Smoke & Pepper (Manchester Tib St)

You'll smell the smoke before you see the venue - that's how you know they're doing it right. The narrow space fills up fast with office workers and Northern Quarter locals who've clocked that this is some of the best American-style BBQ in the city centre. The brisket here has that perfect pink smoke ring and melts apart with a fork, while the pulled pork actually tastes like it's been smoking for hours rather than reheated from a bag. The bourbon list is properly curated - none of that Jack Daniel's nonsense - and the staff know their way around a recommendation. It's cramped, sure, but that just adds to the atmosphere when you're elbow-deep in ribs and trying not to drip sauce on your neighbour.