There’s something inexplicably exciting about rooftop bars. Something decadent about sitting on a summer’s day, overpriced cocktail in hand, overlooking the unfortunate, non-rooftop dwellers going about their lives down on the streets. One may guess that London, with its endless skyscrapers and iconic skyline, would be the best place to enjoy this simple luxury- but one would be wrong.
A new ranking has revealed that the UK’s best rooftop bar, and the fifth best rooftop bar in the world, is actually in Manchester. Mandoe Media compared the cost of drinks, TripAdvisor ratings, and Instagram shares to determine the world’s favourite rooftop drinking spots. 20 Stories in Spinningfields beat out bars across the globe for its spot, partially in thanks to being an Insta hotspot.
The company compared the cost of drinks, TripAdvisor ratings, and Instagram shares to determine the world’s favourite rooftop drinking spots.
The bar doesn’t require reservations if you’re just looking for drinks, although they do have a 21+ policy, and a strict dress code. Don’t show up in a t-shirt and jeans, or you’ll be turned away at the door and forced into some other, far lesser rooftop boozer.
Mandoe describes 20 Stories as full of ‘cozy lounges under a canopy of trees with al fresco fireplaces’, and praises its commitment to locally sourced produce. If you’re looking to enjoy a meal overlooking Manchester, make sure to book in advance.
Despite the triumph of 20 Stories, Manchester only boasts one more bar in the top 200, unlike London’s whopping 13 entries, which we covered here. Props to Cloud 23 on Deansgate for representing the North one last time in the 128th spot.
Drinks with Time Out
If you like discovering the best bars your city's got to offer, you're in the right place. We have specialised guides to the best bars, rooftop and otherwise, in Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and pretty much any other city that's worth visiting. We also have a rundown of our favourite rooftop bars in the country, if you're looking for a second opinion.
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