What better way to enjoy a socially-distant cocktail than 20 floors up looking out over the skyscrapers of Manchester?!
We’ve hand-picked the best rooftop bars for you to enjoy your favourite tipple from a height away from the riff-raff. Cheers!
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The Ivy Spinningfields
Kick it off with a good one shall we!? Massive, eccentric and stunning even if the decor is a bit like a crazy grandma’s house. You know you’re in for a treat.
The Ivy Spinningfields, The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG theivymanchester.com
king street townhouse hotel/Facebook
King St Townhouse
Let’s keep things boujee with a big ol’ swanky hotel, including infinity pool (although that’s not open right now, thanks, COVID). A cracking Instagram picture is guaranteed.
If like me the sound of a three quid pint makes you slowly turn your head, raise your eyebrows and lick your lips – this is the place for you. There’s also a pink room and pizza available but we all know you’re after that New York-style roof terrace. Plenty of live music too, you’re guaranteed a cracking (and messy) night.
Back to the fancy, head 20 floors up and you’re gonna get one of the, if not the best, view of the city. Perfectly Instagrammable you’ll find real trees up there on the 20th floor and plenty of men in blue Ralph Lauren shirts.
We’ll keep it fancy for a bit with Cloud 23. Not technically ON a roof but it’s bloody high so we’re keeping it in this list. If you’ve never been then I’m not sure what you’ve been playing at for all these years. Get up there with a cocktail.
Right back to the pub, a proper boozer and a cracking roof terrace while it’s at it. Also, it’s a corker of a sun trap, if we’re lucky enough to be graced with the sun again this year.
Perhaps you want a burger while you’re slightly off the floor (it’s only one flight up this one) or maybe you’re after those delicious rosemary salt chips – whatever reason you’re in for a good time. Especially when you can see Pedro’s over the road.
You’ve gotta be actually staying at the hotel to be treated with a seat on this rooftop but once you’re up there it’ll be worth it. Put your glad rags on, though, it’s a posh one.
Bit of a newby on the block, BrickHouse Social is tucked away off Oxford Road near Font. They’ve got posh kebabs, pizzas, brunch and of course a fantastic rooftop terrace. Which also has a cover for when it inevitably rains.
BrickHouse Social, 11-13 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP 0161 236 4899 brickhouse.social
G-A-Y Manchester/Facebook
G-A-Y
While there may be a seemingly never-ending amount of outdoor options down in the Village, head straight to G-A-Y rooftop terrace. Now the view has been spoiled by some flats it’s the best spot for people watching.
G-A-Y, 63 Richmond St, Manchester M1 6JB 0161 228 6200
The Deansgate/Facebook
The Deansgate Tavern
A lively spot for a chilled pint and packet of crisps or pork scratchings. If Cloud 23 isn’t your bag, this is the one for you.
The Deansgate Tavern, 321 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ 0161 839 5215 www.thedeansgate.co.uk
Great John Street Hotel/Facebook
Great John Street Hotel
This will have to be one you pop on your to-do list for now as it’s undergoing a massive renovation, which does mean it’ll be all swanky and new for when you do get the chance to have a cocktail some time next year!