The best Bloody Marys in Manchester

Sometimes you have to return to the pub to cure the sins of the pub. Perfect alongside a breakfast menu that’s available until an extremely generous 4pm, The Bay Horse’s Bloody Mary is a belter, complete with a healthy kick of sriracha, flavoursome Maggi ‘liquid seasoning’ (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it) and lemon for that ultimate citrus tang. They also offer a red snapper with gin instead of vodka – if that’s more your thing, of course.

Bloody Marys are a serious business at Altrincham’s The Con Club, with a menu boasting six variations of the cocktail. There’s the classic, the Red Snapper (with gin) and their Bloody Geisha which is made with plum infused sake, ginger and Sriracha. There’s also the Mexican-inspired Michelada – a long version of the drink  featuring lager – and an alcohol free variety too.

As you’d expect from Kiwi brunch experts such as Federal, their Bloody Mary is rather exceptional indeed. Tangy, spicy and boozy, this thing is perfect alongside some smashed avo or something a little more stodgy and fried, like a chorizo butty. Whichever of their city centre locations you stumble into, they’ll sort your hangover out with a side of that effortless Antipodean hospitality.

The phrase neighbourhood bar gets thrown around a lot, but Henry C in Chorlton is one place where it feels truly apt. A little spot across from vegan grocery utopia Unicorn, this New Orleans-inspired bar is a rather fetching shade of salmon pink, and staffed by some incredibly knowledgeable people. The menu is comprised of signature creations, but they’ll rustle up a perfect Bloody Mary on command, such are their talents. Long live Henry C.

Champions of the humble fried breakfast for some decades now, The Koffee Pot have mastered the art of serving up fried bacon, sausages and perfect eggs to the great hungover masses of the Northern Quarter. Not only this, but they also offer a truly wondrous Bloody Mary to go with your fry-up for that ultimate headache-destroying experience. They mostly stick to the script, with a shard of celery, slice of lemon and a dusting of celery salt around the rim, though they do add a horseradish-shaped kick.

To many residents of Chorlton, there really is only one place to go for savoury, boozy, spicy salvation, and that’s Mary & Archie (it’s somewhat in the name). It’s a pretty-but-casual brunch spot with a great terrace overlooking the comings and goings of Manchester Road. Theirs is a not overly fussy version of the classic – though they will ask you your preferred spice level – and is the ideal accompaniment to their Mexican-inspired brunch dishes on a Sunday morning, or perhaps early afternoon, depending on how you’re feeling.

Available on Sundays at The Refuge, their dill & chilli Bloody Mary is outstanding – and will certainly sort you out in no time. They infuse vodka with dill and chilli, before adding tomato juice, lemon juice and Tabasco. All rather familiar so far. But then they also add a bit of horseradish sauce, and pickle juice – taking this cocktail firmly into the realm of greatness. Of course, their traditional Bloody Mary is outstanding too.

There’s always plenty on offer at the Northern Quarter’s Smithfield Social, day or night, fresh-faced or otherwise. The have a dedicated ‘brunch cocktails’ portion of the menu, which features a stand-out classic BM. Plus, they make a point of serving it every day of the week – it’s a judgement free space.

The best of the best? Quite possibly. Opening up rather quietly back in 2021, Schofield’s have confidently established themselves as a must-visit destination if you like to think yourself a cocktail connoisseur. Their Bloody Mary is confidently understated: Belvedere Vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, spice mix, celery, dry sherry, and lemon. When you’re as good as the Schofield’s lot are, you don’t need anything else.

Not satisfied with resting on their laurels, super-cool cocktail bar Stray – which has the enviable corner plot inside Mackie Mayor – have done what they do best to their Bloody Mary. The ingredients read like the contents of a posh deli: pod pea vodka, San Marzano tomato, sriracha, soy, and ginger and celery foam. An exceptional drink for the most exceptional of hangovers.