Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a vibrant and eclectic district located in the heart of the city. This bustling area is known for its unique blend of independent boutiques, vintage shops, trendy cafes, and creative businesses. It’s a hub of art, music, and culture, attracting artists, musicians, and creative types from all over the world.
The Northern Quarter has a fascinating history, once home to the city’s textile industry and a hotbed of political activity. Today, the district has been transformed into a creative and cultural hub, with a thriving arts scene and a diverse range of independent businesses. New housing developments such as Victoria Riverside are just a 5 minute walk from the Northern Quarter.
The Northern Quarter is also home to some of Manchester’s best bars and restaurants, offering a wide range of cuisine from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee, a leisurely brunch, or a night out with friends, the Northern Quarter has something to offer everyone.
The Washhouse: 19 Shudehill, Manchester M4 2AF
The Washhouse is a truly unique bar that looks like a regular laundromat from the outside.
But instead of coin operated washing machines, bin liners brimming with wet clothes and bored customers, once inside, you can find a secret cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe. To get in, you have to find the washing machine door and ring the buzzer. Then walk through it in an all together Narnia like experience.
Inside the bar looks very launderette-like with a black and white chequered lino and even novelty boxes of laundry powder and washing baskets scattered about. It’s a fun and unique night out that’s definitely worth giving a spin.
The Whiskey Jar: 14 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
This rustic, Industrial style bar is a former mill and is known for its extensive and exciting whiskey collection.
Spread over two floors of a listed Grade 11 building, The Whiskey Jar also has live music and open mic nights, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of sumptuous leather Chesterfield style settees.
Plenty of steam punk type lighting and comfortable seating makes this an uber cool bar to enjoy a drink and must be a music and whisky connoisseur’s dream. Give it a shot.
The Fitzgerald: 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB
This speakeasy-style bar is located in a basement on Stevenson Square and has a definite 1920s vibe, complete with jazz music and vintage decor.
It serves a range of unique and interesting cocktails, including some unusual concoctions like the “Smoke and Mirrors,” which is served with a cloud of smoke.
Low sofas in a moody, dark interior, serving drinks in cut glassware gives an art deco style luxury vibe to this vintage drinking den – a touch of The Great Gatsby in the heart of the NQ.
Blockbusters NQ: 60 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
This novel cocktail bar gives a nostalgic nod to the 90’s with its fun and frivolous Blockbuster video shop theme.
A blue and yellow colour theme and walls adorned with VHS videos and movie posters takes you back to the days before streaming – with a promise the bar will help you to get ‘steaming’ instead- presumably on some of it’s video store themed cocktails – which include a VHS Presso Martini and an Alcopop-corn to name a couple.
Downstairs is an underground club space with 3am opening times at the weekend. A great place to rewind while sipping on a PG&T. A bit like the videos people used to rent out, you’re bound to return.
Dusk Til Pawn: Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DN
With an eye-catching exterior replicating an old-timey pawn shop, this inconspicuous spot is also a seriously unique cocktail bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
This prohibition-chic bar is brimming with vintage TVs, H Samuel jewellery, musical instruments and other once-upon-a-time time debris. With a dark, slightly seedy edge but offering up a slice of serious coolness – this is a hidden gem for fans of eclectic, weird and wonderful interiors.
Sip a ‘pawn star martini’ amid the dark wood and leather seating or choose from a cocktail menu boasting classics and contemporaries. This bar feels like a secret, stylish hideaway – and a fun one at that.
Living in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter is a vibrant and dynamic district that truly captures the spirit of Manchester.
It’s easy to see why the area has become one of the most sought after places to live in the City, and it’s no wonder that house prices in the district have increased in recent years. For the young or energetic interested in moving to the area, it’s worth heading those few minutes away to find value.
Several new developments along the city’s waterways provide a great base to enjoy everything the Northern Quarter has to offer. Once you’ve experienced the unique and interesting bars, stumble just five minutes away to find your new two bed flat in Manchester City Centre by exploring the Riverside area. For those with a smaller budget, take a look at some of the beautiful and affordable one bedroom flats in Manchester City Centre.
What’s your favourite unique and quirky bar in the Northern Quarter? Let us know in the comments below.
