Best & Cool Bars in Thumbs Up

"This vegetarian Indian street food restaurant has plenty of options for vegans, such as onion and kale bhajis, vegan Vada Pav and Tarka Dhal. Available to order on Deliveroo from the Northern Quarter restaurant."

"Albert’s Schloss is a Bavarian-inspired fun palace of extraordinary dimensions and clever design. Behind the glistening tiles of the former Manchester and Salford Wesleyan Mission building (est in 1910) you’ll discover a vast bar, real fires, perfectly preserved original plaster, and a wall stuffed generously with flowers by floral artists’ Frog. You’ll also find a stage, DJ booth and network of beer pipes and tanks serving unpasturised Pilsner Urquell to hordes of adoring punters."

"Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 5QR - Visit now. A self-confessed ‘bohemian pleasure palace’ taking over the ground floor of established music venue the Albert Hall. The ornate building is a former Wesleyan Chapel built over a century ago."

"A post shared by Albert’s Schloss (@albertsschloss) on Feb 22, 2020 at 12:00am PST. For crêpe lovers, Albert’s Schloss has you sorted this Tuesday. Available for one day only, tuck into their crêpes filled with house-made chocolate praline sauce and preserved blood orange slices, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream."

"Those dreams of sharing a Roast Platter once more are just weeks away”. The Refuge is known throughout the city for its slap-up Sunday roasts, with the highlight undoubtedly being the ‘Roast Platter’, which lets you combine a choice of meats on offer with a rich range of sides and accompaniments to top it all off. A vegetarian / vegan roast option is also available, alongside extensive drinks and dessert menus."

"Now open two years, the Unabombers-curated Refuge in The Principal Hotel is one of the coolest go-to dining and drinking spots in the city. With a beautifully refurbished interior, tapas-style menu and a Sunday roast banquet to revere, The Refuge goes from strength to strength with regular events and constantly changing dishes."

"Serving honest, freshly-cooked food, Harvester creates a warm, family-friendly vibe at its hundreds of restaurants throughout the UK. From tapas-style starters and juicy rotisserie chicken, to famous signature ribs and 100% British beef burgers, the…"

"23/05/2021: A very warm welcome at La Boheme at lunchtime today. The staff were very warm and courteous and the food divine as always. I can not speak highly enough of this lovely French restaurant."

"Hidden behind a curtain in a corner of the grand lobby of the Midland Hotel, there’s more than a feel of Alice in Wonderland as you are transported through mirrored doors into the dining room of The French. Soft grey and sage green tones give everything a muted luxurious feel and there are two huge cylindrical chandeliers which throw light back and forth via the mirrored panelling around the room. Chef Adam Reid’s cooking is inventive and playful but executed with real precision and flair."

"If gorgeous food, a fine dining experience and an environment steeped in history are your thing, then make The French your next restaurant of choice. Based within Manchester’s grand Midland Hotel, The French became one of the first UK restaurants to be awarded the honour of a Michelin-star. Since reopening in 2013, and again undergoing refurbishment in 2016, the restaurant has made rapid progress towards once again becoming one of the finest eating destinations in the country."

"Chef-Patron Adam Reid is no stranger to fine dining and has worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants during his career. He even scooped the dessert top spot on BBC’s Great British Menu, with his signature dish Golden Empire. Diners at The French can expect the same creativity from Adam with the menu putting his stamp on modern British cuisine."

"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."

"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"

"Travel back in time to the industrial revolution at the Quarry Bank Mill. Oozing with heritage, you can experience the ‘sounds and smells’ of steam and water-powered engines, explore the cotton mill to learn about spinning, weaving, the production of material, and the history of the textile industry, tour the Apprentice House for a glimpse into the lives of pauper children, stroll the beautiful gardens, or walk the Styal Estate, filled with woodlands and streams. Interactive, engaging, and educational, the museum exhibits and friendly and knowledgeable staff make Quarry Bank Mill a great day out for all ages."

"Intimate, Italian, independent - Salvi's ticks all our date night boxes. Hidden away in the basement beneath the Corn Exchange, the original mozzarella bar and restaurant has a cosy charm and a menu of Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta dishes, alongside antipasti boards perfect for sharing. There's also a deli upstairs where you can pick up a gift, if you haven't already - it's a one-stop Valentine's shop."

"Bringing a taste of southern Italy to the NQ, Salvi’s fourth site introduces Manchester diners to new dishes and new cooking methods. Keen not to be in any way chain-like, each restaurant has its own individual specialities. Favourites here include guazetto, a tomatoey seafood stew (£20.95), octopus salad (£9.95) and pasta con baccala (£15.95)."

"Savi’s newest restaurant is at the Corn Exchange but there are other branches in John Dalton Street and at the Airkix Indoor Skydiving centre at Trafford Quays Leisure Village."

"Based in the Arndale Market Food Court, this place serves both Belgian and bubble waffles. They're served with ice cream and sprinkled with toppings including Reese's pieces, cupcakes and caramel fudge cubes (£5.80), Oreos, Smarties and chocolate sauce (£6.35) and Hershey's Cookies and Cream, white chocolate and strawberry sauce (£3.99). You don't have to brave the food court to find them - they're available on JustEat too ."

"What: Boasting a sizeable outdoor terrace by its entrance (which is fenced off from the rest of the street and protected from the elements by giant parasols), The Alchemist is a good shout for drinks and nibbles on a warm day. While most punters come here to Instagram the colour-changing, dry ice emitting cocktails, the all-day menu is also worth your time, offering avo on toast and pancakes at breakfast, followed by crispy pork belly or katsu curry for dinner.Where: 3 Hardman Street, M3 3HF"

"Why:The Alchemist found fame in the north through its winning combination of theatrical cocktails and Instagrammable interiors, but it’s not just late-night jars this spot is good for. Breakfast is a strong suit too, with everything from full breakfast fry ups to coconut yogurt and granola on the all-encompassing menu. For aesthetics the calming bright, light interiors make for a relaxing atmosphere and offer up picture-opportunities-a-plenty."

"With four establishments around the UK, The Alchemist is best known for its creative cocktails, while their superb breakfasts remain somewhat of a hidden surprise; a combination of typical English breakfasts, bacon butties and even American waffles. Perhaps more uniquely, there are even three brunch cocktails on offer. View this post on Instagram"