Mulligans - Manchester - Pub Reviews

Mulligans (12 Southgate, Manchester, M3 2RB) is often called a “spirited slice of Dublin” in the heart of Manchester. In fact, the pub’s own website proudly notes it as “the city’s oldest Irish pub” – a lineage dating back roughly 170 years. In the 1800s this corner was the Waggon & Horses, a Victorian coaching inn serving travellers and locals, and today Mulligans retains much of that old-world charm. Inside you’ll find dark wood, exposed brick, and vintage Guinness décor, with nightly live music and Guinness flowing freely. The staff take pouring Guinness seriously – owner Pádraig Brady even personally trained the team in the pub’s signature two-part pour – and locals often praise Mulligans for serving “the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland”. The pub has a solid ★★★★☆ (4.0/5) average rating on review sites, reflecting its consistently warm atmosphere and entertainment. For practicalities, Mulligans opens every day at 11:00 AM and stays open late (around midnight on weekdays, and 1–2 AM on weekends), making it a convenient spot any night of the week.

Facilities & Entertainment

Mulligans offers a cosy, no-frills setting where the atmosphere is the main draw. There’s no on-site parking (just street or nearby paid lots as typical for central Manchester) and you won’t find dartboards or pool tables here. Instead, the focus is squarely on people, music and sport. As the pub’s website advertises, “Live Music. Live Sport.” – meaning there’s literally something happening every night. In practice, this means a full calendar of live sessions (from traditional Irish folk to indie covers) and TVs tuned to major rugby and football matches. On quieter evenings you might hear soft acoustic sets; on match nights the crowd roars at the screens. The result is a friendly “communal pub” vibe rather than a silent lounge.

In recent years Mulligans expanded its entertainment space. A 2024 renovation added an upstairs music hall, complete with a high vaulted ceiling, wooden beams, balcony views and two bars. This upstairs area now serves as the main stage for bigger bands and dance nights, doubling the pub’s capacity. Downstairs the bar remains largely “unchanged, untouched and loved” – a snug, low-lit room perfect for intimate acoustic sets or quiet pre-show drinks. In short, Mulligans can handle both a handful of acoustic performers and a packed nightclub feel (or a mix of both) depending on the event. Even when it’s busy, the entertainment is people-driven – guitars and fiddles usually win out over arcade games or massive video screens.

Food on Offer

The menu at Mulligans sticks to hearty Irish pub classics. You’ll find the usual staples: beer-battered fish and chips, burgers with fries, and toasted sandwiches. These are straightforward comfort foods, cooked well. (Vegetarians aren’t left out – there’s often a veggie burger or nut roast option.) In addition, the pub is known to run specials on weekends: for example, a traditional Sunday roast dinner (with beef or a large vegetable roast) often appears on the menu, and customers rave about it when it’s available. One reviewer even calls Mulligans’ fish and chips or Irish stew “must-try” dishes – suggesting that when they cook something, they do it properly. Portions are generous, and the focus is on delivering filling, no-nonsense fare that pairs well with a pint. In other words, you won’t find haute cuisine here, but you will find reliably good pub grub.

A typical meal (fish & chips or a burger with fries) will generally run around £10–£15, which is reasonable for central Manchester. Customers note that the portions and flavour justify the price. As one pub review notes, Mulligans falls into the mid-range (££) pricing category, with pints averaging around £5–£8. Side dishes and snacks (onion rings, loaded fries, wings, etc.) are also available at snack-bar prices. There are no hidden charges – you order and pay at the bar – so tipping is at your discretion. Overall, most patrons say you get good value for the money: honest ingredients and a well-prepared meal rather than trendy frills.

Beers on Tap

Mulligans is, first and foremost, a Guinness destination. The pub dedicates dozens of taps to stout – about 24 for Guinness alone – pouring roughly 13,000 pints a week. In fact, the pub proudly claims to serve “the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland”. Every bartender is trained in the signature two-part pour, ensuring a perfect head and smooth finish. The staff’s pride in their stout is noticeable in every glass. Besides Guinness, you’ll typically find other Irish favourites on draught as well (for example, Murphy’s or Caffrey’s stout when available).

When it comes to other beers, Mulligans keeps things fairly classic. A house Mulligans pale lager is often on tap, along with a couple of rotating lagers or ales (sometimes a continental lager like Staropramen or a local craft IPA). Bottled lagers (Carling, Stella, etc.) and ciders (Magners, Rekorderlig, etc.) are available too. The exact line-up can change, so regulars enjoy trying the seasonal brews. Bartenders know the beer menu well and are happy to recommend something for your taste. Wine and spirits (a solid selection of Irish whiskeys, gin, vodka, etc.) are also on offer behind the bar, but for beer lovers it’s the Guinness and its stout siblings that steal the show. In short, there’s enough variety that most visitors find something they like, but you come to Mulligans mainly for that classic Irish stout experience.

Price Range & Value

By Manchester standards, Mulligans is middle-of-the-road. It’s not a budget dive bar, but it isn’t as expensive as the trendiest city-centre pubs either. As noted, a pint costs roughly £5–£8, and a main meal or pub platter tends to run around £10–£15. Customers generally feel this is fair: the food portions are large and the ingredients are fresh. You’re paying average city prices for a quality pub meal and a great atmosphere. Many reviewers explicitly say Mulligans delivers good value for money (ingredients and service match what you pay for). There is no automatic service charge on bills, so any tipping is up to you. In summary, Mulligans is in the “moderate” (££) range – you might find cheaper pints in outlying chain pubs, but Mulligans’ lively ambiance and authentic feel make the experience feel worth the price.

Customer Service

Expect a warm Irish welcome from the team behind the bar. Mulligans’ staff are repeatedly praised as friendly and down-to-earth. Bartenders and servers often have a chatty, upbeat attitude (even on busy nights), and many regulars comment on how personable the crew is. It’s not uncommon to leave with your name remembered or with a recommendation for the next song. The family-style management takes pride in good service: for example, owner Pádraig Brady still mingles with patrons most evenings. Of course, like any popular pub, things can get hectic. During a packed game or a full house for live music, service might slow a bit (you may need to wait a minute longer for a round) – as one review notes, busy times can mean slightly slower service. Even so, most visitors agree the servers handle the rush with a smile. Overall the impression is very positive: “staff noted for their ability to create a lively and enjoyable environment”. In practice, this means you’re likely to leave Mulligans remembering the friendly banter and good spirits just as much as the drinks.

Events & Special Nights

Mulligans’ events calendar is always full – the motto really is “something’s happening every day”. Live music is the heart of the schedule. Almost nightly you’ll encounter traditional Irish sessions (fiddles, tin whistles, Celtic vocals) alongside acoustic singer-songwriters. Weekends often bring bigger, more contemporary acts: an indie covers band or DJ might play upstairs while a folk trio entertains downstairs. The 2024 upstairs renovation made this possible: that new high-ceilinged hall now hosts the headliners, with the downstairs area still open for acoustic sets or just extra dance floor.

Sports fans have their share of action too. Big rugby internationals and football matches are shown on TVs throughout the pub, and Mulligans gets packed for these (Irish international games draw particularly loud cheering). It’s a common sight to see avid fans in team jerseys, pints in hand, cheering on a match. In fact, the pub goes all out for major sporting events: in past Six Nations or World Cup weekends the bar has run specials and stayed open extra late.

Mulligans also loves a themed night or holiday. It’s famous for its St. Patrick’s Day parties – in 2025 the pub ran a marathon 14-hour celebration with live music on both floors for over 1,200 people. Other times of year see costume parties or quiz nights (for example, a Halloween party in costume) and occasional fundraisers. Keep an eye on Mulligans’ website or social media – they announce most special events in advance. But even on a “regular” night, the combination of a live band upstairs and cheers from the crowd downstairs usually provides more than enough entertainment.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

Mulligans feels busy but welcoming. The pub’s interior carries classic Irish-pub vibes: wood-panelled walls, a long central bar, framed Guinness memorabilia, and even a working fireplace in one corner on chilly nights. Lighting is warm and muted. Regular background tunes (when no live act is on) are often Irish folk or soft rock – it’s definitely a pub where conversations and music mingle, not a quiet lounge. One reviewer aptly describes the vibe as “warm and lively”. In practice, this means you’re just as likely to find locals deep in chat at closing time as you are groups of first-time visitors having a blast.

The clientele is very mixed. Weekday afternoons bring nearby office workers unwinding after work and students grabbing a pint, whereas Friday and Saturday nights see a loud and energetic crowd of young professionals, Irish expats, and sports fans. Tourists also wander in, drawn by the pub’s reputation and authentic feel. Despite the mix of ages and backgrounds, it never feels divided – locals are friendly to newcomers, and strangers become drinking buddies before long. A typical scene might include a middle-aged teacher chatting with a banker over the bar, next to a couple of students and a pair of tourists all swapping notes on the next song or game. The energy level ebbs and flows: quieter around closing time on weekdays, and peaking to a joyful roar during a live song or a crucial match.

That said, the pub is not without constraints. It is quite compact, and on a busy night the space really does feel tight. Tables fill up fast, so if you want a guaranteed seat (especially on weekend nights) it pays to arrive early. The downside of the intimate layout is that there isn’t much elbow room, and it can be noisy. Accessibility is also limited by the building’s age. There are a couple of steps at the entrance and narrow aisleways, so wheelchair or stroller access would be difficult. The pub does not have a large outdoor beer garden – there’s a tiny back alley space for smoking but no formal patio – and pets are not officially accommodated (you might see the odd polite dog once in a blue moon, but it’s rare). However, these factors are minor for most patrons. Once you find a spot and order a pint, the lively buzz and friendly crowd are what you remember, not the lack of parking or pets.

Location & Nearby Attractions

Mulligans’ location is very convenient. It sits on Southgate Street, just a block off Deansgate, in the centre of Manchester. You can’t miss it if you’re in the area: the Deansgate tram/rail station is only a minute’s walk away, and many city-center buses stop nearby. Across the canal to the south-west is the Bridgewater Hall (home of the Hallé Orchestra), and the Science & Industry Museum in Castlefield is just around the corner. In fact, a local listing notes that Mulligans is within about 0.4 miles of the Science Museum and Chinatown, and about 0.6 miles of the Canal Street (Gay Village) district – all easily walkable.

To the east and north are several other city highlights. You can stroll to Manchester’s Chinatown streets in 5 minutes, or continue a couple more blocks to reach the gay bars on Canal Street. Heading towards the Civic Quarter (about 0.3 miles), you’ll pass the Central Library and Manchester Cathedral. The Palace Theatre and Opera House (on Peter Street) and the commercial Spinningfields district are roughly a 10-minute walk. In short, Mulligans is at the crossroads of the city centre; it’s not far from any landmark or venue. After grabbing a Guinness and a song at Mulligans, one could easily continue to a theatre show, a concert at Bridgewater Hall, or a late dinner nearby.

For drivers, be aware that street parking is very limited here (it’s central Manchester), so public transport or taxis are usually the easiest routes. If you’re staying at a nearby hotel or arriving from the airport, the pub is only about 10 minutes by tram from Piccadilly Station. All told, Mulligans’ position makes it an ideal meetup point or last-stop after a day of sightseeing. No wonder locals often recommend it when visitors ask where to experience “real Irish craic” in Manchester.

Overall Impression

Mulligans succeeds brilliantly at being exactly what it sets out to be: an authentic, lively Irish pub in the heart of Manchester. From the first sip you can see why it’s beloved – the Guinness is consistently excellent, the music is energetic, and the company is welcoming. Its popularity is well-earned. As one Manchester guide put it, Mulligans “holds the crown of the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland”. It’s also a spot where “the music is loud, the beer is cold, and the welcome is warm” – truly a recipe for a great night out.

Of course, Mulligans is not for everyone. If you’re seeking a quiet corner or a huge selection of craft ales, you may find it a bit too rambunctious or focused on stout. The lack of space can be a drawback on busy nights, and the limited real-ale options disappoint some aficionados. But these are relatively small quibbles. For most people looking for a genuine pub experience, the positives far outweigh them. Warm service, solid pub grub, and top-notch stout combine with regular live music and sports screenings to create a memorable experience. In short, Mulligans is more than just another bar – it’s a little slice of Ireland transplanted to Manchester. Whether you’re a local, an Irish expat, or a visitor chasing the craic, Mulligans is a place you’ll want to revisit again and again.