Manchester is a rainy city, we all know this.
Pre-pandemic, we'd accepted our damp fate and built restaurants, pubs and bars to be mostly indoors, in cosy and dry settings.
The city centre has never had many beer gardens to visit, until the last year when outdoor spaces were found to be significantly safer.
Now, entire roads have been closed to make way for pop-up beer gardens and restaurants have spilled out onto pavements and car parks to be able to reopen.
Here are some of Manchester's most weather-proof beer gardens to visit.
The Refuge
The Refuge's restaurant space is one of the grandest in the city, including its indoor conservatory bar, but they've spilled out into Waterhouse Way too.
A huge canopy has been hoisted into place overhead, with patio heaters aplenty.
And thanks to its location sandwiched between two buildings, it's pretty wind-proof too. Perfect.
Oxford St, M60 7HA | refugemcr.co.uk
Hatch
Rain covers don't come much sturdier than this - most of Hatch is sheltered by the Mancunian Way overhead.
Even the parts of this outdoor street food venue that were exposed to the elements have been covered with temporary shelters and heaters to make it Manchester-proof.
You'll find a great mix of independent street food operators as well as small local retailers here, each one occupying a colourful shipping container.
103 Oxford Rd, M1 7ED | hatchmcr.com
Ducie Street Warehouse
This huge spot near Manchester Piccadilly has spent the last lockdown building a south-facing terrace behind its former warehouse building.
Although it's a real suntrap when the weather is right, it's also sheltered by giant, Riviera-striped umbrellas when the rain begins.
There are patio heaters dotted all over the place to keep you warm while you tuck in to a menu of flat breads and small plates.
Ducie St, M1 2TP | duciestreet.com
Escape to Freight Island
Situated on a largely disused patch of land behind Manchester Piccadilly, Escape to Freight Island was purpose-built for Covid times.
Tables are socially distanced, the street food line-up is top notch, and sheltered areas are aplenty.
The venue has added a new greenhouse-style marquee to keep extra toasty whatever the weather too.
11 Baring St, M1 2PZ | escapetofreightisland.com
Boujee
Over on Bridge Street in this wash of hot pink is a restaurant and bar that's as covered as it's possible to be without being indoors.
Operated by Real Housewives star Lystra Adams, the Instagram-friendly venue is heated, covered, and lavish.
Perfect for getting dressed up and throwing off your big coat.
44 Bridge St, M3 3BT | boujeerestaurantandbar.co.uk/boujee-manchester
Ramona
One of our favourite things about Ramona - a hip new venue that's been built in an old MOT garage - is that warmth comes from fire pits here.
Part childhood camp fire, part Love Island, visitors sit around on wooden tables beneath a teepee-style canopy.
The food here centres around Detroit-style pizza slices, tater tots, and margaritas to wash it all down.
40 Swan St, M4 5JG | takemetoramona.com
YES
It's one of Manchester's coolest venues and, in normal times, a hotbed of live music and late-night clubbing.
For now, YES has had to close most of its three-storey venue and shift into the car park instead, where a sheltered beer garden has been built.
Its rooftop terrace is open too.
38 Charles St, M1 7DB | yes-manchester.com
Sunset by Australasia
Sunset is one of Manchester's prettiest bars, all flower walls and twinkling white lights and pink cushions.
It's toasty warm and under cover, and serves a south-east Asian inspired menu of sushi and small plates.
They're also doing bottomless lunches.
1 The Avenue, M3 3AP | sunset.uk.com
ABC Taproom
This is another venue that's completely sheltered by its location, situated under the railway arches behind Manchester Piccadilly.
Alphabet's Brewery taproom has a few patio heaters dotted around too.
99 N Western St, M12 6JL | alphabetbrewing.co.uk/pages/taproom
20 Stories
The solution for Manchester's less-than-favourable weather? Giant, massive umbrellas.
Although 20 Stories' roof terrace is the highest spot open in the city centre, it's sheltered on all sides by giant glass walls - all the views without the gales.
NO. 1, 1 Hardman Square, M3 3EB | 20stories.co.uk
