Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Manchester/Greater Manchester

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Manchester/Greater Manchester? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

SCHOFIELD'S BAR

4.8

4.8 (189)

£26 to £40

Cocktail Bar

Manchester

About the restaurant

The SCHOFIELD'S BAR story
With over 25 years of experience collectively, bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield always had a vision to return to their home city of Manchester to open their eponymous venue;
SCHOFIELD’S BAR.

SCHOFIELD’S BAR graces the corner of Sunlight House, one of the most iconic buildings in the north of England.

The art deco masterpiece of architect Joseph Sunlight was the tallest building in Manchester upon completion during the 1930s, a decade of great importance for cocktail culture. An era of grand and luxurious bars, known for their hospitality and classic cocktails.

Please note that we are only able to accept a handful of reservations each day as we are a walk-in led venue so please do not be put off visiting us if you are unable to reserve. All reservations are only guaranteed 2 hours at the table.

Top review

James

Dined 6 days ago

A quality experience. A genuine greeting at the door. Attention to detail. Great service. Heavy tables that aren't going to knock easily. Disney jazz in the toilets. I had a Penicillin, its was excellent. I then had a Manhattan, couldn't resist the barrel pick Makers Mark, and the balance within the drink was outstanding. The rest of my group were also suitably impressed. Cant wait to come back.

The Blues Kitchen - Manchester

4.7

4.7 (2836)

£25 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

American Grill cooking served in a warm and vibrant dining room.

Top review

Rhianna

Dined 3 days ago

lovely food and lovely staff. Thank you very much for accommodating a big group :)

STERLING BAR

4.7

4.7 (217)

£26 to £40

Cocktail Bar

Manchester

About the restaurant

STERLING is a luxurious bar located underneath the historic Stock Exchange Hotel.

You can expect Live Music at Weekends, Vintage Spirits, Rare Wine and elegant Cocktails all served alongside Bar Snacks.

Please note that we only accept a certain amount of reservations each day, as we leave a lot of tables for walk-ins, so please do not be put off visiting us if you are unable to reserve.

We have a 15 minute grace period for each booking and ask that if you are running late or plans have changed to call us so we can make amendments.

We are a seated venue only and all reservations are guaranteed 2 hours at the table.

We are an Over 18's Only venue and do not accept cash.

Live Music: Friday and Saturday - 21:00 until Midnight

Top review

JANE

Dined 6 days ago

It was our 2nd visit to the sterling bar and we really enjoyed this time as much as the first time. The waitress we had was brilliant and very attentive. Cant fault it will definitely be back.

Hard Rock Cafe - Manchester

4.4

4.4 (3646)

£25 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Enjoy freshly prepared American classics like our world-famous Legendary® Burgers, Smokehouse specialities, flavourful Salads and mouth-watering Desserts. Quench your thirst at our bar, with authentic cocktails, a great draught selection, and incredible Happy Hour offerings, we have something to suit everyone’s taste buds!

Be wowed by our walls adorned with authentic, one-of-a-kind memorabilia from decades of music history, featuring items from British music legends and international stars alike.

Located in short walking distance of Manchester Arena, The National Football Museum, Arndale shopping centre, Royal Exchange Theatre & Manchester Cathedral.

Top review

Catherine

Dined 2 days ago

Really tasty food and great staff. Very much enjoyed our visit.

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The Courthouse Restaurant & Bar

4.4

4.4 (685)

£25 and under

Contemporary Indian

Bolton

About the restaurant

The Courthouse Restaurant & Bar is Bolton’s most entertaining, tantalising and stimulating venue with lots to offer. The has been revamped into a vibrant dining restaurant & bar. The Courthouse offers an Indian fusion inspired menu accompanied by mind-blowing cocktails, before effortlessly morphing into one of Bolton’s hottest pre-drink venues by night! #DineDrinkDance

Top review

Marilyn

Dined on May 20, 2025

It was our first time here yesterday, we planned to returned because everything was impressive. It’s a shame to hear that that’s closing. I hope they find another location because everything was 10/10 from customer service to the food 👌🏾

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch - East Meets West Edition!

MNKY HSE Manchester

4.4

4.4 (85)

£41 and over

Contemporary Latin

Manchester

About the restaurant

Step into MNKY HSE, where we reimagine the essence of Latin American dining with spirited and adventurous flavours. Indulge in our famous tacos, exquisite sushi & ceviche, as well as our specially curated selection of grilled meats and fresh seafood cooked on our Robata grill.

MNKY HSE sets the stage for unforgettable birthday celebrations. Join us and our resident DJs on Friday and Saturday nights as we transform into a vibrant fiesta!

Top review

BenS

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Best brunch in Manchester!! Amazon food, drinks and atmosphere. Been twice and 100% Will be going again.

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4.3

4.3 (2353)

£26 to £40

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

A Modern American restaurant & bar with the world renowned "Bath Tub" Menagerie also features live shows on their catwalk every Friday & Saturday evening.
They also offer bottomless brunch 7 days a week, Saturday Afternoons are very vibrant, Afternoon Tea, Pre Theatre Menus and Sunday Roasts. Cocktail club for after work drinks features 2-4-1 selected drinks 5-7pm every weekday evening.

Please note, 48 hours noticed is required for afternoon tea bookings.

When making your reservation please indicate whether you will be dining or joining us for drinks only.

Tables are allocated two hours.

For parties of 7 or more, guests dine from our set menu or bottomless brunch menu and a pre-order is required.

We require a £15pp deposit for all Friday and Saturday bookings, this can be paid via our website.

Please note - if your party size changes less than 48 hours before you reservation, the £15 paid will not be deducted from the final bill.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

We came for lunch yesterday and had such a gorgeous time for Fathers day, lovely touch dads eating free and my little boys roast also free, the food was beautiful! great service & overall atmosphere was fab! It was a lovely vibe with a singer and dj to. The staff were amazing dont know any of the Names but the lady on the front desk was fab and she was so nice to my little boy so thank you so much for a lovely experience, it was our first visit from Liverpool & we will be back :)

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Popular dish

Bottomless Sunday Roast

Popular dish

Chateaubriand for Two

Popular dish

Fillet Steak

Pho Manchester

4.2

4.2 (369)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Manchester

About the restaurant

Found in Manchester's beautiful and historic Corn Exchange, Pho is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant that specialise in pho noodle soup, the national dish of Vietnam. Aside from pho, you can also expect to find amazing sharing starters, healthy salads, hearty rice bowls and decadent curries. They have a range of freshly made juices and also Vietnamese beers and a large wine and cocktail list. Pho’s menu is 40% vegan and nearly entirely gluten-free too. They also have an accessible kids’ menu where children can get a meal and a drink for £5.50

Top review

Philip

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Food was absolutely great and 98% gluten free for one of our friends is incredible so we'll be back. The service albeit polite when they visited our table was extremely unreliable in getting their attention to order a drink or some water which we reminder them of a few times. It wasn't busy either which is a shame. Servers seemed to be walking around looking at the ground.

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