Sinclair’s Oyster Bar

Reviews

• Louis R.

  star star star star star 3 June 2026

  Right outside the giant mall of Edinburgh.
  
  The outdoor area is sick. The indoor pub is sick.
  
  One of two historical pubs framing a little square behind one of Manchester's main shopping areas.
  
  If you turn your back to Harvey Nichols and Selfridges you can pretend to be in a medieval market town.
  
  Thousands of patrons drinking ales and being sociable.
  
  Strangers chatting-it-up with locals, taking smack. Love it.
  
  Not one cell phone in sight, everyone's yappin, face-to-face.
  
  Dayum, I'll be back soon

• Aaron S.

  star star star star_border star_border 24 May 2026

  For some reason, Sinclair's Oyster Bar is one of the most reviewed venues in Manchester with this being the business' 97th review which surprised me when I found out about it.
  
  The building is directly opposite the Manchester Arndale in Shambles Square and is a stone's throw away from The Printworks and Exchange Square Metrolink stop, which is pretty handy if you are going to be drinking that public transport is so close.
  
  The building alongside The Old Wellington Inn next store is an old building, however, it was dismantled and rebuilt following the IRA bombing of Manchester towards the end of 1999, but the same overall look remains the same since the pub opened back in 1720.
  
  I have to agree with multiple reviews and say this place just feels touristy now, the staff here just seem similar to a chain pub, unsociable and not too friendly and this is also the default hangout for many European footballs away fans who seem to hang out here before the game and being escorted to the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford, so if there's a UEFA Champions League match in the city, it can get quite lively and busy in the area, which I like as it provides a good and exciting atmosphere, within the past few months PSG and Valencia added some thrills here in recent months to just name a few.
  
  It's a nice building in a good location which feels quite lively on a Champions League match-day while being super close to public transport links as well as shopping and things to do in the city, I feel despite flaws with service and perhaps the "inside" area of the pub, this is one of the nicer pubs to spend a sunny day in Manchester as the seating area is a rather nice and sociable area, making it one of the better places to grab a drink in the city, especially compared to nearby pubs which seem to get too smoky where the smell of smoke just gets too over-powering.
  
  3*

• James C.

  star star star star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  I've never actually seen anyone eating oysters here, though I believe they do sell them!
  
  This is a beautiful old timber framed building which was moved after the Manchester IRA bomb. It's wonderful to have a look in all the nooks and crannies upstairs.
  
  Outside seating is very popular though the whole place could do with a good jet-washing. There was a problem with swarms of flies, which is only going to get worse as the weather gets warmer.
  
  I love how they have really random prices such as £2.12 for a pint of 'Taddys' lager or £1.03 for a coke! Very reasonable prices for Manchester City centre, when most bars in this area would charge in the region of £4 for a pint. Service with a grunt rather than a smile, but hey at least it's cheap!

• Mark M.

  star star star star star_border 19 May 2026

  Great little hidden gem in Manchester, England.
  
  Friendly and cozy atmosphere with great bartenders.
  
  And - they have a little hotel built into the place with reasonable rates!

• Natalie W.

  star star star star star_border 17 May 2026

  I've passed Sinclair's a lot and probably because the outside is always rammed it never occurred to me that the inside might be full of delightful snugs and cosy corners. It's great to come here on an early weekday night when it's quiet and you have your pick of the place. The Sam Smith's ales are decent, not great, but are legendarily cheap so no complaints. They have cider on tap as well. I would definitely avoid when it's busy (sunny, weekend) because it seems to be obnoxiously rowdy but it's definitely on my list now for quieter moments.