu of British and pub classics - all of which come out of the same kitchen and are just as tasty.
6 Angel Street, Angel Meadow / 0161 833 4786 / theangelmanchester.com / @TheAngelPub
COMMON, EDGE STREET
This game changer bar closes tonight for three weeks for a huge refurbishment, but there’s no place more democratic than Common and you’ll never be unwelcome with a dog. We anticipate no change to that situation - the owners run The Beagle in Chorlton too, equally dog friendly - even though the refurb is expected to be a massive change of style and scale.
39 Edge Street / 0161 832 9243 / aplacecalledcommon.co.uk / @ common_bar
THE WHARF, CASTLEFIELD
There aren’t that many places on the other side of town where dogs can join in the fun, but Castlefield’s The Wharf is warm and welcoming with dogs permitted in the bar area, where food and drink are served all day.
6 Slate Wharf, Castlefield / 0161 220 2960 / thewharf-castlefield.co.uk / @wharfpub
