20 Stories sits at the top of the No.1 Spinningfields tower and the first thing you notice is the view. Panoramic windows and a wraparound terrace give you Manchester from every angle – cathedral, Beetham Tower, the hills beyond. The outdoor terrace is the real prize. Heated, covered in parts, and genuinely one of the best places to drink outside in the city. When the weather cooperates it’s hard to leave.
The restaurant is run by D&D London, the group behind some of London’s best-known dining spots, and the food reflects that pedigree. Modern British cooking with proper technique – grilled meats, seafood, seasonal dishes that actually taste of what they’re supposed to. It’s expensive but the quality justifies it more than most high-end Manchester restaurants. Sunday roast up here is a proper event.
The bar area operates separately from the restaurant and you don’t need a dinner reservation to drink. Cocktails are well-crafted and the wine list is serious. Prices are high – this is top-floor Spinningfields, not a back-street boozer. Dress code applies and the crowd is dressed accordingly. Booking is essential for the restaurant and strongly recommended for the bar at weekends. 20 Stories competes directly with Cloud 23 for Manchester’s best high-rise drinking and honestly wins on the strength of that terrace alone. A properly special night out.
