The best hidden bars in Manchester to visit this Bank Holiday weekend

The lockdown is (nearly) over and a bank holiday is on the horizon – this weekend is going to be huge.

However, though most of us can’t wait for that taste of fun and drunken normality, it is a sad reality that many of Manchester’s bars and restaurants will be chock-a-block this weekend, and that finding a table with or without a reservation might be a challenge.

As for a solution?

Well, it can only be Manchester’s famed hidden bars.

washhousemcr / Instagram

The city centre has an abundance of ‘secret’ or ‘hidden’ establishments that are a little harder to track down than the rest, and here are some of the best ones…

The Washhouse

Perhaps one of Manchester’s most ‘unsecret’ secret bars, The Washhouse is famed for its unusual laundrette disguise. You can only enter the premises after ringing the telephone in the laundrette and literally climbing through the washing machine-front door hybrid. Once inside, though, you’ll be able to enjoy an elusive list of cocktails, wines and beers.

It’s table bookings only and you’ll need to track down their phone number to get it organised. Good luck!

19 Shudehill, Manchester M4 2AF

The Fitzgerald

Tucked away down one of the Northern Quarter’s back alleys, The Fitzgerald will transport you back to the roaring 1920s with it’s subtle Great Gatsby theme and decor.

Live jazz and blues can be caught on weekends before the lively bar transforms with DJs playing soul, disco and funk until the early hours. The perfect bank holiday treat, if you ask me.

The Fitzgerald currently operates on a walk-ins only basis, so it’ll be first come first serve.

11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB

caneandgrain.co.uk

Science & Industry

One of the OG secret bars in the city, the ‘eccentric and experimental hideaway’ Science & Industry can be found hidden behind a secret door in the popular Northern Quarter haunt, Cane & Grain.

Once you’ve managed to figure out the trick door, which is blended into the wooden wall, you will find yourself in a vintage and dimly-lit cocktail bar, where a whole array of original and classic drinks will be waited to your table.

Science & Industry accepts both walk-ins and bookings. 

49, 51 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA

Behind Closed Doors

“Sex, rugs & funk ‘n’ soul.”

Subtly placed between a piercing shop and a t-shirt printers, this x-rated establishment could very easily be mistaken for something else entirely. The basement speakeasy features old fashioned decor with a sexy twist – raunchy artwork is dotted around the space, and the small 1970’s televisions play x-rated movies around the clock, so it might not somewhere to take mum and dad for a drink.

But, on a more fun note, each table features a fully functioning vintage rotary telephone that can be used to call up the bar for a cocktail. 

BCD is accepting both walk-ins and bookings.

93 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LW

Facebook / Speak in Code

Speak in Code

This swish evening establishment might not consider itself as an official ‘secret’ bar, but it’s pretty difficult to locate. Tucked away on Jackson’s Row, this unique establishment brings you vegan eats, craft drinks and hip-hop music five nights of the week.

Speak in Code accepts both walk-ins and bookings. 

7 Jackson’s Row, Manchester M2 5ND

One Eight Six

If you’re after both a haircut and a bev this weekend, then this in the venue for you.

A relatively new haunt to the hidden bar scene, One Eight Six is disguised behind an actual, fully-operational barbers shop. The bar doubles up as a music venue, with live acts regularly performing at the cabaret-style venue, which makes it great for dancing on the tables – something that’s actually encouraged by the staff.

One Eight Six is currently accepting bookings for the bank holiday, make sure not to miss out here.

186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB

Instagram / thedaisynq

The Daisy

You’ll all be aware of Evelyn’s, one of the Northern Quarter’s most popular eateries, but are you aware of the cocktail bar tucked away beneath it?

The Daisy is located in the basement of the restaurant and serves as a part-co-working space by day, and a private bar by night. During the day, the café and workspace supplies members with coffee from Ozone Coffee Roasters and Rare Tea Company, but in the evening hours, the venue serves up an enticing range of cocktails, wines, beers and live music. 

Though it might be worth noting that the venue operates on an exclusive membership basis, which comes with a fee of £100 per year. Prospective members are required to submit their applications to The Daisy’s private Instagram profile.

g18, 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA

Blind Tyger

Nestled below the popular St. Anne’s Square establishment Sandinistas, Blind Tyger is Manchester’s version of the hidden Leeds haunt. The unique speakeasy-style cocktail bar serves up some of the finest tipples in the area, taking inspiration from the 1st Prohibition era of the 19th Century.

The venue itself features all manner of knick-knacks and trinkets to emulate the feel of old-school tavern culture, alongside flocked wallpaper, dark furniture and ornate glassware. As for what’s inside the glasses, expect some contemporary takes on classic cocktails from Juleps to Negronis. 

Blind Tyger is currently accepting both walk-ins and bookings. 

2 Old Bank St, Manchester M2 7PF