Sammy’s Bar in Manchester

Owner rude and misogynistic - you can queue but it doesn’t matter if you don’t fit the type. A shame because could be a great gimmick. Unfortunately the owner doesn’t add up to any positive endorsement.

All the one star reviews are an accurate depiction of the place.

The owner Sammy is aggressive, rude and picks and chooses who he wants to come in on a personal vendetta/ how much ‘respect’ you show him. One of the rudest encounters I’ve ever had at a club entrance. He told me to ‘drop the attitude’ and ‘stop rolling my eyes’ (even though I wasn’t at all) or he’d not let me or my friends inside. Also very mid inside - big queue for drinks and only one toilet which you can imagine is a nightmare on a busy weekend. Avoid at all costs.

Uncomfortable experience for women in this bar. After saying it was not fair that a large group if 16 year olds who were allowed to skip the queue for knowing the bar guy our group who queued for half an hour were told to find another bar by the owner. Rude and harassing attitude to those involved

Saw a rate in there and none of the staff were surprised. No attempt to get the rate out. Awful place, do not recommend.

simply impeccable - incredible dj, sound people (both sides of the bar) and delicious drinks. a must for any night out in the centre

If you dont leave 5*, then you aren't supposed to be at Sammys

Awful and sexist way of running a bar. Only allowing girls in and turns boys away just because they are men, even if it means splitting up the group. Sammy who owns the bar is one of the rudest owners I have ever encountered in the 6 years I have lived in Manchester, clearly loves an ego trip. Maybe go over to Romona or Firehouse, much better vibes and friendly staff!

No boys allowed. Young Girls just walk up and walk in - guys rejected at the door Young girls only. Owner is creepy as hell - felt completely unsafe when he was all up in our personal space. Weird room in the basement (used for illegal activities and girls to take a dump when they can’t be bothered waiting for the toilet in a grid in the corner) Avoid - Sammy is a red flag and so is the venue

Been here before with girls and had a fine experience, had read reviews saying don’t come with guys and now I understand. Came with three girls four guys, after one drink order he came over and said we needed to leave after our drinks and would refuse to serve one of the guys in our group for being too drunk - our friend was not drunk so we were all super confused but thought nothing of it and agreed, seems when we didn’t get a reaction he didn’t like that so came back over to say we can’t finish our drinks and get out immediately instead? Genuinely so perplexed. The most bizarre bar experience ever. In hindsight of my nights here I get the impression he wants the place filled with mainly girls, half his age.

Listen to the awful reviews the owner is aggressive you are not welcome if you are not a 20 year old female. We have never been treated so terribly anywhere AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!

Sammy is vile, don’t bother going

Queued for half an hour, got to the front only for the owner to let 20 people in who hadnt queued and were 20 years his junior. The owner lets people in himself on a case by case basis. Proper ego trip. Not about that. Wouldnt be in a hurry to head back.

If I could give this ‘establishment’ a rating worse than 1 star I absolutely would. We went out for a special occasion in Manchester and were recommended by people we’d met on the night to give ‘Sammys’ a try. Worst decision I think we could have made. Owner perfectly happy to allow potential customers who have waited for over 35 minutes at the front of the queue IN THE RAIN to continue waiting if you as a CUSTOMER do not pass the owners ‘test.’ All the while letting scores of people behind us in? Owner’s excuse was that he looks after his ‘friends.’ Difficult to believe they were ‘friends’ in any meaningful sense of the word as people in the queue, who he then let in, told us that the he was the worst thing about the place. We were not rowdy or rude in any way and remained patient throughout the whole situation but these kinds of self important power games are alien to us. If you queue up for a place, get to the front of the queue and are being sound, you should simply get let in. At least we will know for next time to avoid this place completely. The experience would have been worse if it were not for the many other fine bars and clubs in Manchester that do let customers in when they reach the front of the queue, without any arbitrary games from the owner. I also echo the other (honest) reviews from people, the owner needs to look at himself in the mirror. Dictatorial traits are not vogue, they just make you seem unpleasant and rude.

Had a few good nights out at Sammys previously, however the owner changed my opinion on this venue completely. I was grabbed by the neck and thrown out for asking for a single rather than a double at the bar. It seems he likes to have power and will do anything to make himself feel big. After reading all the other comments about how aggressive he can be, I realised that it wasn’t anything I did and he likely has a case of short man syndrome.

Don’t let the proprietor of this establishment’s sweater vests fool you, he’s built like absolute gorilla. Man had to go full Akh on his biceps last time I was in the joint, got a proper nice feel to them, not too hard, they’re just right. Asked him what he was squatting and it was at that point I found myself in the rain. I can barely even remember being transported off the premises, S dog had me out the gaff so fast. Proper impressed with that service honestly, usually takes about two to three men and sniffer dog to get me out a door. Guy’s wham. Spent the rest of the night trying to get over the smoking area wall but to no avail, Sammy twigged me and set his moustache on me. Once that stash comes out, it may as well be all of the pieces of Exodia being slammed on the table in a game of Yu-gi-oh, you’re going straight to the graveyard. Top night, top vibes, top physical removal. Get yourselves down.

Owner is a weirdo who thinks he’s sick coz he owns a bar that looks like a 1980’s cafe and bums off his ‘regulars’ who’s identities rely on wearing baggy pants and smoking roll ups

great little hidden gem staff friendly and early open relaxed drinks later in evening turns into right little rave place

Great bar, fantastic staff. One of my favourite activities is reading reviews from people who didn’t get in.

We came here as a group, sammy didn’t let any of the guys in. Was happy to let the girls in and said to us it’s a ‘private party’. Woudlnt recommend absolute waste of time on a venue that looked great. DO NOT GO

Could be a great place but terrible management. Sammy acts like your best friend but then turns very aggressive suddenly. Also not accommodating at all!! No wines, no alterations to drinks and very expensive. Go if you want to be chased out by the manager and yelled at across the street.

Proper fun night. Brought a group of guys from Berlin (bar set high) and we turned up at Sammy’s. Welcomed with open arms. Drinks are great, music was a vibe and the staff were sound. Nice to come home and have a night out like this.

Similar story to other reviews on this place. Seems Sammy is either a guy who loves or hates you. In our case he hated us apparently for not dressing cool enough. You’re not running berghain, it’s a little bar next to a kebab shop. Take a moment and reflect on how you interact with customers, as it seems to be a trend on abusive behaviour.

What a pathetic, horrible, self-indulgent venue. Genuinely feel sorry for people who work there, their intention is to ruin your night. It is just a sad depressing place.

Absolutely love this place. Sammy the owner is the nicest guy!!

Don't go here. The owner is awful. He seems to enjoy ruining people's evenings. I imagine he was bullied at school. I was visiting my son and we went for a few beers. He kicked me out the bar for no reason. When I checked the reviews I saw he has a long history of this sort of unhinged behaviour.

I have to say… I think I may have had the best night of my life. Sammy THE Sammy is a true gentleman, the drinks are second to none and the wallpaper is a retro master peace. Keep doing what you’re doing Sammy - I was surprised after being reccomended the place by his under par brother

Would give 0 stars if possible. Terrible place for a drink.

Do not attend this establishment. I was assaulted by the staff, which left me with a mark on my head.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Wish I had seen the reviews before going in here! Can 100% verify what others have said. Incredibly aggressive staff who attacked and assaulted members of our group for no apparent reason! This place will end up closed down and Sammy in prison for assault!

Place is a joke. Owner only lets his mates in so don’t bother. Embarrassing. “Sammy” is pathetic.

For some reason I googled this place having been several weeks ago and was surprised that my own experience is echoed by so many people! I thought I'd done something wrong to be kicked out (despite at the time having no explanation given, even the doorman was perplexed); but it seems you don't have to have done anything and at the time didn't even realise the aggressive bloke was THE Sammy. I have to concur with the negative reviews, he's on his own and I really wouldn't bother wasting your time going.

best atmosphere, most caring bar staff and all around such a safe space for dancing and feeling comfortable

Been once with my mate and our birds - every drink we bought got the “Tip for Sammy’s girls”. No mate we’ve got our own girls that bleed us dry. Wandered past on another occasion with a mate and got the Berghain “nein” at the door .. think it’s a bad business model that they go for the 80/20 female to male ratio. Who does he thinks spends all the money in these places.

The bar staff were great, so helpful. Great atmosphere, seems like such a safe place for women and lgbt+ community. A great night 🌟

best atmosphere, most caring bar staff and all around such a safe space for dancing and feeling comfortable xx

Such a fun night, staff were so friendly and helpful. If you’re looking great atmosphere that’s safe for queer people would recommend here 👍 really good DJ’s, best to go after 9pm tho

Avoid if you want a good night!!! The owner is disgusting and should be embarrassed with his behaviour, so unprofessional and I felt unsafe. Taking my money elsewhere:)

Awful experience at this bar. The owner is very aggressive and took it upon himself to grab my friend by his t shirt because we hadn’t yet bought a drink. We had not even been in the establishment for more than 10 minutes when this happened. I would suggest avoiding. Sammy was defo bullied at school unfortunately, sorry not sorry.

Always great cocktails and music to match. Staff are 🔥

The place with no board, because it deserves no place in this city. The owner is such an Ill mannered man who doesn’t know how to talk to his customers. He thinks he’s doing a favour on you for serving you over priced average af drinks. There’s an airbnb above their place, and the residents above threw water on us, on complaining it to the owner he acted so indifferent and didn’t do anything about it. Avoid this place if you don’t want to have your worst night in the city :)

I’ve never had a better gin rickey and puppers in the same bar. Good service too.

This place fuckin’ rules. Ambiance is everything. Recommend coming in, ordering a drink and laughing at all these insane 1-star reviews.

The owner was so rude, really erratic behaviour. Very unprofessional and totally unwelcoming. The best part was leaving, the worst part was buying drinks in here that this horrible man would profit from. Avoid avoid avoid

My favourite bar in Manchester. The drinks menu is a beautiful example of the art of simplicity; Margarita, nice beer, normal beer. Shots if you want them. The service is stellar. The staff don’t leave a table unwiped for more than a few seconds, the place is spotless. It’s really nice to see the pride these guys take in what they do. The smile from the owner is warmer than the sun in the gorgeous deck round the back. If you don’t get in on your first time, try another day - it’s often very busy, and they like to keep it as comfortable as they can for the people who got down earlier. If you stay for the DJs later on it can turn into a real party, and you’ll find yourself dancing to a spectrum of really headsy dance music, but be prepared to be singing along to cheesy noughties trance bangers too. It’s ace. Everything about Sammy’s is pure magic. I know it mostly for the late-late nights, but after going early on in the summer too, it’s somewhere that effortlessly does both. Pride of Manchester IMO.

Funny. Saturday night. “Only regulars”, 2/5 of our group (not regulars), got in. Not the place it thinks it is

The owner ruined our night. Got aggressive for no reason, while his jaw was swinging all over the place - he was definitely on drugs while at work.

Quite a cool concept, and they play good music. However your experience will no doubt be ruined by the owner who seems to be riding high on a serious, lengthy power trip. Who’d have thought his job is as simple as picking and choosing who he would like to hang out with and then kicking everyone else out?!

Went in here quite late on, ordered a couple of drinks to which the girl serving asked if we wanted water in a really judgemental tone. Not very welcoming and made us feel uncomfortable as soon as we got there. We accepted the water and went to the end of the bar but were immediately approached by the owner. He asked if his bar staff had upset me and as soon as I started to explain he started talking over me saying it’s their bar policy. I said I wouldn’t want to come back here if that’s the case and he asked us to leave. As we were leaving he kept shouting WHOSE NAME IS ABOVE THE BAR. If you have no personality and your idea of a good night out is sipping water in a outdated hipster environment then you should go here. If you want to have fun and be around nice people, band of the wall and the crown and castle nearby are much better vibes.

Quite possibly the worst experience I've had in Manchester. A washed up owner who is desperately clinging onto his youth, but failing miserably by running his tasteless, soulless bar. Limited cocktail selection and even more limited vibes, this is quite possibly the most pathetic attempt of a bar that the northern quarter has ever regurgitated. And that is a low, low bar. If you're looking for a night of disappointment, poorly made drinks and bad vibes, then head to Sammys.

Sammy is a legend, moved up to Manny recently and if you want good vibes with good people only this is the place to be. Might be a smaller place and not as fancy as your mainstream stuff but I guarantee the vibes are UNMATCHED. DJ'S on point, staff are sick. Genuinely our favourite place in Manchester for a good time ❤️

Low key, top vibe, top tunes, no nobheads

Place is great if you’re bringing good vibes. If you’re not you won’t be let in. Good music, sound people, nice atmosphere in general! 70s decor and lovely cocktails

Stumbled upon this gaff after visiting Ramona and what a hidden gem! Edgy setting with top class beats going all night. Good cocktails too. Will be coming back here to have it off again👌

Amazing cocktails, amazing service and Sammy is a true gentleman! The dj was insane, and we had such an incredible night, cannot wait to return! I cannot recommend this gem enough! 😍😍😍

The owner was very aggressive and made us feel immediately uncomfortable, particularly harassing my African friend, telling him that he had “bad energy”. He went on to further harass my friend throughout the night. We had only come here to meet our friend and this experience ruined our night.

Guy is a notorious creep and everyone should know it. Girls only in there (90%) and heard many stories of him making advances once his selected females have been ploughed with enough free drinks.. be careful

Just got into Manchester from Italy and walked into Sammy’s Bar. Had great cocktails and a bite to eat. Beautiful decorations with very friendly staff. I was told that a D’J is due shortly. I will definitely be stopping here and intend to have a great time.