Manchester is home to a rich and industrious heritage. The city is also home to plenty of no‑frills watering holes that serve decent drinks at wallet‑friendly prices. Many of these places aren’t polished, but that’s part of their charm. They feel lived-in, unpretentious, and exactly the sort of places you’d stumble into late on a Saturday night and instantly feel at ease.
Some of these bars even roll out charming happy‑hour specials every weeknight. You can find offers like £3.50 pints and £4 cocktails in several central bars. Here are some of the best affordable bars in Manchester.
5 Affordable Bars In Manchester
1. Trof, Northern Quarter
2. Salt Dog Slim
3. Albert Schloss
4. Simmons Bar
5. The Blues Kitchen
Affordable Bars In Manchester
Here are the best affordable bars you can get in Manchester:
1. Trof, Northern Quarter
Trof is one of the Northern Quarter’s true restaurant gems. During the day, it’s a cozy café and brunch spot that serves stacked pancakes, strong coffee, and a Sunday roast that has earned the approval of locals. At night, it transforms into a warm, buzzing bar where groups mingle over candlelight and clinking glasses. You could easily spend hours here, transitioning from late lunch to late-night drinks without skipping a beat.
Set in a typical Manchester red brick building, the décor at Trof is very artistic and vintage. Pictures on exposed brick walls, retro lighting, mismatched furniture, and plenty of leafy plants dangling from high shelves. In the evenings, Trof often features live music, open mic nights, or themed quizzes, free entertainment, and cheap drinks.
Drinks can be as cheap as £4 pints for Trof lager, or house spirit and mixer, £7 for disco cocktails, and £20 for a bottle of red or white wine. These prices are truly a steal in the upper-class Northern Quarter area.
Trof is ideal for both locals and travelers alike who want to have a good time at a reputable place without breaking the bank.
Location: 8 Thomas Street, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday)
10:00 am – 1:00 am (Friday- Saturday)
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Happy Hour)
Price Range: £5 – £20
2. Salt Dog Slims
Salt Dog Slims is an American-style den with an aura of unpolished charm and budget-friendly bites. The restaurant is known for its casual vibes, great drinks, and incredible chili hot dogs. Unlike some bars, Salt Dog believes in a long-lasting happy hour with their Super Happy Hour that runs Sunday to Friday until 8 PM.
The cool bar boasts a standing beer vending machine, a free pool table, and bartenders who double as DJs spinning indie and rock music. They even host a chaotic monthly quiz: Steins, Brines & Question Times. It’s part trivia night, part silly fun, with weird prizes and lots of laughter.
Salt Dog Slim also serves up creative takes on your classic hot dog. This includes vegetarian and vegan options that are as satisfying as they are affordable, just £3 a plate. It’s the perfect fuel for a late-night dance-off or deep chat in the beer garden.
The most iconic thing about Salt Dog Slim, besides the cheap cocktails and spicy hot dogs? The bohemian vibe. Guests are welcome to etch their name into the walls to commemorate their time within the bar. Just scribble what you want, and it becomes wall art.
Location: 17 Bow Lane, Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am (Monday – Thursday)
4:00 pm – 4:00 am (Friday – Saturday)
6:00 pm – 4:00 am (Sunday)
Price Range: £6 – £10
3. Affordable Bars In Manchester: Albert Schloss
Albert Schloss is a combination of a music showroom plus a beer hall. The self-described Bavarian pleasure palace pairs opulence with unexpected affordability that attracts throngs of locals and travelers into its halls.
It’s happy hour, known as the Bohemian and Fizz hour, offers selected cocktails for £5–£10. A steal considering that the usual price tag sits closer to £12 for a drink. Drinks can range from imported German beers to local craft pints, with prices tiered for different budgets. You can mix and match your drinks all night long, so you don’t have to stick to one drink. They also offer a range of finger foods and snacks to pair with your drinks. From Giant pretzel donuts to Mushroom Spätzle, all no pricier than £15.
Albert Schloss is also a performance venue. Expect live bands, piano requests, cabaret, drag acts, and theatrical flair, especially from 8 PM. It’s a deluge of entertainment, but with one small catch: during these showtime hours, an extra charge is added to drinks to support performers. It’s a nice gesture in principle, but something to note if you’re counting coins.
Location: 27 Peter Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 9:00 am – 2:00 am (Monday – Saturday)
Price Range: £3 – £25
4. Simmons Bar, Manchester
Hailing from London, Simmons Bar has quickly established itself as a firm favourite for affordable nights out in Manchester. Its retro vibe, neon glow, and five straight hours of wallet-friendly drinking attract a crowd like no other.
As if the five hours of happy hours weren’t enough, Simmons keeps the party alive with day-specific specials. This includes the Marg Mondays, all Margarita or Paloma order goes for £5 all night, and Teapot Tuesdays with cocktail teapots for £15 all night. You can pair it up with a Holy Slice NYC-style pizza for less than most city-centre snacks.
Simmons maintains a kitsch disco decor. Everything from wall-to-wall neon signs, a giant mirror ball, and a nostalgic soundtrack that mixes pop, R&B, and party anthems. DJs and themed nights from Thursday to Saturday ensure that the bar stays fun and lively. Karaoke rooms, styled like recording studios, are available for booking if you require a bit of privacy to scream the roof down.
Location: 78, Deansgate, Manchester, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am (Monday – Tuesday)
4:00 pm – 12:00 am (Wednesday – Friday)
12:00 pm- 2:00 am (Saturday)
2:00 pm – 2:00 am (Sunday)
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Friday – Saturday, Happy Hour)
Price Range: £2 – £30
5. The Blues Kitchen
The Blues Kitchen is a reimagined slice of America seen through the lens of soul music, cocktails, and comfort food. While its ambience leans towards a more upscale bar, budget-conscious visitors can still carve out an affordable and memorable night for themselves.
The Kitchen might not market itself as a budget bar, but visitors in the know can unlock great value through its weekly offers. Offers like the £6 cocktails on Wednesdays, live music every night, with little to no cover charges, depending on the act, and frequent social media-exclusive deals, especially around seasonal events and weekdays.
For a night of free admission or under £5 to get in, guests can get a live gig with cocktails and candlelight. Music ranges from soul, blues, funk, R&B, and the occasional gospel‑tinged jam session. It’s not exactly your typical cheap night out spot, but it offers some exceptional value for the atmosphere and artistry you get in return.
Location: 13, Quay Street, Manchester, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am (Tuesday – Thursday)
12:00 am – 3:00 am (Friday)
11:00 am – 3:00 am (Saturday)
12:00 pm – 12:00 am (Sunday – Monday)
Price Range: £6 – £20
Conclusion
Manchester always proves that you don’t need deep pockets to have a great night out. Whether it’s sipping cocktails from a teapot at Simmons, catching a soul set at The Blues Kitchen, or dancing under disco balls at Salt Dog Slim’s, the city offers plenty of exciting times for a couple of dollars. Proving, like it always does, that a price tag need not spoil your fun.
