The Manchester beer gardens named amongst the best in the country ahead of sunny weekend
It could be another nice weekend
Three pubs and bars in Greater Manchester have been named as having the best beer gardens in the country for when the sun comes out.
Thankfully, across Greater Manchester, we are known for having plenty of pubs and bars with stunning spaces offering a chance to unwind, soak up the rays, and catch some good vibes. And now we have the validation as a new guide has unveiled the 30 best beer gardens in the country. One venue in Manchester has even made it into the top five of the list.
The list, compiled by Big 7 Travel, named Lake View Garden Bar, located on Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District, as its top suggestion, praising it for its admirable views of local nature and wildlife, as well as its wide selection of food and drink on offer.
The top three was also made up of the Fortune of War in Brighton, and The Old Mill Inn, over in Pitlochry, Perthshire. But there were three venues to shout about locally in the list, just in time for this weekend when the weather is set to be pretty nice.
Coming in at a very respectable fifth place on the list was The Wharf on Slate Wharf, near Castlefield, with experts impressed at how the venue had used its city centre surroundings to its benefit, whilst also heaping praise on its cosy alcoves and bustling outdoor terrace.
Offering beautiful views of the Manchester Ship Canal, the purpose-built pub first opened its doors in 1998 under the name of the Jackson’s Wharf, until it ceased trading in 2005. With plans for an apartment block on the site being unsuccessful, it reopened as a pub in 2011 under the guidance of local operator Brunning & Price.
Describing the venue, the list said: “The Wharf in Manchester shows that despite its city centre location, a beer garden can still be the selling point of the pub for numerous guests.
“In fact, while the inside of the pub with its cosy alcoves and small rooms is excellent, it’s the outdoor parts which really make this worth visiting. From its bustling outdoor terrace, vibrant outdoor areas which sometimes feature live music performances in the summer, right down to its own boules court, this pub in the Castlefield area of Manchester is a must-visit when you next find yourself in the city centre.”
The pub has a stunning Mooring outside area, which serves up classic cocktails, frozen margaritas, and wines, and also features a weekend calendar of live music and events.
Its daily menu includes the likes of pies, steaks, salads, sandwiches, sausage and mash, and lentil dahls, alongside a Sunday menu featuring roast shoulder of lamb, and a butternut squash, cashew and chestnut roast. It also has an expansive desserts and cheeses menu, including ice creams and sorbets from Cheshire Farms.
Further down the list, coming in at 11th place, is the popular Oast House. Located in Spinningfields, the country-style tavern is known for its live music and regular events, as well as its outdoor beer garden, stage area and parasols.
Usually rammed in the summer, the courtyard venue is popular for its vast drinks selection, as well as its food menu, which includes hanging kebabs, burgers, loaded fries, gyros and fish and chips.
The list said: “Enjoyed during the day but especially at night when thousands of fairy lights light up the garden, this city centre pub really knows how to stand out from the crowd: an old country-style tavern placed right in the heart of Manchester’s business district, with its sleek, modern glass buildings, this pub offers an excellent sense of escapism while still being in the convenient location of the city centre."
Also representing Manchester on the list is Dukes 92, on Castle Street near Castlefield. In fact, it is also quite conveniently located near to The Wharf and is situated directly next to Albert’s Shed.
The canalside venue is popular with those wanting to watch the nearby boats, whilst it also features a steady stream of live music in its outdoor area - which tends to get busy at even the smallest sight of sunshine.
Its menu features small plates, like sesame chicken wings, dynamite prawns and hummus, as well as sharers, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas and steaks. There's also a roast menu on Sunday.
Commenting on the venue, Big 7 said: "Enjoy a few cold ones as you watch the boats gently glide past, and with such a wide selection of drinks and food on offer, it’s so easy to spend a whole day (and night!) here.
"There are two levels to the beer garden here, so even if you don’t want to sit waterside, you can sit on the elevated balcony, which also offers excellent views over the canal network and the Castlefield area of the city."
You can find the full list here.