The best: Cosy cocktail bars in Manchester this Winter

Take some time out from the hustle and bustle of Manchester by venturing down the steps into this idyllic basement bar which sits in Deansgate’s historic Queens Chambers. This place is a real treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds: the skilled bartenders will have you spellbound as they prepare your favourite beverage – from zesty Mojitos to Old Fashioneds rustic enough to suit the venue’s low-lit interior. No matter what your preferred taste is, there’s something for everyone at Arcane. Prices start at £8.75 per cocktail. 

If you are somebody who prefers something classic, Ancoats bar The Jane Eyre could be the one for you. This popular spot was brought to fruition by two brothers who wanted to honour their mother by creating a warm and welcoming neighbourhood bar. The Jane Eyre offers a small range of classical cocktails, all of which are priced at £8. If you’re a lover of something sweet, then A Port Named Pisco with pineapple and strawberry Pisco could be for you – or, if you prefer something a little different, why not try the Fool’s Gold which infuses sherry, tequila and lime with black walnut, cinnamon and ginger ale? The choice is yours!

While there are a couple of Liquor Store bars around town, their Deansgate spot has a vintage feel to it, with its bare brickwork and old-school Los Angeles signage making you will feel like you’ve been transported from Manchester to somewhere cosy and completely different. To add to this aesthetic, you’ll come face-to-face with some of the finest liquors from around the globe. Go along and revel in the intimate atmosphere and mouth-watering cocktails – there’s a happy hour from 5pm-8pm each day and they even offer cocktail masterclasses for those looking to get a little more hands on. For more information on pricing, please enquire through their official website.

Dusk Til Pawn re-awakens the term speakeasy and brings it back to life. From the outside, this place looks like an old-fashioned pawn shop, with broken guitars and renovated antique televisions in its dark and shady window display – but step inside and you’ll find one of the Northern Quarter’s cosiest cocktail bars. Enter this grade II listed building and you can revel in jukebox music while you wait for your cocktails to arrive – many of which are adorned with fun, quirky extras making them them perfect for a quick Instagram snap. Dusk Til Pawn is the ideal place to sneak off to with your colleagues during a lunch break and while away the afternoon before the weekend arrives.

This place is elegant and understated – a building inspired by the grand hotels of the 1920s. It oozes class and decadence with its outdoor heated terraced, allowing you to enjoy your cocktails while watching the sun go down after a long stressful day at the office. Take a couple of friends and join the Cocktail Club which offers two expertly crafted cocktails for £12 – a deal that’s available every day when ordered before 7pm. Alternatively, you can enjoy a selection of your favourite cocktails – like the Bacardi and passionfruit-infused Trick and Spin It or the rum, peach, mint and Prosecco-filled I’m Crazy Tonight – fresh from the bar from just £7.95.