With temperatures reaching an all-time high and the sun finally making an appearance, now is the time to spend time in Manchester’s top outdoor spaces. If you’re looking for a place to relax with a craft IPA or a cocktail, the city is full of trendy places that are sure to satisfy the craving.
Here’s our ultimate guide to Manchester’s best beer gardens and terraces, whether you’re after a quick drink during your work break or a place to spend the weekend with your nearest and dearest.
The Oast House
A rustic, dog-friendly pub located in Spinningfields, The Oast House has one of the largest beer gardens in Manchester. The courtyard features rows of picnic bench tables and a variety of booths around the edges with covers to provide shade. There’s also a large stage where live musicians perform throughout the week.
While the pub serves rotisserie chicken with a variety of sides such as Ziggy Fries and Beer-Battered Pickled Onion Rings, you’ll also find street food vendors in the courtyard area. Usually, you’ll be able to choose from hanging kebabs, northern poutine, loaded fries, and deli platters.
When it comes to drinks, they’ve got a huge array of beers and ales, including popular brands like Staropramen and Budvar. When we visited, there was someone handing out free tokens for pints, so look out for a member of staff when entering, and you might find yourself lucky.
In terms of cocktails, you can choose from classics like the Aperol Spritz and Garden Spritz. Or, try something a little different, such as their Vimto Daiquiri and Blueberry Mojito. It’s worth noting, though, that the venue gets very busy during weekends and bank holidays, so you should head there early in the afternoon or book a spot via their online platform.
Should the weather become chilly, the terrace is transformed into a cosy Teepee with heaters, making this a great place to be outside throughout the year. And since the courtyard is all flat, The Oast House is accessible for those with mobility issues.
Terrace NQ
With no signs and a stripped-back aesthetic, you’d easily miss Terrace NQ in Northern Quarter if you didn’t already know where to find it. While the ground floor is intimate with its leather booth and exposed brick, the upstairs is where the venue truly stands out.
There are four outdoor areas in total, including a leafy rooftop garden, a side courtyard, and street seating along Edge and Thomas Streets. Rather than skyline views, you instead are removed from the bustle of the city into a garden ginnel that’s relaxing and the ideal spot to catch some afternoon sun with jazz and disco music playing in the background.
To order your food and drinks, simply take a seat and order using the QR codes on the tables. If you’re hungry, Noi Quattro serves a variety of artisan Neapolitan pizzas, including their traditional Margherita and a spicy Calzone Inferno (which consists of salami, ‘Nduja, burrata, olives, and chilli). You just need to order via the QR code, and it’s delivered straight from their kitchen down the road.
The bar stays loyal to the Northwest beer scene, too, featuring city favourites like Cloudwater Brew Co. and Shindigger. Terrace NQ is also one of the best places for Margaritas in Manchester, with May specials including Spicy Mango, Mixed Berries, Coconut and Chocolate, and Strawberry and Watermelon flavours.
Escape to Freight Island
A massive food hall located in Depot Mayfield (not far from Manchester Piccadilly Station), Escape to Freight Island is one of the city’s main entertainment hubs. There’s so much seating that it’s usually easy to find a table for your group, from the outdoor beer garden to the open terrace, plant room, and main hall.
The outdoor stage typically includes live bands or DJs, as well as summer festivals – you can check their Spring Summer Series to see any upcoming events. Due to the size of the venue, there are also several bars. This includes the Platform Bar, where you’ll find craft beers like Northern Monk. There’s also Hotel Milano, a cocktail and prosecco bar featuring Bellinis and a variety of spritzes (and our favourite, the Tiramisu Martini).
Escape to Freight Island Food Stalls
There is a rotating lineup of food vendors, which currently includes:
- Brasa – Brazilian open-fire barbecue steak and prime ribs. Choose from their Brasa Steak Frites and the Crispy Chicken Brazilian Wrap.
- Nell’s Pizza – Thin and crispy pizza slices (or an entire pie), such as the Aloha Honey (if you don’t mind pineapple on your pizza) and the Vodka Pepperoni.
- Ornella’s Little Kitchen – A popular pasta vendor with traditional Sicilian staples like Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket Paccheri and Pumpkin Ravioli. They also have small sharing plates and ciabatta sandwiches.
- Mia’s Arepas – Authentic Venezuelan arepas and empanadas, including a variety of meats such as pulled beef brisket and shredded chicken. There are also vegetarian and vegan alternatives like their Veggie Fiesta with halloumi and Vegan Feast with Black Beans.
- Fuku – A popular Asian fusion street food stall for its salt and pepper chicken, chicken katsu curry, and Korean fried chicken dishes served over rice or chips (or you can ask for both like we did). They are also located at Mala and moving to Joshua Brooks.
- Burgerism – The best spot in Manchester for smashed burgers and skin-on fries. Choose from the traditional Beefed burger, the Baconed, or the Veganed. The salted chocolate brownie is the perfect solution for those sweet cravings.
- Mega Gyros – The Greek street food favourite filled with grilled meats, veggies, and chips. Varieties include chicken, halloumi, pork sausage, and falafel. The honey feta spring rolls are a must-try side dish.
Crazy Pedro’s
While there are two Crazy Pedro’s in Manchester, the branch on Bridge Street, on the edge of Spinningfields, is where you’ll find superb outdoor seating. In contrast to the Northern Quarter’s underground bar, this one features an al fresco dining area where you can enjoy slices of their New York-style pizzas.
There’s no table service here; you just need to head to the bar to order your slices. Top choices include the Kimbo Slice (with pulled pork, ham, salami, and chorizo crumb) and the Wacko Jacko (with pepperoni, jerk chicken, and jalapeno poppers). There’s also a vegan Giuseppe’s Not Sloppy, He’s Vegan that is just as tasty without the meat.
Crazy Pedro’s also has one of the most extensive selections of mezcal and tequila in Manchester if that’s your thing. This includes their primary house brand, El Tequileño, as well as Madre Mezcal. The frozen margaritas are also a game changer, especially the Spicy Watermelon and Tequila Colada.
Their Happy Hour runs from 5:00 pm to 9 pm, Sunday to Friday at both venues, and includes 2 for £12 cocktails, £12 full pizzas, £2.50 slices, £3.50 pints, and much more. And if you’re worried about the temperature dropping, the venue features an awning with umbrellas and built-in wall heaters.
The Old Pint Pot
A vibrant riverside pub in Salford that sits on the River Irwell on Adelphi Street. It’s a bit of a walk from the city centre, but it’s worth the trip for the outdoor terraced decking area and views of the water’s edge. It’s unpretentious and a popular spot for students (so you know it’s the real deal).
The pub also features a second-floor music and function room where you’ll often hear live music. And there are karaoke nights on Wednesdays and pub quizzes on Thursday nights, if you’re after some entertainment.
The Old Pint Pot serves up traditional British comfort food, including curries, burgers, steaks, pies, and all-day breakfasts. The prices are affordable, and you’ll often find deals on the daily:
- Mondays: Pie & a Drink for £14.45
- Tuesdays: Burger & a Drink for £14.45
- Wednesdays: Curry & a Drink for £14.95
- Thursdays: Steak & a Drink for £15.75
They also run brilliant package deals on drinks, including three cans of Hooch for £10 and 40% off premium pints (like Moretti and Cruzcampo) on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 pm to 10 pm. Inside, you’ll find indoor screens for live sports and several pool tables.
Tangerine
We already highly recommend Tangerine as a place to grab a bite to eat in Manchester, but they also have a cosy outdoor terrace that is perfect for those summer afternoons. Located beneath Salford Central Station, head up the stairs in the venue and past the long tables to the hidden terrace (ask a staff member if you get lost on the way).
While the inside is a labyrinth of food vendors and orange neon signs, the outside is much calmer, featuring patio furniture and timber decking. Combine this with huge planters and trailing ferns, and you’ve got a secret garden that is ideal for after-work drinks or chilled weekends.
Food is served from Wednesday to Sunday from early afternoon through to the evening. The setup houses independent vendors from Japanese street food to Italian pizzas and pastas to loaded fries. And you can mix and match dishes to suit your preferences.
The space is also fitted with overhead heaters and retractable awnings should the weather take a turn for the worse. Plus, you don’t even need to leave your table to go to the bar. All that’s required is for you to scan the QR code at your table, and your drinks will be brought directly to you.
The Crown & Kettle
On the border of Ancoats and Northern Quarter is a Grade II listed pub that’s one of the oldest in the area. The Crown & Kettle still retains its Gothic plaster ceiling and traceried windows, yet feels modern for its array of craft beers and on-street beer garden that is packed on warmer days.
The pub’s long wooden benches and tables provide the ideal spot for people watching in the trendy Ancoats region and the best place for a post-work afternoon pint. While they rotate a board of local sours, ales and ciders, their mainstays include Paulaner Helles, Vocation Brewery Crush Hour, and Shindigger Session IPA. Guinness is also always available on the nitro tap.
To line your stomach along with your drink of choice, the in-house kitchen, Roti, serves up Indian-Scottish cuisine from Haggis Pakoras to a Chaat Masala Scotch Egg. Or to share with friends, opt for the poppadoms topped with yoghurt, tamarind chutney, and pomegranate seeds.
The Wharf
Found along the banks of the Bridgewater Canal in Castlefield is one of the top waterfront terraces in Manchester, The Wharf. The huge outdoor beer garden here sits directly outside the pub and is a popular spot for bar crawls due to being a short distance away from The Deansgate and Dukes 92.
The Moorings is the venue’s open-air bar and cocktail hatch that saves you from trekking inside just to get a round in. While inside you’ll find a large collection of whiskeys, here you’ll be able to choose from frozen strawberry daiquiris, Negronis, Pinot Grigios, and lagers. This includes the city’s own Shindigger’s Wharf IPA in a frosted glass. Just walk up to the hatch or order using the QR code on your table.
The outside menu is specially designed to share as a group. This includes a Baked Camembert with toasted focaccia and a Mezze Plate piled with burrata, warm flatbread, hummus, and aubergines. Enjoy your meal along with views of the colourful barges and canal boats moored against the walls.
From the 25th to the 26th of July this year, they are hosting their Summer Bash Weekend. You can expect a barbecue, live singers, and activities for all the family, all outside on the terrace. There’s no need to book either, simply turn up on the day and find yourself a place to sit.
Diecast
Tucked just behind Piccadilly Station on Ducie Street, Diecast is a massive former metalworks factory and one of the most unique party spaces in Manchester. At its core is Leno ex Machina, a huge industrial hall where you’ll find ‘NeoPan’ pizzas, waffle fries, and gourmet burgers served up by Warehouse Kitchen.
There’s also a corner shop called The Bodega, which features a secret karaoke room, and the famous House of Daiquiri, where you can choose from more than 49 different flavours of the classic cocktail from machines on the wall.
Outside, you’ll find Manchester’s biggest beer garden featuring a trailer park of refurbished caravans that you can book for private parties and summer drinks. As the sun starts to set, Club Leno comes alive, hosting live DJs and underground performances. Their Spread and Ex Machina club nights have proved incredibly popular, so it’s recommended that you buy tickets in advance online.
Dukes 92
One of the city’s canalside hotspots on Castle Street, Dukes 92 is a converted 19th-century heritage building that is now a successful bar and grill. The outside terrace sits on the Castlefield Basin, fully equipped with its own kitchen and bars, alongside a large canopy system and patio heaters to keep the atmosphere going on cooler evenings.
The Dukes 92 menu includes their own locally brewed Dukes Lager and a gluten-free ale called Dukes Brew. They also cover a range of cocktail favourites like the Mango Rum Punch and a Spicy Margarita, along with premium rosé and white wines available by the glass or bottle.
When it comes to food, they specialise in sharing boards. This includes cheese & charcuterie boards alongside a brand-new summer lineup of loaded fries and a Dip & Drip chicken sharing board with crispy chicken and wings with tasty dips like sticky gochujang and blue cheese ranch. Just after a snack? They also do hummus with flatbread and fondue tots (which are a game changer).
While they don’t operate a happy hour, they do offer a Live Music Saturday Brunch every weekend from 10 am to 2 pm, which is ideal for celebrations. This includes three drinks, pastries, a fruit platter, and brunch (including their Mighty Breakfast Butty and Truffle and Parmesan Eggs Benedict) for £35 per person.
Sadler’s Cat
Located within the NOMA district, just a short walk from Victoria Station, Sadler’s Cat is the ultimate spot for a cold beverage after a long train journey into the city. The building features a distinct Scandinavian aesthetic, looking like a wooden cabin with its pitched roof and dark timber exterior.
The large outdoor beer garden features rows of picnic benches and shaped hedges across Sadler’s Yard, beautifully illuminated with cosy strings on an evening. The dog-friendly hangout is proudly run by the local independent team behind Cloudwater Brew Co, so you can expect premium Manchester craft beer and rotating pale ales.
If you’re after a mid-week bargain, they run a Happy Hour every Wednesday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. This includes £4 pints of Cloudwater Happy and Helles lager as well as 20% off guest lines and discounted low-and-no alcohol lines.
To pair with your drinks, you can tuck into a counter snack selection of artisan pork pies and vegan pastry rolls inside the bar, and dishes from the street food pop-ups. While the food truck roster does rotate, you can expect to find wood-fired pizzas, tacos, and smash burgers on their usual lineup. Just head up to the hatch you want to order from and pay direct.