Sinclairs Oyster Bar
Quick info
About Sinclairs Oyster Bar
Sinclairs Oyster Bar is a pub and oyster bar restaurant in Manchester's Shambles Square, on Cathedral Gates in a building of some age, with wooden beams inside. Mobile phones and digital devices are not allowed, so conversation carries the room, and payment is cash only, worth knowing before you arrive. The kitchen serves oysters alongside pub food including fish and chips. As part of the Samuel Smith's chain, the bar pours the brewery's own beers, among them Taddy Lager, from a short list of a couple of ales. Reservations are recommended, and door staff check ID at the entrance, so bring it. Seating spreads across a large beer garden and tables out front for anyone who wants to eat and drink outdoors, with a further area by the main entrance and more room upstairs. A step-free, wheelchair-accessible entrance helps visitors with mobility needs get in from the square. The doors open daily.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- DietaryVegetarian options
Menu & Prices
113 dishes · mains £1–26- Steak & Ale Pie£12.95
- Sausage & Mash£9.85
- Chicken & Mushroom Pie£11.95
- Cheese & Onion Pie£11.95
- Steak & Kidney Suet Pudding£14.25
- Whitby Scampi£13.15
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, no mobile phones policy, cheap sam smiths lager and roast dinner.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, no mobile phones policy, cheap sam smiths lager and roast dinner.
Customer Review Summary
Cheap, well kept pints anchor most visits, with reviewers naming Sam Smith's Best, the Taddy and organic lagers and calling the value in a central location hard to beat, though several concede the selection is narrow and one arrived to find both ales had run out. Close behind is the no mobile phones rule, which many admire as a push toward real conversation, and which one describes as the reason they could only photograph the outside. Fish and chips draw repeat praise for chunky chips, and one roast eater enjoyed the food while noting the promised pork never came and the pre ordered apple sauce puzzled staff. The oysters get the sharpest criticism: one diner found them chopped into shell fragments, served without tabasco, onions or vinegar, by staff unsure of the variety. Others flag tight indoor seating, a limited menu, and one calls the room dark, dingy and smoky. Several single out a door staff member for calmly handling a drunk man who was groping women.
Customer Review Summary
Cheap, well kept pints anchor most visits, with reviewers naming Sam Smith's Best, the Taddy and organic lagers and calling the value in a central location hard to beat, though several concede the selection is narrow and one arrived to find both ales had run out. Close behind is the no mobile phones rule, which many admire as a push toward real conversation, and which one describes as the reason they could only photograph the outside. Fish and chips draw repeat praise for chunky chips, and one roast eater enjoyed the food while noting the promised pork never came and the pre ordered apple sauce puzzled staff. The oysters get the sharpest criticism: one diner found them chopped into shell fragments, served without tabasco, onions or vinegar, by staff unsure of the variety. Others flag tight indoor seating, a limited menu, and one calls the room dark, dingy and smoky. Several single out a door staff member for calmly handling a drunk man who was groping women.
Featured reviews
- Doğu
“Despite its central location and popularity, the prices are very reasonable. I had lunch here. The service was quick, and the food was fresh and tasty. Good old pub food. It’s lovely to sit outside and watch life go by in Manchester. If you happen to pass by and spot a table outside, don’t think twice.”
- Katie Barnes
“Can't say anything about their oysters or their food, but their beer selection is pretty good and its a prime spot in this fantastic old traditional house dating from the 18th century! We sat outside and enjoyed some rays of sun of the british summer - btw. good to know and great: this pub is a relax and focus on your mates place...leave your smartphone in your pocket✌️😎”
- Hanna Lecka
“Best place ever. As the oldest UKs pub in Nottingham. Yerba ode couriosity shoppe. Highly reccomended. Offline only! Amazing! Just amazing. 11/10. Cant wait to visit again.”
- Sienna Soriya
“Had to rewrite my review, but i just wanted to say the place is great. Such a good place for socialising and Anton the security is an awesome lad to chat to! he does well at his job making sure everyone has their id and stopping them if they don’t, and he has such charisma that is so welcoming. I see him all the time working his long shifts and he does pretty well maintaining proper and is very hard working. May i add he is also sexy🤭Overall the place is welcoming and the staff work very hard.”
- John Southgate
“Definitely wouldn’t go here again - firstly, they served someone who arrived after me, before me. Then they had run out of the only 2 ales they serve, so I had to have a lager. The person serving couldn’t then find the Prosecco for my partner, and took an age. When we eventually settled in a seat, we were told it was a ‘Digital Dettox’ pub, and were told we can’t use our phones. The atmosphere was drab (dark and dingy) and smokey (‘thanks’ to some punters smoking near the open door). Do yourself a favour, and skip this place.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Iconic cash-only tavern with rustic wooden beams, a familiar pub menu & large beer garden.”
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Small plates
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Vegetarian options
Show more amenities
- Bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Offerings· 5
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Dining options· 5
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Historic
- Trendy
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- Tourists
- University students
Location
Restaurants near Sinclairs Oyster Bar
- The Real Greek Manchester4.52,3430 mi£10–20Reservations
moussaka, souvlaki wrap or box, halloumi fries
- Zorbas4.32110.1 mi£1–10Wheelchair accessibleGood for kids
chicken gyros, falafel gyros, lamb shank with rice
- Sam's Chop House4.42,1460.2 mi£20–30Vegetarian optionsGood for kidsReservations
fish and chips, Lowry statue at bar, corned beef hash
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinclairs Oyster BarOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Reservations | 4.33,102 | — | £1–15 | fish and chips, no mobile phones policy, cheap sam smiths lager |
| The Real Greek ManchesterReservations | 4.52,343 | 0 mi | £10–20 | moussaka, souvlaki wrap or box, halloumi fries |
| ZorbasWheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.3211 | 0.1 mi | £1–10 | chicken gyros, falafel gyros, lamb shank with rice |
| Sam's Chop HouseVegetarian options · Good for kids · Reservations | 4.42,146 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | fish and chips, Lowry statue at bar, corned beef hash |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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