Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Manchester/Greater Manchester

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

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

4.9

4.9 (161)

£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

Renny

Dined 7 days ago

It’s a great bar. The cocktails are different and interesting. The staff are all knowledgeable, amiable and approachable. The ambience is that of a dark, vibrant haven for those seeking an oasis of sophistication with great music and none of the usual rowdiness the centre of Manchester offers. Make sure to book. It’s not impossible, but you’re unlikely to get in as a walk-up.

The Blues Kitchen - Manchester

4.7

4.7 (2607)

£25 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Michelle

Dined 2 days ago

Really nice and chill, service attentive but non intrusive. Really nice team from start to finish

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JERK CHICKEN SANDWICH

The Old School BBQ Bus

4.7

4.7 (673)

£25 and under

Barbecue

Failsworth

About the restaurant

In 2016 the Old School BBQ was born, using a freshly imported 1982 Bluebird International American school bus from Arizona as a mobile kitchen.

The bus was converted from a traditional seated bus to a fully functional kitchen, with smokers and griddles to cook low and slow BBQ food. The OSB journey had begun, trading from humble beginnings on a local pub car park in Failsworth.

Our little yellow bus soon became a familiar landmark and we became more and more popular with lunch goers who wanted freshly prepared, appetising food served with a smile. Soon demand meant that we would be more often than not greeting our customers with a "sold out" sign, so it was time to expand.

So here we are, with a covered seated area serving our firm favourites, complemented with a fully licenced bar and WC facilities... did we mention the stage? That's right, we also provide live music from various acts from near and far - we are sure you will find our eatery to be like no other!

Top review

tracy

Dined 6 days ago

Food was lovely as always. I went for the cheese sandwich with chicken fajita this time, it's very filling and comes with fries. On the downside, I wanted a slice of the biscoff cheesecake for dessert but all the cake based desserts were priced at £6.50 for a slice. In the current climate I personally think that these items are extortionately overpriced so I didn't order any.

STERLING BAR

4.7

4.7 (191)

£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, vintage spirits, rare wine and elegant cocktails all
served alongside bar snacks.

Please note that we only able to 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.

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.

Top review

Kiale

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Very nice and chilled place , enjoyed a few cocktails and the piano man !

The Courthouse Restaurant & Bar

4.5

4.5 (660)

£25 and under

American

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 a globally inspired menu accompanied by mind-blowing cocktails, before effortlessly morphing into one of Bolton’s hottest parties by night! #DineDrinkDance

Top review

Karishma

Dined 5 days ago

Honestly loved the food and ambience. Staff were very kind, helpful and generous. My husband wanted changed to the menu and this was done. I had food from the Christmas menu and it was amazing and the vegan chocolate orange cheesecake desert was amazing.

Dukes 92

4.4

4.4 (2471)

£25 and under

British

Manchester

About the restaurant

Dukes 92 was originally a stable block for the horses delivering foods off barges to the Merchants warehouse opposite. From these humble begininngs the building now houses Manchester's original bar and grill which has been refurbished and extended three times since its opening in 1991 the space today is informal and airy with the buildings heritage being reflected in a subtle blend of antique furniture and modern fixed seating.
With its most recent refurbishment Dukes can now properly call itself a venue with two bars, three private events spaces, a grill restaurant, excellent smoking facilities, canalside terrace and balcony overlooking the canal basin. Dukes continued appeal relies on its ability to transform from a relaxed, family friendly environment by day to a vibrant and stylish bar and grill by night.
The space has been extended and refurbished since its opening in 1991 and inside its interior combines contemporary features and its trademark antique furniture.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Nice food good service lovely wine with friends as always a great experience

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Popular dish

ROAST CHICKEN

Menagerie Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (2320)

£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

Ana isabel

Dined 2 days ago

Love the decor!!!me and the girl love the food,the cocktails and the music!!! Thank you

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Popular dish

Bottomless Sunday Roast

4.4

4.4 (55)

£41 and over

Contemporary Latin

Ashton-Under-Lyne

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

Jane

Dined 5 days ago

We had a great experience for our anniversary yesterday. We had the premium bottomless brunch. The food was amazing and we had so much of it. The drinks were great and came so quickly. The service was super slick and really friendly. And they were playing great music and people were up and dancing. It was the best bottomless brunch I’ve been to in Manchester and definitely worth paying a little bit extra for!

Hard Rock Cafe - Manchester

4.3

4.3 (3467)

£25 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in 68 countries spanning 239 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes

Top review

James

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent service everything was done timely with no fuss.

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Almost Famous - Great Northern

4.3

4.3 (1671)

£25 and under

Burgers

Manchester

About the restaurant

Almost Famous burgers were born from a need for a super juicy dripping down your arms no nonsense burger – 100% prime cuts of beef, pillowy soft charred bun, melty cheese and creamy tangy sauces. We smash all these elements together to create the burgers we’ve been known for since day one.

For larger bookings (8+), please email us on gn@almostfamousburgers.com.

Top review

Matthew

Dined 6 days ago

Loved everything but we had to wait a long time for our drinks. I would have had probably another drink in the place if we had it sooner

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Experience

FESTIVE AF Bottomless Brunch

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