Star & Garter

You'll find yourself on Fairfield Street in a place that feels like it's been here forever—because it has. Star & Garter is that rare Manchester bar where you're not paying £15 for a cocktail with edible flowers, and where the clientele ranges from post-work city types to genuine locals who've been coming in for years. The vibe is unpretentious and warm; it's the kind of place where the bartender will remember what you drank last time and probably chat to you about football. It's got proper character without trying too hard.