Coming in second in a recent poll for the happiest dogs in the UK, Manchester is truly a canine’s playground, now made much easier with this week’s trial on letting dogs on the Metrolink.
With a record number of us getting dogs during lockdown, the city’s bars and restuarants have responded in kind by allowing our four-legged friends into an unprecidented number of establishments. In fact, it would probably have been easier (and quicker) to list the venues in the city that DON’T allow dogs in.
Alas, here’s our pick of the very best dog friendly spots in the city centre. Keep an eye out for our lowdown on venues in the suburbs coming soon too…
Alberts Schloss
Schloss is a proper dog-friendly place, the staff are always pleased to see your little doggy and they’ll always make a fuss. Dog bowls are always on hand for the dogs and the food and drink are always top notch as a treat for you.
Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR08
albertsschloss.co.uk
Cottonopolis
One of the finest bars in the NQ. It’s a regular place for a Friday Night Pint after a long week of work without your dog. It’s also a great place to take your best four-legged mate to the boozer. They’ll look great sat on one of their high stools or tucked away in a booth too. The food is brilliant and the beer is top notch.
Cottonopolis Food & Liquor, 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
cottonopolis-nq.com
The Marble Arch
A good old classic pub serving all the classics and seriously good pub grub. You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a country pub on a walk but you’re still in the city centre. Ideal. It’s the perfect place for doggos, where you can both chill out quite happily for at least the full day.
The Marble Arch, 73 Rochdale Road, M4 4HY
www.marblebeers.com/our-pubs/the-marble-arch-inn
Foundation Coffee House
Foundation is a top addition to the coffee places in town and has really great food on top of coffee and some great teas. The atmosphere is chilled and doggos are ALWAYS welcome and staff will always be popping over to say hello.
Foundation Coffee House, Sevendale House, Lever St, Manchester M1 1JB
www.foundationcoffeehouse.co.uk
The Bay Horse Tavern
Perfect for a quiet pint or a few G&Ts in the late evening. Being a good old pub, it’s great for your 4 legged friends. There’s always cracking tunes, darts, plenty of booze related offers and proper, proper good pub grub. Sit bag and relax in front of a crackling fire and let your dog explore the tiles and the outside area.
The Bay Horse Tavern, 35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
thebayhorsetavern.co.uk
The Refuge
Refuge burst on to the scenes with amazing food and even more amazing club nights. It’s an all-rounder with something for everyone. Everyone, that is, including puppers. The stunning setting might just be one of the best places to do an Instagram photoshoot with your dog. Great for a lazy day, fuelled by delicious cocktails. Outstanding Sunday Roasts too.
The Refuge by Volta, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
refugemcr.co.uk
Crazy Pedro’s
Okay so it might not be the best idea to take your little doggo to Pedro’s at 3am in the morning, but most other times are perfectly acceptable, especially down at the Bridge Street location which benefits from a brilliant outdoor terrace. You can sneak your buddy a few scraps of pepperoni off the pizza when nobody is looking – just try to make sure you don’t get too drunk on mezcal and leave the dog there!
Crazy Pedro’s,
55-57 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BQ
Short St, Manchester M1 1JG
crazypedros.co.uk
Mackie Mayor
I’m pretty sure that if you do not have a baby or a sausage dog you have not reached peak millennial and subsequently, are not allowed into Mackie Mayor. I might have made that up, but the point is dogs are everywhere at this trendy indoor food market so you and your four-legged friend will fit in just fine.
Mackie Mayor, Eagle St, Manchester M4
www.mackiemayor.co.uk
The Wharf
We’ve never really seen The Wharf without a dog in it. It’s great, all dogs big and small are welcomed in here with open arms and a dish of cold council pop. The food is good hearty meals and there is an amazing selection beers, gin and whiskeys to get drunk on and embarrass your pet. It’s a proper country pub in the city centre.
The Wharf, 6 Slate Wharf, Manchester M15 4ST
thewharf-castlefield.co.uk
Elnecot
Ancoats neighbourhood eatery and bar offering up a unique range of dishes, all made using the very best in British produce. The food is always on point and it’s a fantastic place to relax and have a bit of grub and some wine. Micheal welcomes any and all doggies to join you while you do this.
Elnecot, 41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ
elnecot.com
Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza
Considered by many to be the very best pizzas that money can buy, with reasonable prices and some great outdoor terraces, Rudy’s is hard to beat. Even better, they’ll let you sit and enjoy your pizza with your dog. Don’t forget to slip the little fella the occasional slice under the table.
@curiouspep
The Black Friar
Doggies are welcome at the newly re-launched historic Black Friar pub in Salford. They’ll enjoy the proper fire in the winter and the amazing terrace out back in the summer.
The Black Friar, 41-43 Blackfriars Rd, Manchester M3 7DB
www.theblackfriarsalford.co.uk
Seven Brothers Beerhouse
The Beerhouse on Cutting Room Square is where you can have a sip of Seven Brothers’ locally brewed ales, as well as tuck into a little bit of grub if you’re hungry; including kebabs and some pretty special burgers.
Seven Brothers Beerhouse, The Ice Plant, 39 Blossom Street, Manchester M4 5AF
www.sevenbro7hers.com
Cask
Just on the way to the New Islington marina, Cask opened up a rather impressive space a couple of years back and they’ve never looked back since. With certainly one of the best beer selections in the city, this place is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys a pint of craft ale, and they always impress with their foreign ones too. There’s also a great terrace outside too for when it’s sunny.
Cask, Cottonfield Wharf, 2 New Union Street New Islington Marina, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6FQ
The Jane Eyre
Woofers are always welcome at this award-winning Ancoats pub and eatery. Serving up an impressive range of drinks, including some show-stopping cocktails, Jane Eyre is one of the city’s best places to sit back and relax after a hard day of walkies.
The Jane Eyre, 14 Hood St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6WX
www.thejaneeyre.co.uk
NAM
Outstanding Vietnamese dishes, many with a unique Mancunian twist, a banging cocktail list and one of the city’s greatest sound systems and basement bars – NAM has a lot going for it and is well worth a visit when down in Ancoats. Oh, and you can add a massive sun-trap terrace to that list too.
NAM, Unit 2, 33 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ
www.nammcr.com
Ramona & The Firehouse
What’s better than thick slices of Detroit pizza, served with tequila cocktails and live music? Enjoying it all with your doggy. Both Ramona and The Firehouse next door are dog-friendly – so get ’em down and let them go wild.
Ramona & The Firehouse, 40 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JG
www.takemetoramona.com
Canto
Grown-up sister of El Gato Negro, Canto is a modern Portuguese restaurant open 6 days a week, and welcoming to all of our favourite four-legged friends. The charming Mediterranean-style tapas includes all the classics and homages to the popular regions of Portugal.
Canto, Cutting Room Square, Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 5DH
www.cantorestaurant.com
Escape to Freight Island
Such a vast space, with a large part of it outside – it would be positively criminal not to let your four-legged friends into Freight Island – so thankfully they’re allowed. With the imminent opening of Mayfield Park next door, this will be an even better spot for your doggie too.
Escape to Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
www.escapetofreightisland.com
@buddyinmanchester
Feel Good Club
Aimie and Kiera, owners of Feel Good Club, are never seen away from their own little dog, and so they welcome any and all K-9s into the Northern Quarter coffee shop, bar and events space. They’re currently hosting Grace Stubbs’ Boneless Brigade for food too.
Feel Good Club, 26-28 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EH
www.feelgoodclub.co
Dog Bowl
Bowling, an arcade, bar and eatery, Dog Bowl has it all, and you can also bring your dog in here too to enjoy the many sights and sounds. Perhaps don’t let them near the bowling alleys though – we don’t want them running down the aisle and causing a mischief.
Dog Bowl, 57 Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5WW
blackdogballroom.co.uk/dog-bowl/
BAB
Gourmet kebabs, mezze dishes, cocktails and more – BAB in the Northern Quarter also allow dogs into their fine establishment. During these sunny days, there’s also a terrace out on Stevenson Square to enjoy.
BAB NQ, 14 Little Lever St, Manchester M1 1HR
babnq.co.uk
@yuliecler
Sugar Junction
Serving a fantastic selection of teas, coffees, sandwiches, bakes and cakes, Sugar Junction also welcomes doggies in at any time of the day. SJ has around 22 signature blend loose leaf teas, including my personal favourite the Northern Quarter Blend, a black tea made with chunks of caramel and hops.
Sugar Junction, 60 Tib Street, M4 1LG
www.sugarjunction.co.uk
@mabel_thecockapoo_
Trof
An absolute institution in itself, Trof is always a very safe bet when it comes to food and drinks, and they have a great happy hour too. Dogs are always welcome, meaning this place is an even better spot to sit, relax and chat, eat some good food, slurp some cocktails and listen to some great tunes.
Trof NQ, 8 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU
www.trofnq.co.uk
Federal
Federal on the edge of the Northern Quarter quickly became one of the cities hottest for brunch thanks to the team poaching, toasting and Instagramming their way into the heart of Mancunians. Open daily from around 7.30am (8am at the weekends) with brunch served all day, and breakfast before 12. There’s also a second spot on Deansgate now, both are welcoming to doggies.
Federal,
9 Nicholas Croft, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1EY
194 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3ND
www.federalcafe.co.uk
@pablosharkboy
Cane & Grain
Ribs, cocktails and wagging tongues. Cane & Grain on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter allows you to bring your doggy to come and enjoy the terrace outside, or the top tunes inside.
Cane & Grain, 49, 51 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
caneandgrain.co.uk
Common
One of the Northern QUarter’s best bars, Common wholeheartedly welcome doggos – and if they’re a fan of pizza – a slice of Nell’s will sort them right out.
Common, 39-41 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW
www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk
@throwme_africkenbone
The Pen & Pencil
Open daily for brunch, lunch, dinner and then late-night cocktails – there’s not much that The Pen & Pencil in the Northern Quarter doesn’t do. Home to one of the city’s best bottomless brunches (where you get bottomless food too!) P&P are also welcoming to woofers.
The Pen & Pencil, Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EJ
thepenandpencilnq.co.uk
DogHouse
With a name like DogHouse – there’s no way that this place won’t let dogs in. There’s the bar downstairs, the hotel and the rooftop terrace – all will let you in with your furry best friend and there’ll be plenty of water and treats to keep them happy too.
BrewDog Doghouse, 18-20 Fountain St, Manchester M2 2AR
www.brewdog.com/uk/hotels/uk/manchester-hotel
@mestizaa
The Koffee Pot
Manchester institution, The Koffee Pot at the top of Oldham Street have been serving the great hungover masses of Manchester for absolutely ages now and they’ve got it down to an art. Be sure to try out their Birria Tacos too!
The Koffee Pot, 84-86 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
www.thekoffeepot.co.uk
Ducie Street Warehouse
An exceptionally dog-friendly venue in the Northern Quarter, your dog can even attend the cinema here – perhaps to watch Homeward Bound or Lady & The Tramp. Native, the hotel upstairs is also dog friendly too.
Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP
duciestreet.com
Flok
With one of the city’s best terraces, right in the heart of the Northern Quarter, it would be ridiculous for Flok not to allow doggos to enjoy a pint too. Just make sure they’ve got plenty of water if they’re going to be in the sun for long!
Flok, 5 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DN
flokmcr.co.uk
@binky_the_cockerspaniel
Alvarium
With easily one of the city’s best beer gardens, cracking cocktails and a soon to arrive kitchen takeover by Abjea Tapas – Alvarium is a great spot in which to take your doggo.
Alvarium, 8 Dorsey St, Manchester M4 1LU
alvariummcr.co.uk
The Oast House
With a huge terrace out the front, as soon as the sun makes an appearance in the sky above, this place gets rammed. They’re also very welcoming of doggies, so you can order one of their famous hanging kebabs and share it over a pint.
The Oast House, The Avenue Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY
theoasthouse.uk.com
Shack
With a pretty cosy interior and a huge menu of pub classics including; burgers, wings and various brunch options, Shack also welcomes your furry friends with open arms! A great destination if you’re looking for chilled vibes and a few bevs.
Shack, 69 High St, Manchester M4 1FS
www.shackbarandgrill.co.uk
Hatch
Set under the concrete marvel of the iconic Mancunian Way, this urban shipping container village is perfect for your doggy – outside but still under cover and with plenty of heaters for when it gets nippy. There’s always a great selection of food and drink on offer every day too – plus regular doggy events.
Hatch, 103 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
