Salt Dog Slims

Beneath a neon sign on Bow Lane, just off Albert Square, Salt Dog Slims is a dive bar that knows exactly what it is. Big on energy, low on pretence, this American-style basement bolthole combines a deep love of beer, cocktails, chilli dogs and rock ’n’ roll, with the kind of unhinged entertainment that makes it impossible to forget.

A sibling to the Liverpool original, the Manchester outpost opened in 2021 and has made a name for itself with its chaotic, carnival-like atmosphere and proudly eccentric programming. The space is industrial but playful, all mood lighting, clashing colours and a custom beer vending machines slinging drinks long into the night. Regulars will tell you: it’s the kind of place where you come for a ‘quick one’ and stumble out hours later after an impromptu karaoke stint with a live band.

Speaking of which, Thursday night’s Jukebox Hero is one of the city’s most anarchic weekly events – live band karaoke where the songbook spans Prince to Pantera and the crowd never holds back. On the first Tuesday of every month, it’s Steins, Brines and Question Times, a long-running pub quiz that ditches the traditional trivia format in favour of ridiculous rounds (think: toilet roll mummies, interpretive dance-offs) and absurd prizes (we’re talking toasters, penis- and Tesco meal deals).

But don’t let the antics fool you. This is a bar built by bartenders, and the drinks menu proves it. Expect a punchy lineup of original and classic cocktails, world beers by the bottle, and frosty German lagers served by the stein. The hot dogs – notably the OG pork number stacked with mustard, ketchup and crispy onions – are ridiculously good value, particularly during Happy Hour (Sunday to Thursday until 8pm).

It’s raucous, it’s ridiculous, and somehow, it’s also one of the best places in town for a genuinely great drink. Salt Dog Slims is open seven nights a week and doesn’t take itself too seriously — which is precisely the point.