With many of Manchester’s craft beer bars and pubs changing their opening hours for the Christmas and New Year period, here’s a little run though of the festive opening times of some of the venues in the city centre.
See the list by day or by venue – and if you want some advice on where to drink, see my guide to Manchester’s best craft beer bars and pubs.
Looking through my blog post archive, there’s various guides and lists I’ve pulled together about pubs and bars from locations across the UK and beyond – but I realised I’ve never done one for the city I spend most of my time in! So, here’s a look at some of the best craft beer bars and pubs in Manchester city centre (in my own humble opinion).
A long weekend brings about even more beer events than normal and here’s a look at what’s going on over the Easter bank holiday weekend in Manchester.
(Looking for what’s going on during the rest of the year? See my Manchester beer events calendar)
Recently relocated to Manchester from the capital, Beatnikz Republic will be having a soft launch over the Easter weekend at their site in the Green Quarter. They’ll be showcasing some of their beers that have been gypsy brewed elsewhere, ahead of a larger launch party once they’ve brewed at the new site. They’ll be open from the Thursday right through to Easter Monday. (Find out more about them on this Beernomicon podcast)
Thursday 13 April 4-10pm, Friday 14 April 4-10pm, Saturday 15 April 12-8pm, Sunday 16 April 12-8pm, Monday 17 April 12-8pm, Unit 15, Red Bank – Twitter.
Beermoth on Tib Street and Cafe Beermoth on Spring Gardens will be celebrating yeast across the Easter weekend with events in the Beermoth cellar and at the cafe. Entry will be free.
Saturday 15 April 4-8pm, Sunday 16 April 4-8pm – Twitter.
Chorlton will be opening their doors on Easter Saturday and on offer will be beer smoothies alongside their Sour Blend 3 and (sour) Lager and Lime.
Saturday 15 April, 12-10pm, 69 North Western Street – Twitter.
Cloudwater, Magic Rock and Other Half (all the way from New York) will be teaming up to provide 12 taps of their beers on Easter Sunday at the Pilcrow. As well as the takeover, a special meet the brewers’ event will be held from 6.30pm at Redfern House (across the road) – this is a ticketed event and they’re on sale now.
Sunday 16 April, 12pm, Sadler’s Yard – Facebook event.
The Marble Arch will be cracking open bottles of their Russian Imperial Stout, Portent of Usher, that they’ve been saving over the bank holiday. It’ll be there from midday on Friday, but they don’t expect it to last long!
Friday 14 April 12pm until it runs out, The Marble Arch, Rochdale Road – Facebook event.
Grub’s weekly street food events at Alphabet have become more and more popular over recent months and following their first vegan-only event earlier this year, they’re hosting another over the bank holiday weekend. Vegan food will be available from traders including Wallace & Sons, Fat Annie’s, Pollen Bakery and Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and all of the beers available behind the bar will be 100% vegan.
Saturday 15 April, 12-10pm, 99 North Western Street – Facebook event.
Chorlton’s The Beagle will be celebrating the best of Manchester on Easter Saturday with a tap takeover showcasing brewers from the city on both cask and keg. Expect Blackjack, Cloudwater, Runaway, Squawk, Track and more. It’s all part of Chorlton’s Neighbourhood Jam event which also includes Marble Beerhouse, Font, Pi and more.
Saturday 15 April, 12pm, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton. Neighbourhood Jam Facebook event.
Technically not in Manchester but only a short train ride away, New Mills’ Torrside will be opening their doors on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Ten beers will be available on draught, including I’m Spartacus on both cask and keg, and they’ll also be previewing their collaboration with Rivington Brewing Co.
Friday 14 April and Saturday 15 April, 12-8pm, New Mills Marina, Hibbert Street, New Mills – more info.
Unit 101 is a new beer bar and events space from the team at Beer Merchants and will be opening its doors for the first time on Easter Saturday. They’re planning on opening every Saturday for both on and off-sales (including growler fills) and will have 11 beers on draught.
Saturday 15 April, 12-7pm, 101 North Western Street – Twitter.
Just because it’s a bank holiday it doesn’t mean the regularly occuring events won’t be taking place.
Beer Nouveau will have extended opening hours over the bank holiday, including opening their doors on Easter Sunday.
Friday 14 April 12-10.30pm, Saturday 15 April 12-10.30pm, Sunday 16 April, 12-8pm, 75 North Western Street – Twitter.
Not only will Cloudwater be taking part in a tap takeover at the Pilcrow, but their Barrel Store tap room will also be open on the Friday and Saturday. They are also opening their brewery for a tour on the Saturday morning, with tickets now available for £13.15.
Friday 14 April, 4-9pm, Saturday 15 April, 12-8pm, 13 Sheffield Street – Twitter
Update 12/4 – Manchester Brewing Co have now announced that they won’t be opening over the Easter weekend
Manchester Brewing Co have started opening their doors weekly as from the beginning of this month and will be again opening their doors on Easter Saturday.
The Ale in Kaleigh 