The Best Drinks Reception Venues in Manchester

Manchester is a friendly city that is always up for the party, so there's no better place to host your next drinks reception. The city is awash with quirky venues that can lend your occasion their own unique character, from cosy cocktail bars to cavernous concert halls and everything in between.

A drinks reception is a great way to host your guests. It allows you to mingle, network and socialise. It may be that you’re launching a new product, celebrating a success or simply want to connect with clients, colleagues and friends.

What to think about when planning a drinks reception

Planning a drinks reception in Manchester? There are plenty of venues in the city with great spaces for welcoming guests. Here are some things to think about when you're looking at venues:

1.How much space do you need? If you want guests to be able to move around freely, take into account any catering or entertainment requirements and make sure there's plenty of room.

2.What is the vibe that you’re going for? Is it a smart gathering or something more casual? Ensure that the venue has an ambience and facilities that will match your mood.

3.How do you want the event to flow? A drinks reception is a great opportunity to socialise, so make sure guests have space to mingle and chat as well as eat and drink.

4.What food and drink options do you want? Some venues will have their own caterers or bar, while others will let you bring in your own suppliers. If this is important for your event, check what’s on offer before you book.

Out top three venues for hosting a drinks reception in Manchester

Manchester is a great city for hosting a drinks reception. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or simply having a get-together with friends and family, this list of some of Manchester’s best bars and venues will give you plenty of inspiration.

Our three favourite venues in Manchester for hosting a drinks reception are Bab, Whitworth Locke, and Manchester Art Gallery.

Bab is the perfect venue for your drinks party to be paired with wonderful food.  They also host regular events including live music, quiz nights, and film screenings – so there’s always something going on at Bab.

Whitworth Locke is a stylish workspace and has many options of spaces for hire. 

Manchester Art Gallery is one of our favourite museums in Manchester, and they also happen to have a great bar that can be booked privately for parties or events.

Booking a venue with VenueScanner

Browse our selection of venues for drinks receptions in Manchester and favourite everything you like by clicking the heart icon. That way you’ll keep track of everything in your shortlist and from there you can send out all your enquiries at the same time. With VenueScanner you get to compare all your venue options without having to do all the hard work. 

More help

Don’t worry if you’ve not found the perfect venue yet. Our concierge is always happy to help you with your venue search every step of the way, completely for free. You can also have a look at venues for drinks receptions in other cities like London, Liverpool, or Leeds.