Rooftop bars and terraces in Manchester

Manchester rooftops are a summer sport with a winter tax. Almost every terrace in the city charges a premium of £1 to £2 a drink over the same operator's ground-floor bar, and the ones with a skyline view charge more again. The view is usually worth it once; the price is worth knowing before you commit to a round.

The clusters are Deansgate and Spinningfields for skyline views, the Northern Quarter for smaller roof terraces above independents, and Ancoats for the newer developments. Most take bookings from April, and the good ones are gone by Thursday for any weekend the forecast is dry.

One practical note: a covered, heated terrace is a very different proposition from an open roof in Manchester. Check before booking anything between October and April.