Picture this: it’s late, post-work drinks are drawing to a close and you’re absolutely ravenous. But nowhere seems to be open.
You’re left contemplating whether you should really have your second Maccies of the week or just go home and concoct something out of the remnants of your fridge.
It’s a well-worn story, and one that many Mancs can relate to. And while Manchester has a rich and diverse variety of restaurants and bars, strict licensing rules mean that some of the city’s most popular haunts aren’t open as late as you might think.
No need to worry though, because as is the case with discovering hidden gems, you just have to dig a little deeper to find them. Dotted across this great city of ours, there’s plenty of options - and not just McDonald’s or a chip shop adjacent to the club. Below you’ll find some inspiration of where to head for that all-essential midnight feast. If there’s any we’ve missed, just let us know in the comments.
READ MORE: The 'cheap eats' in Manchester where you can dine for less than a tenner
China City
This Chinatown staple serves up both classic and lesser-known Chinese dishes until quarter to one, Tuesday through Saturday, with a slightly earlier finish on Sundays. A great stop off on your way home from a gig or concert, especially in a city where seeking out these late night spots can be hard to track down. Whether it’s dim sum platters, big bowls of fried noodles, or a big blowout buffet you’re after, this unassuming eatery ticks all the boxes.
56 Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FH
Crazy Pedro’s
I’m sure many of us have a tale or two to tell about nights spent at this late-night pizza spot and bar - but that’s for another day. Anyway, the main point here is that it’s open to 4am every night, yes you heard that right - 4am every night. Pizzas here are 16 inch so most just opt for a slice and a frozen margs for good measure, but if you’re up for eating your body weight in pizza at 3am, firstly be my guest, but secondly, try Pedro’s World Famous Hot Dog Pizza or The Mac Daddy with mini hamburger, mac sauce, gherkins and shredded iceberg lettuce.
Short Street, Manchester, M4 1AA / 55-57 bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BQ
Archie’s
This ‘Manchester born-and-bred’ burger and milkshake spot isn’t just popular with celebrities like Rita Ora and Nas, but also with late-night revellers thanks to its later opening hours at its Oxford Road (2am Monday - Sunday) and Piccadilly outposts (1am Monday - Thursday, 2pm Friday - Sunday). If it’s a taste of American dining - think burgers, shakes and waffles - you’re after, the pink and white burger joint is just the ticket.
115 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7DU
Happy Seasons
This hugely popular Chinese restaurant, is something of an institution of Manchester’s food and drink scene, and often has queues tailing round the block. It has all the great hallmarks of an authentic Chinese eatery, from hanging roast meats displayed proudly in the front window to the exemplary hospitality shown to all its guests. Ok, so it’s not open quite as late as some of its neighbours (11pm on weekends), but it really does depend on what constitutes a late night, right?
59 Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FF
MyLahore
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Bradford-born MyLahore is a great pitstop if you’re heading home via Wilmslow Road. Open until 1am, your only challenge here will be deciding on what to eat due to its expansive menu. If you don't have enough room for a butter chicken, then their appetisers and light bites like the samosa, chaat and pakora are for you. If a curry is just what you’re after then there’s plenty on offer, from the lamb handi to the traditional jalfrezi.
14-18 Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5TQ
Cocktail Beer Ramen Bun
This uber cool late-night hang really does what it says on the tin, all while serving up the best Pan-Asian flavours. There’s nothing more life affirming than slurping up a delicious bowl of ramen at 1am, especially their crab kare variety, but if you’re after something a bit more portable than the chashu pork belly bao bun is a great place to start. There's some pretty cool cocktails up for grabs as well, like #3 - a mixture of white chocolate liqueur, Lillet Blanc, lemon and cava, so you can keep the party going. CBRB is open until 1am Monday and Wednesday, and until 2am Thursday through Sunday.
101-103 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LW
Three Little Words
This beautiful cocktail bar sits in Grade II-listed railway arches just off Deansgate and has picked up a number of accolades for its knockout drinks selection, with many sourced from the spirit-making operation next door at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery. While food here is only served until 11, that’s still later than most places in town, and menus here have recently been refreshed, with dishes carefully curated to complement the cocktails. With some very tempting sweets on offer, this might be the perfect place to swing by and finish the night if the sticky toffee pudding with rum caramel and honeycomb semifreddo is anything to go by.
12-13 Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP
Pepperoni Playboy
Expect the same kind of culinary wordplay if you pick up a slice at YES, the live music venue and bar with its own in-house pizza concession. Serving up fresh slices until midnight weekdays and 2pm on weekends for as little as £1.40, and you can even pair yours with a two for ten fancy drink - the kind of bargain we’re after. If you’re after a no frills slice then 'Gary From Admin’ is for you, or if you’re looking to spice up your life then it has to be ‘Honey I’m Hot’ with mozzarella, salami, nduja, red chilli and honey.
38 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DB
Players
Wings, burgers and milkshakes might just be the perfect way to soak up a night out in town, and this laid-back eatery just across from Piccadilly Gardens has just about everything you could want from a late-night bar-meets-burger joint. The menu riffs off sporting jargon like Boundary Line milkshakes and Runner Up Beef Burgers, in a little nods to its sports bar concept. Did we mention there’s waffles too? Plus cookie dough and milkshakes if you’ve got a sweet tooth.
1 Portland St, Manchester M1 3BE
Bunny Jackson’s
With wings as cheap at 25p a pop, plus £3 pints and bottomless brunch, it takes a strong-willed person to walk past this Manchester dive bar. Get your fill of burgers, dirty fries and all manner of delicious sides before 10pm, afterwards it switches over to hot dogs until the early hours. Some of you might have heard whispers about their Hotter Than The Sun wings challenge, which really isn’t for the faint hearted, though win or lose, you’ll still bag a t-shirt.
1 Jack Rosenthal St, Manchester M15 4RA
Southside Tequila Joint
A neighbourhood bar and hangout in the bustling heart of Withington village, here, the name of the game is £1 tacos and plenty of tequila until late. Who ever said the burbs don’t know how to party was wrong - just take a look at the tequila and mezcal selection. Naturally, you’ll also be able to get your fill of tequila-based cocktails, whether it's a classic or frozen marg or a grown-up El Diablo. There’s not just plenty of tacos on offer either, you can also nibble on loaded nachos and chips and dips.
447-449 Wilmslow Rd, Withington, Manchester M20 4AN
Annies Dessert Cafe
Probably one of the bougiest dessert shops I’ve come across, Annies in Chorlton is great if you’ve got a hankering for something particularly sweet, and the cookie dough in your freezer isn’t cutting it. This bright pink dessert emporium, with ‘live laugh love’ style signs adorning its walls boasts an extensive menu - from American waffles and crepes, to pancakes and cheesecakes. There really is something for everyone - just don’t wolf down your Ferrero Rocher Waffle topped with Cadbury flake - this is a dessert to consume at a leisurely pace. Open until 12pm on Friday and Saturdays.
422 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 8AD
Chakalaka
Bringing a true taste of the Cape to Manchester’s Northern Quarter, this South African tapas bar and kitchen is bringing soulful small plates to the city. Try the Frikkadel - lightly sourced South African meatballs with homemade tomato and onion sauce - or the Bunny Chow - curry in hollowed-out bread - and while you’re there grab a delicious own brand lager. The kitchen closes at 10pm on weeknights but stays open until 2am on Friday and Saturday.
105a Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LW
Mughli Charcoal Pit
Mughli has been serving up halal Indian soul food and twisted cocktails around its open charcoal pit and tandoor on Manchester’s Curry Mile since 1991. Expect fat-still-sizzling meats, freshly baked tandoori breads and plenty of fresh street food. There’s some great meal deals to be had here too, like the Tuk Tuk Thali or Holy Cow Thali, while the cocktails such as the Railway Espresso Martini and The Lazy Pornstar are too good to pass up.
30 Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme, Manchester M14 5TQ
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