The Rat & Pigeon is a pub in Northern Quarter, Manchester. Rated 4.7 stars from 273 Google reviews. Known for hand-pulled ale selection and staff and atmosphere. Best for pint and conversation and group drinks. Ranked #11 of 15 in Northern Quarter.

The Rat & Pigeon
Verified Venue

The Rat & Pigeon

Pub
4.7(273 reviews)
United Kingdom
Back to Northern Quarter

Zone Ranking

Ranked weekly from live Google review data

#11/15

in Northern Quarter

Holding steady

Quick Verdict

A proper boozer with real ale selection and character. Locals are returning repeatedly—4 visits in, still coming back.

Book if...

You want a pint of well-kept cask ale, live indie music, and a pub that's actually got history (literal and architectural) rather than theme-park nostalgia.

Best for:
Pint and conversationGroup drinksLive music nightsAle enthusiastsAfternoon drinkingDogs welcome

About The Rat & Pigeon

The Rat & Pigeon is a corner pub on Back Piccadilly in Manchester's Northern Quarter, rebuilt from the bones of Mother Mac's—a local institution with a dark history that the new owners haven't shied away from. It's a small, old-fashioned space with original architectural details left intact: cellar trap doors, double-doored side entrance, untouched male toilets. The bar stocks hand-pulled cask ales (Vocation's Bread & Butter among them), lagers, cocktails, and wine. Staff are consistently described as friendly and welcoming. The jukebox is well-curated, and they've added live music from independent musicians to the roster. No food beyond drinks. Dogs are welcome. It fills up by evening on weekends and attracts a mix of locals, groups, and tourists looking for something off Deansgate.

What Stands Out

Hand-pulled ale selection

Reviewers praise the 'great selection of hand pulled beers' and mention specific cask ales like Vocation's Bread & Butter being 'very well kept'. Cask ale pumps are consistently noted as a draw.

Staff and atmosphere

'Great friendly pub with friendly staff', 'lovely staff', 'friendly welcoming staff' appear across multiple 5-star reviews. One regular describes it as 'my new favourite boozer in Manchester' after 4 visits. The rebuilt space 'has embraced the atmosphere of the original establishment' while keeping original architectural details intact.

Live music and entertainment

Reviewers note 'live music playing' with 'a whole host of indy musicians on the line up'. The jukebox is singled out as 'top notch'. One visitor expressed interest in 'catching a gig there'.

What Customers Say

Great friendly pub with friendly staff and plenty of ales to choose from.

David C.

Excellent boozer for a pint or two on a rainy afternoon

Brézé S.

Very nice upgrade with consideration for it's murderous history.

bren

Real quotes from Google Reviews

Practical Information

Contact

The Rat & Pigeon, 33 Back Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1HP, United Kingdom

+44 7507 666758Visit Website

Frequently Asked Questions about The Rat & Pigeon

Hand-pulled cask ales (Vocation's Bread & Butter was noted on a recent visit), lagers, cocktails, and wine. Selection varies—call ahead if you're after something specific.

No. This is a drinks-only pub.

Yes. Independent musicians play regularly. Check their website or call for the current gig schedule.

Yes, dogs are allowed.

There's a wheelchair accessible entrance and accessible restroom.

How We Rank Venues

Rankings are recalculated weekly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this week.

How our weekly rankings work