Where to get the best pint of Guinness in Manchester

There’s an art to pouring the perfect pint of Guinness, Ireland’s celebrated world famous tipple. These bars in Greater Manchester know the craic.

If you thought you could just tilt the glass and pour it like any other pint, think again. A pint of Guinness can’t just be served in any old glass, either. It has to be a “tulip glass” due to its flower-like shape.

With Guinness, patience is a virtue.

The proper way to pour Guinness is a two-part pour. Pour two thirds (or the top of the harp if you’re using a proper Guinness glass) at a 45-degree angle and let it settle for a good minute before pouring the rest nice and slowly.

And if your Guinness is good enough, there’s no time for decorating the head with a shamrock.

Guinness enthusiasts will do what they call a “tilt test” whereby they tilt the glass to check the poise of the head. If it stays upright and forms the shape of the glass then it’s good. If it just pours down the side of the glass, then it’s not.

So why is Guinness so popular in Manchester?

It’s believed that around one in five Mancunians can claim Irish heritage and Irish ancestry remains deeply rooted across the city region, with second and third generations carrying the torch to ensure its much-loved culture remains evergreen.

The best Guinness in Manchester

Mulligans of Deansgate, Manchester

Mulligans of Deansgate isn’t just a Manchester pub just off Deansgate. It’s an institution. And the jewel in their crown is a proper pint of Guinness.

“The creamy crown on our Guinness is not just a pour. It’s a masterpiece,” says the bar manager. “Who needs art on the walls when you’ve got this in your glass?”

In fact, the Guinness is so good here that Dublin-born social media personality, Darragh Curran aka The Guinness Guru, claims it’s “the very best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland.

“It tastes like home,” he says after taking a big swig.

“If I went into one of my top five pubs in Dublin and I got this I probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid. It’s unbelievable.”

Mulligans regular Danny says “At almost £8 a pint, it’s certainly not the cheapest, but you’re never disappointed.”

Like a good trip to Dublin, where you can’t go in a pub without a good knees up, Mulligans puts on daily live music performances from 4pm every day.

The Station Hotel, Didsbury

The Station is a small but hard to miss pub on the corner of Wilmslow Road and Norgate Street in Didsbury. The first thing you notice when you walk in apart from the old fashioned wooden pillared bar are the traditional Guinness taps.

Nestled between Domino’s and a row of terrace houses, it’s also one of the checkpoint pubs on the Didsbury Dozen bar crawl.

And at £5.20 a pint, it’s considerably cheaper than some of Manchester’s more talked about Irish pubs. What’s more, to add further value to every sip, they host live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The New Oxford, Salford

The New Oxford is located on Bexley Square off Chapel Street. Recently refurbished to mirror its Victorian roots, it’s not only one of the best looking traditional boozers in the city region but it also pours a great pint of Guinness.

With Irish roots, over 70 whisky choices and a vintage tap shipped straight over from Temple Bar in Dublin, a pint of the black stuff in this place is just as decent as the decor.

Fear not, the price for a pint of Guinness does not compare to Temple Bar.

Kennedy’s Irish Bar, Altrincham

Kennedy’s Irish Bar diagonally opposite Altrincham Market only opened its bright red doors in 2021 but don’t let the short term fool you. This place is really well established and well loved by locals – especially for an authentic pint of the black stuff.

So what makes their Guinness so good?

“We clean the lines every week,” says manager Adam Richardson. “The old style Guinness glasses have their own dedicated glass washer and we only use water to clean.”

If that’s not enough to tempt you in it’s only £5.65 a pint – or £4.50 between Monday-Thursday up til 7pm. And when you consider some places sell it at circa. £8 a pint, that’s definitely a bargain.

The Dockyard, MediaCity

MediaCity’s original local and still the life and soul of the area, The Dockyard is a top ale house with the largest rotating selection of craft beer and ale in the area, but don’t sleep on their pint of Guinness.

Known as a great place to watch live sports on Sky and TNT Sports across multiple TVs and a big screen, it’s the perfect spot to catch a match with a pint of the black stuff in hand. And if you’re heading to Old Trafford, it’s just a ten-minute walk — ideal for pre-match pints and food.

Speaking of food, their kitchen is run by Thief Street, serving up Asian-inspired fried chicken, alongside veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options — because nothing goes better with a Guinness than good grub.

Looking for a bit more craic? They host Quiz and Open Mic Nights on alternating Wednesdays, and live music on the last Friday of every month — turning a casual pint into a full night out.

Address: DockHouse, MediaCity, Salford, M50 2EQ

Peveril of the Peak, Town Centre

A historic city centre boozer, the Peveril of the Peak isn’t just one of Manchester’s most beautiful and iconic pubs, but also one of its most unique, with a rich and fascinating history to match.

Run by one of Britain’s longest-serving landlords, it’s worth visiting just to admire the bold green tile-clad exterior and stained glass windows. But once inside, you’ll want to stick around for a properly smooth pint of Guinness in a setting full of old-school charm.

The Castle Hotel, Northern Quarter

Located on Oldham Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, The Castle Hotel is a prestigious, lively and popular bar with a long history dating all the way back to 1776 . The Castle Hotel is a go-to spot for a top-quality Guinness with pours that have even been officially accredited.

This real ale favourite is packed with cosy corners, a small beer garden out back, a great jukebox, and even a gig room where you can catch live local music, all best enjoyed with a pint of the black stuff in hand.

Edinburgh Castle, Ancoats

The elegant Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats definitely deserves a very honourable mention for its Guinness pour.

A refurbished Victorian boozer, this place has fast become known not only for pouring one of the best pints of Guinness in town, but also for serving up some of Manchester’s best food — including the city’s most elite chip butty.

With a stunning upstairs restaurant and a proper pub atmosphere downstairs, it’s the perfect spot to settle in for a great pint and a great meal. Trust us.

Cheers!