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- I studied then worked in the city centre from 1994 - 2011 and
still pass through each day (and have had nights out in the city
since 1990-ish) so I know most of its pubs and bars well. These
days I usually stick to my favourite Manc pubs but have occasionally
been led into places I wouldnt choose myself!
* 57- Last visit: 2011 - Thomas
Street - newly opened in 2010, assume it's a former shop with one
small room with a sofa by the big window and then just one long
table. Owned by the Marble brewery so several of their ales all
served straight from barrels on the bar. Also a big menu of bottled
lagers from around the world. photo
* ALIBI - Last visit: 2010 -
Oxford Street, large open plan bar in a modern building. Refurbished
and changed it's name in 2010 and started selling real ales, a few
handpumps with Thwaites, Black Sheep and similar.
* ANGEL - see the BEER HOUSE
*
APE AND APPLE- Last visit: 2006 -
John Dalton Street - quite large and down to earth Holts pub.
* AQUA BAR - Last visit: early 90s
- been in it once, dont remember much about it. Just a bar
that's not my sort of place.
* ATHENAEUM - Last visit: 2010
- York Street. Impressive building, inside is one large room with
vast ceilings, ornate features, pillars etc. There's areas of raised
seating and pool tables at the back but a bit run down and attracts
punters who go for the cheap beer and food. Ale wise there are 3
handpumps but nothing exciting, Spitfire and similar but like I
say it's cheap. Note - it's now turned into BROWNS,
been smartened up, think it still sells ale but not been in photo
* ATLAS - Last visit: 2006 - cafe
bar next to Deansgate Station, cant remember much about other than
it seemed an OK place if only it sold real ale, but it didnt.
* BANK - Last visit: 2011 - Mosley
Street - large one room pub/bar in the interesting old Portico
Library building, high ceilings, columns and other and impressive
architecture. Quite smart in style but sells several real ales which
usually includes some interesting guest beers, it's part of the
Nicholson's pub chain. Decent vaule food too. photo
* BALCONY BAR - Last visit: 2004 ? - Piccadilly
Station - a large bar upstairs in Piccadilly railway station, a
big open room plus balcony overlooking the station concourse but
no real ale.
* BAR FRINGE - Last visit: 2011
- Swan Street. Bar with one long narrow room and a back yard outside.
Several changing real ales from small and often local brewers such
as Pheonix/Bank Top etc plus foreign largers. An interesting and
lively place with jukebox and various posters and objects on display
including a real motorbike and rats (not real) strategically placed
around the walls. Also a back yard to sit in, and you can bring
food from the nearby takeaways if you ask. photo
* BARCA - Last visit: 2006
- bar next to the canal in Castlefield, not my sort of place and
no real beer when I vsited. But more recently I hear it does have
some ales
* BASE - Last visit: 2010 - bar
on Charles Street opened in 2010. Seems to be on 2 floors, though
I only saw the downstairs basement bit. Rather plain and bland,
some sofas, TV screens and rows of tables rather like a cafe. No
real ale
* BEER HOUSE [now THE ANGEL] - Last
visit: 2011 - off Rochdale road. This was a basic beer drinkers
pub with range of ales and a jukebox, I only went in 2 or 3 times
before it closed down. But in summer 2008 it reopened and was renamed,
still the same layout in the small L shaped bare floor downstairs
room but smarter and with an upstairs restaurant. It kept selling
ales and over time the number increased, now there's 8 ? changing
beers from small breweries. photo
* BIER KELLER - Last visit: 2005
- basic basement club near Piccadilly, no real ale and nothing exciting
lager wise. More a club than pub with long tables, stage & dance
floor area and open till late with Djs or bands etc. Got a dodgy
reputation but I had a decent night here on my one visit to see
a band.
* BODDINGTONS BREWERY TAP - Last visit:
2003 - modern-ish large brick pub next to Strangeways brewery.
Well it was, what of its future now the brewery has closed? And
do I care?
* BOWLING GREEN - Last visit:
2010 - in the early 90s this was a Greenhalls local near
the Royal Infirmary I used to visit on occasions. Hadn't been in
for many years but when I did revisit found it had been altered
and refurbished, now an open but traditional interior with a pool
table to one side, comfy seating and dining tables to the other
and 3 ales including 2 guests, I had an excellent pint from the
Boggart Brewery, the landlord was friendly too!
* BRANNIGANS Last visit: 2006
- been once, briefly, and I still feel ashamed! I had no say in
the matter and it wont happen again. Vast and ale-less but thankfully
it was devoid of the usual binge drinking hoards on my early evening
enforced visit.
* BRIDGE - Last visit: 2006 -
Bridge Street - aimed at up market dinners. Restaurant at the back
with a few chairs and sofas by the bar. Pedigree and Old Peculiar
sold, I tried it once but not a place to visit just for a pint.
*
BRITONS PROTECTION - Last visit: 2012
- Gt Bridgewater Street, a fantastic interior with a long narrow
front bar and an ornate corridor leading to two cosy, dimly lit
back rooms, perhaps the most impressive pub interior in Manchester.
Has a backyard for sunseekers and smokers. Beers include Robinsons,
Jennings, Tetley and 2 changing guest ales from small breweries.
A huge choice of whiskys available too. Photo
* BRUNSWICK - Last visit: early 90s
- near Piccadilly, went in once or twice years ago, just an average
pub then became an Irish bar and now back to a pub again albeit
one that looks rather upmarket. So I wont be trying it.
* BULLS HEAD - Last visit:
2011 - opposite the entrance to Piccadilly Station on London
Road. One open room but with a raised area and a mix of seating
from high stools to sofas. Several handpumps which now sell various
Jennings & Marstons beers plus other more interesting guests
ales can also appear. photo
* CASK - Last visit:
2012 - Liverpool Rd. Small modern continental style bar which
looks more like a corner shop outside. A little bar room at the
front with jukebox and a more comfortable dimly lit area behind
with sofas leading to a courtyard beer garden. The number of real
ales has increased from 2 to 4 in recent years and they're from
changing micro breweries. A nice laid back sort of place, you can
also bring in food from the chippy next door if you ask first!
photo
* COURTYARD - Last visit: 2010
- Chester St - a large student pub with pool, jukebox, table football
(and real footy on TV screens). Black Sheep and Hydes ale.
*
CASTLE HOTEL- Last visit: 2011
- Oldham St - narrow building with brown tiled exterior. A much
needed refurbishment was completed late 2010. There's a small front
bar room with a big range of Robinsons & related ales and a
corridor which takes you to a couple of back rooms, one a cosy little
room with fireplace, book shelves and piano and the other a large
room with stage for live music, jukebox and an impressive high ceiling.
Usually busy with a young-ish but laid back crowd. photo website
* CASTLEFIELD HOTEL - Last
visit: 2009 - off Liverpool Rd, Castlefield. a big hotel
but the public bar has 3 real ales - one was from Bazens on my visit,
and at OK prices. The actual bar is nothing interesting, just one
large open room which feels like a standard hotel bar as it would
do, but there's a view to the adjacent canal basin and also through
into the sports centre so you can watch people doing energetic things!
TV screens showing sport
* CENTRO - Last visit: 2010
- Tib Street. A 'Northern 1/4' bar with 2 quite small open rooms
on 2 floors, a laid back sort of places with sofas and the decor
is a mix of dark red, wood panels and mock grafitti. 2 handpumps
though just one on during my only visit selling Thwaites, a decent
enough pint
* CHOICE - Last visit: 2006 - Castlefield
- a modern trendy cafe bar type place with no real ale by the canal
basin
* CHOP HOUSE - Last visit: 2010 - Cross
Street - larger than looks from outside, behind the narrow ornate
exterior is a small bar area at the front, a very long narrow room
behind and a dining area at back, all interesting with tiled walls
etc. 3 ? real ales, Black Sheep etc, but rather pricey. Photo
* CHOP HOUSE - Last visit: 2006 -
off Cross Street - the 2nd Chop House, small bar down some
stairs with restaurant area behind. Not as impressive as the other
one, but likewise has a few real ales but too smart and expensive
for my simple spendthrift ways!
* CIRCUS TAVERN - Last
visit: 2011 - Portland Street, a very small Tetleys pub.
The bar has just room for one member of staff to squeeze behind
so a waitress service is often provided to the couple of tiny wood
panelled rooms, the walls and ceilings of which are covered with
photos of customers and Manchester celebrities and sports stars
who've visited over the years. Just Tetleys bitter but a good pint,
friendly service and crisps and nuts often provided free. It's size
means it soon gets crowded but it's well worth visiting if you like
classic pubs. Photo
* CITY ARMS - Last visit:
2012 - Kennedy Street, a cosy little back street pub near
the Town Hall with 2 small rooms, one by the bar and a narrow comfortable
back room, both with bare wooden floors and there's a choice of
changing guest beers from 8 handpumps including interesting small
breweries. Can be full of suits having an after work drink so gets
busy at times. Photo
* CITY PUB - Last visit: 2011
- Oldham Street. It always appeared a rough unappealing looking
place but a change of ownership a couple of years ago has smartened
up the long narrow rather plain interior and introduced real ales,
with 3 handpumps selling beers from small breweries, Acorn brewery
being a regular. photo
* CITY ROAD INN - Last visit: 2007
- impressive looking large pub at Deansgate end of Whitworth Street,
but inside it's nowt special. Went in years ago and again more recently
when a misguided person suggested it, no real ale and a clientele
of dubious characters! But more recently it is advertising real
ales on sale. photo
* COMMERCIAL HOTEL - Last
visit: 2009 - Liverpool Road - a Holts pub/small hotel, I
just called in for a pint when passing once (I hadnt noticed it
before!) Nothing much of note, a decent enough place with quite
a large partly opened out interior.
* COMMON - Last visit: 2011
- Edge St, Northern Quarter - appears to converted from a couple
of former shops, divided into 2 areas with 2 bars. One bar has a
couple of handpumps with ales from micro breweries. The sort of
style, atmosphere and punters you'd expect in a Northern Quarter
bar. photo website
* CORBIERES - Last visit:
2011- small cellar bar on a side street behind Cross Street,
hard to find and it's like being in a cavern with its uneven whitewashed
walls & ceiling [in the past there was a collection of model
lizards climbing the walls - sadly not seen since it was repainted]
. Two real beers, for a long time these were Tetleys & Bazen's
Pacific, more recently from Star brewery and sometimes guests. Good
indie/60s jukebox, can be packed at busy times due to its rather
small size, an unusual and lively place.
Photos
* CORNER HOUSE - Last visit: 2010
- Oxford Road, a bar on 2 floors attached to a cinema but has a
big range of good (but expensive) continental lagers, also decent
food (pizzas and stuff, not pie and chips!). Popular with arty and
media types.
* CROWN & ANCHOR - Last visit:
2011 - nr the cathedral. A large Holts pub with 2 rooms either
side of a central bar. It used to be a typical down to earth Holts
place then became a pub of two halves with one side being refurbished
in a modern smart style with sofas and a dining area while the other
side remained much more basic and traditional with bare wood and
booths to sit in, but now that side had also been smartened up .
* CROWN & ANCHOR - Last visit:
2006 - Hilton St. Open L shaped room with pool table at back
and lounge area at front, couple of ales such as Cally IPA.
* CROWN & CUSHION - Last visit:
2006 -Corporation Street, traditional Holts pub, 2 opened
out rooms one with pool table and lots of boxing memorabilia.
* CROWN & KETTLE - Last
visit: 2011 - Gt Ancoats St, top of Oldham St. Opened again
in 2006 after being closed for many years. A comfortable pub with
3 different rooms round a central bar and 4 ? different beers, mostly
changing guest ales from small breweries at reasonable prices for
the city - now includes a house beer brewed by Greenfield. Both
the large main room and smaller vault have a fantastic high ceiling
with ornate decoration, though it is still in need of some restoration
[a net prevents chunks of decoration falling on your head!]. At
the back is a comfortable lounge. TVs showing sport or music but
only small screens so not annoying if you're not watching, also
a good jukebox photo
website
* DEAF INSTITUTE - Last visit 2012
- Grosvenor
Street - an interesting old building (which once served the purpose
its name suggests) now converted to a bar and music venue on 3 levels.
The main cafe bar area is a relaxed place with various area to sit,
upstairs is an attractive little room with a stage used for gigs.
Sadly no draught ale - hence I very rarely visit (there are bottled
ales such as Brew Dog but over £4 a small bottle!)
website
* DEANSGATE - see GALVIN'S...
* DERBY BREWERY HOTEL - Last visit:
2006 - Cheetham Hill Road - next to the Holts brewery heading
out of the city. 2 opened out rooms with high ceilings, a typical
basic Holts place
* DUKES 92 - Last visit: 2011
-very large canal side trendy and smart bar in a converted warehouse
at Castlefield with various areas including upstairs. Also a large
outdoor area next to the canal which gets very busy on summer eves.
On my infrequent visits it usually has real ale, sometimes from
smaller breweries though expensive! photo
* ENGLISH LOUNGE - Last visit 2009 - High
Street - a large and smart pub, refurbished and semi open plan with
lots of sofas, bare wood, dining areas etc. 6 real ales, most from
more common breweries but there was a guest beer too.
* FAB CAFE - Last visit 2011 - Portland
Street - cult TV show themed cellar bar/club, free to enter until
late evening when there's a small charge. Has 1960s/70s TV memorabilia,
a dancefloor and late on a DJ and decent music. A couple of handpumps
on the bar, sometimes there's no ale but when there is I've found
it varies from common ales like Greene King to beers from local
small breweries. photo
website
*
FLEA AND FERKIN [and now called the FERKIN ?]- Last
visit: 2011 - Oxford Road. In the early-mid '90s I came here
quite often when it was part of the Ferkin chain and brewed it's
own ales. I'd not been in for many years but revisited (not my choice)
to find no real ales. Very much a student pub and with an attractive
interior with a large open room with some ornate features overlooked
by more seating on an upstairs level. TV sport, pool table etc.
* FONT - Last visit 2011 -New
Wakefield Street. Large modern style bar with 2 floors and a mix
of table and sofas spread out on different levels and hidden in
corners. 2 (and now 3!) handpumps with changing guest ales from
small breweries often local or from Yorkshire - unusual and very
impressive for this sort of bar. Also basic but good value food
until early eve. Attracts a student crowd with DJs some evenings. photo
* GARRETT - Last visit: 2005
- Princes Street, ugly 1960s ? building. Was the Old Garrett, a
dark wooden interior and some average ale, refurbished a few years
ago to a modern style with pool table & jukebox - may have one
handpump with real ale
* GAS LAMP - Last visit: 2011
- Bridge Street - a cellar bar reached down steps in a doorway,
there's 2 rooms (one hidden away at the back) with a minimalist
feel, bare floors, fireplace and a few brewery and music posters.
Ale wise there's 2 handpumps but just one ale on my visit, it was
from a micro brewery I forget, very nice though expensive! Various
different continental beers too. photo
* GRAFTON ARMS - Last visit: 2009
- Grafton St, next to the hospital. A brick 1960s? Holts
pub, a very large lounge and seperate games room with pool table
all in a basic Holts style with basic Holts style punters, plus
people from the adjacent hospital - there was a bit of a hospital
smell too! Holt bitter of course and TV sports.
* GRAND CENTRAL - Last visit: 2009
- Oxford Rd, a long open plan room, jukebox, a student/rock
crowd and not somewhere i choose to visit as there's no real ale.
* GRAPES - Last visit: 2006
- Quay Street - large noisy pub full of Coronation Street memorabilia.
No real ale.
* GREY HORSE - Last visit: 2008
-Portland Street, a little traditional one room Hydes pub - more
like a small town back street local than a city centre pub. Photo
* GALVINS - now DEANSGATE - Last
visit: 2011 - Deansgate. Was a traditional basic corner pub
with Robbies bitter. Refurbished and renamed in 2007, it's now much
smarter and is larger than it appears inside with many areas in
different styles including wood panelling and cosier corners to
sit. Besides the bar area there's seating in a corridor which leads
to a couple of back rooms and steps to the rooftop beer garden.
A few ales including interesting changing guests. photo
*HARE & HOUNDS - Last visit: 2012
- Shude Hill, a traditional old pub with a classic listed interior,
lots of wood, glass and mirrors. Seperate rooms include a little
public bar and a piano that still sees action! Holts and Tetleys
on offer. Photo
* HOGSHEAD - (now named OXFORD ?) Last
visit: 2000 ? - Wilmslow Road, was a 2 floor typical Hogshead
pub by the infirmary, since changed but don't know what it's like
as now.
* HOGSHEAD - Last visit: 2004
- Deansgate (now renamed LOST DENE) , in a modern building,
only been in once when it was packed with a young-ish crowd but
had a few ales.
* JABEZ CLEGG - Last visit: 2011
-off Oxford Road nr University. A big brick building with a large
open interior on two levels though also seperate areas and corners
to hide in with comfy sofas. Bare brickwork and plaques on the wall
detailing famous Mancunians, appeals to a student crowd with 2 pool
tables and table football. Several handpumps, the variety of beer
can vary from more common ones to guests from small breweries. photo website
* JOLLY ANGLER Last visit: 2008 -
Ducie St. Small, very basic Hydes pub. 2 rooms, though partly
opened out, either side of the door with the smallest area by the
bar including a real fire and slightly larger area to the other
with a mismatch of old chairs and tables and interesting old Man
City/United photos on the walls. No frills, bare floors, mould covered
toilet walls but certainly unspoilt and unpretentious! On my last
visit there were signs a much needed redecoration was taking place.
* JOSHUA BROOKS - Last visit: 2011
-Charles Street. Open plan bar next to the river, mix of tables,
sofas and armchairs, sport on TV and a few seats on a balcony over
ther river. Also a dance floor downstairs. Has changed a few times
over the years, occasionally selling real ale. But on my last visit
late 2011 I was suprised (and pleased!) to see it's become a real
ale venue with 5 handpumps, 4 being from small/micro breweries.
* KNOTT (was Knott Fringe) - Last visit:
2011 - opposite Deansgate Station, a bar in an arch under
the railway. Room for standing and drinking by the bar with tables
at the back and armchairs & sofas by the large front windows.
There's also a large partly sheltered balcony upstairs. An interesting
choice of beer with ales from the Marble Brewery and changing guests
from little breweries plus many bottled continental lagers. Food,
jukebox and a lively but relaxed atmosphere. Photo Website
* KRO BAR - Last visit: 2010
-opposite the University on Oxford Road, converted to a pub in the
late 1990s with a modern bar and long conservatory type room downstairs
and more traditional rooms upstairs. Only been in once in recent
years, a few handpumps but just 2 ales on - Cally IPA and Thwaites.
It used to have other guest ales and may still do at times and there's
interesting food including Danish stuff.
* KRO 2 - Last visit: 2011
-also on Oxford Road but nearer the city centre, same owners as
above. A large bright modern bar with an all glass front on the
ground floor of an office building, also lots of seating outside.
Regular beers are the likes of Thwaites, Landlord etc and quite
pricey, though on recent visits there's been a couple of ales from
Bury's Outstanding brewery. It also holds occasional well organised
beer festivals when there are many unusual ales at decent prices.
Photo
* KRO PICCADILLY - Last visit: 2006
-Piccadilly Gardens. In a new modern building, very large and rather
sparten open plan room, usual Kro food and beers.
* LASS O'GOWRIE - Last visit:
2011 - Charles Street, a brown tiled Victorian building with
bare wooden floors and brick walls. A narrow main room broken up
with pillars and seating on different levels plus a little room
to one side. 8 handpumps with a mix of common beers eg Black Sheep
and changing guests from small breweries, plus a house beer (the
common beers are overpriced but the guests are decent value!) Food
until early eve. There's sport on TV, a jukebox, live music &
comedy and a new balcony over the adjacent river. Photo website
* LAVA BAR - Last visit: 2006
- modern bar in the Castlefield canal area. Quite small open plan
place, no real ale, OK, but not my sort of place.
* LORD NELSON - Last visit: 2008
- Newton Street. Unremarkable locals pub, opened out inside to one
large room with a stage on one side and a small bar at the back
serving no real ale and a rough group of punters. Wasnt my choice
to visit here and wont be doing so again!
* MARBLE ARCH INN - Last visit: 2011
-Rochdale Road, interesting interior with fancy tiled floor (which
slopes towars the bar!) and walls in the long narrow high ceiling
main room, also a separate small back room. Sells the full range
of organic Marble Beers plus several other good guests. I don't
go in as much as I'd like it's a long way from my work and heading
out of the city centre but always well worth visiting. Decent (though
not cheap) food too! Photo
Website
* MICRO BAR - Last visit: 2010
- Arndale centre, this is a bar inside the food market area of the
shopping centre so the surroundings are not very pub like but there
are several handpumps selling ales from the Boggart brewery and
other changing micro brewery ales, it also sells a good selection
of bottled beer photo
* MILLSTONE - Last visit: 2006
- Thomas Street - basic, opened out Lees pub, nowt special and real
ale had run out on my visit.
* MITRE - Last visit: 2010
- nr the Cathedral -a small modern style bar in the corner of an
interesting old building. 2 handpumps, ales such as Landlord or
Copper Dragon.
* MOLLY HOUSE - Last visit: 2011
- Richmond Street - large old brick building housing recently opened
bars, the ground floor is a traditional but laid back style room
with bare brick walls, wooden floors and dimly lit with huge candals!
Several handpumps including several beers from Beartown Brewery
but not the cheapest ale in town. There are also bars on other floors,
though being in the gay village these are too aleless and flamboyant
for me!
* MOON UNDER WATER - Last visit: 2011
- Deansgate - a vast Wetherspoons pub with a huge open downstairs
room, more seating in a raised area at the back and another big
upstairs area. Some interesing architecture but when quiet it does
feel very empty and on my first visit there was a lack of ales,
poor service and it all looked a bit shabby. More recently there
were a few more interesting ales and a bit more atmosphere. photo
* MOTHER MACS - Last visit: 2006
- down a dark back street near Piccadilly. Tried it once, old,
grim and hidden away pub with bars over the windows. Inside one
quite large L shaped room inside, a bit scruffy with a few old blokes
watching football on TV. Tetleys bitter.
* NIGHT & DAY - Last visit:
2011 - Oldham Street - a bar/cafe/music venue which is free
to enter in the day but costs on evenings when there's a gig so
not sure if it counts for my pub list! And it has no draught beer,
though there's a selection of bottles including an ale or too. I've
been here to see a couple of gigs, and as a music venue it is a
decent intimate place
* NORWEGIAN BLUE ? - Last visit: 2010
- a large modern bar in the Printworks, rooms on 2 floors,
no real ale and not somewhere I'd have visited if it was up to me!
* OAST HOUSE - Last visit: 2011 -
Spinningfields. An unusual place! Opened in 2011, it's apparently
an actual old Oast House relocated from Kent and rebuilt here surrounded
by modern offices and bars. Inside is one room with a high ceiling
and lots of old wood. It sells unusual beers from around the world
in bottles and on draught, while the real ales are served straight
from caskss at the back of the bar (so dont panic when you see no
handpumps, but you may be a bit shocked at the prices - it aint
cheap!). On my visits 2 ales were from Cumbrian Legendary Brewery
and 2 others I cant remember photo
website
* ODD BAR - Last visit: 2011 -
Thomas Street. A cafe bar style place with armchairs, low tables,
arty decor etc and more seats in a small room donwstairs. There's
one handpump on the ground floor bar which has changing beers usually
from interesting breweries, in 2011 a 2nd upstairs bar opened with
more handpumps. photo
* ODDER - Last visit: 2012 -
Oxford Rd. Run by same people as Odd Bar. 3 real ales, generally
from small breweries especially local and Yorkshire ones, though
expensive. There's a downstairs bar and larger room upstairs with
jukebox, sofas and artifacts including 2 huge wooden lizards - worth
a visit to see those and try the ale. When it opened I had some
poor experiences here, such as being stuck at the bar behind dithering
arty types ordering coffee and paying with a credit card and having
friends questioned by officious bouncers, but these days it seems
more laid back and efficient! photo
* OLD MONKEY - Last visit: 2010
- Portland Street, Holts pub in a large modern brick building. Prior
to a refurbishment in 2009 inside was a typical basic Holts pub
with rooms on two floors, now it is modern and bright with a large
open room and not a lot of seating. The punters were a mix of older
Holts pub type blokes but it also seems to have attracted a different
sort of bloke from the nerby Canal Street area. . Photo
* OLD NAGS HEAD - Last visit: 2009
- Jacksons Row - entrances on two streets. A bar at one end
with a couple of ales (Theakstons etc) and a basic seating area
behind, the rest of the pub is a long narrow room with sofas and
booths to sit in. TV screens and jukebox. website
* O'SHEAS - Last visit: 2007 -
Whitworth Street, a big Irish theme pub, no real beer.
* OXNOBLE - Last visit: 2011
- Liverpool Road. A few real ales - Black Sheep, London Pride, IPA
or similar. A smart interior including sofas and wood panelling
with a few different seating areas, these days it's much more of
an up market food pub.
* PADDYS GOOSE - Last visit: 2011
- nr Chorlton Street bus station. An average side street pub with
one partly opened out room, a couple of ales including Robinsons.
Being on the edge of the 'gay village' the clientele is mostly male
and can include rather unconvincing transvestites!
* PARAMOUNT - Last visit: 2011
- Oxford Street, a big Wetherspoons bar with one vast open room,
modern in style but has a mix of seating and some more cosy areas
to sit. An upstairs area too. Usual Wetherspoons fayre on offer
but always with some interesting ales.
* PEVERIL OF THE PEAK - Last visit:
2012 - Gt Bridgewater Street. Distinctive wedge shaped green
tiled building, inside is a small unspoilt multi room pub with wood
panels and stained glass. One room by the bar has table football,
there's a pool room with decent jukbox and a small comfortable lounge.
Often busy, its small size can make it rather crowded in an evening,
but it's usually lively with a good atmosphere. A few ales such
as Landlord, Black Sheep, Cally IPA and Copper Dragon. Photo
* PICCADILLY TAVERN - Last visit:
2011 - London road - a large Wetherspoons style pub conversion
(though it's not one of theirs), one big but divided up room on
a couple of levels, cheap food and 4 ? ales. Only been in a couple
of times, once to find just common ales, the 2nd time a couple were
from smaller breweries.
* PIG & PORCUPINE - Last visit:
2006 - Deansgate - modern-ish building, several handpumps
but no real beer sold on my one visit. Quite large open plan place
and loud with a DJ in action but not many customers, pool table.
As of late 2006 is now closed and I wont miss it - now seems to
be a restaurant.
* PORT STREET BEER HOUSE - Last visit:
2011 - Port Street - opened 2011, a smart bar in a converted
3 story brick building with a smaller downstairs bar room with big
shop windows and a lager lounge area upstairs. Specialises in unusual
beers, both micro brewery ales such as Thornbridge, Brew Dog etc
and lagers from around the world - all very interesting but it also
means it aint cheap! photo
website
* POT OF BEER - Last visit: 2003
? -was a superb little real ale free house hidden away somewhere
beyond Victoria Station, I only went in a few times and now closed.
* PRINTWORKS - Last visit: 2011
- A Lloyds/Wetherspoons bar in the Printworks complex, one large
room and an upstairs. The usual fayre and decor you'd expect in
this sort of place, ie nowt exiting but a few ales including a couple
from smaller brewers
* THE PUB - Last visit: 2011
- Grovsenor St - a student pub/bar, used to be ale free so I never
went in but when I was pursuaded to visit recently found it has
3 handpumps, nowt too exciting (Bombadier etc) but a nice pint and
quite cheap
* RAIN BAR - Last visit: 2010
- Gt Bridgewater Street, a big and rather smart Lees pub so has
their range of beers. Wooden interior (converted from a former umbrella
factory) with various corners and different levels of seating and
an upstairs dining area. A large canal side beer garden which gets
busy in nice weather. Does food, a bit more upmarket than usual
bar snacks. Service here can be poor though, often waited ages at
the bar even when it's not very busy due to dozy barstaff! Photo.
* RETRO BAR - Last visit: 2005
near UMIST, quite traditional feeling one room pub inside ugly 1960s
exterior, but no real ale. Studenty type place, also a downstairs
room with bands/club nights etc.
* REVOLUTION - Last visit: late 2006
- Oxford Rd. Vodka themed bar, no real beer, recently refurbished
and I was forced to visit - not my cup of tea at all!
* RISING SUN - Last visit: 2011 -
btwn Deansgae & Albert Sq. A little old traditional pub
with doors on two streets. The bar area is small and basic with
several handpumps, these now include guest ales from small breweries,
there was Lancaster and Millstone on my last visit. The other end
of the pub has a long narrow more comfy seating area with celing
beams, jukebox and TV sport. photo
* RODEO - Last visit: late 2008
- somewhere in Northern Quarter - I was taken here for a swift bottle
of beer. A very small one room Mexican themed bar with no real ale
(or any draught beer - more spirits sort of place). Seemed friendly
and cosy enough with decent music playing but as I said no ale,
so no good for me!
* ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC BAR - Last
visit: 2010 - off Oxford Rd, an unusal place to include on
my pub list but it's free to enter so it counts! The college is
also a music venue so the bar is mainly for those going to shows
but anyone can call in, and it's at one side of the canteen so that's
what it's like - a large open room full of tables, not exactly cosy!
But there are a number of real ales including on my visit a couple
from Hydes and also a Millstone beer.
* SALISBURY - Last visit: 2012
- was a dark scruffy pub by Oxford Rd Station attracting a heavy
metal crowd. Refurbished a few years ago with a typical pub refurb
wooden interior but comfortable and divided into different areas
to sit. Still a heavy metal themed jukebox and attracts old rockers
and young skater boy types by the pool table. A few real ales with
Theakstons/Jennings and changing guest beers Photo.
* SALUTATION - Last visit: 2010
- behind All Saints/MMU. Traditional corner pub with a local feel
and a mix of punters from students to old Manc blokes. An interesting
dark wood and red walled interior with one main room round the bar
and a large pool room. 3 bitters incl Black Sheep and a guest ale,
though whenever I vist these have always just run out... photo
* SAND BAR - Last visit: 2012
- Grosvenor Street. A square brick building, inside is a relaxed
slightly ramshackle cafe bar. 6 handpumps, not always all in use
but there's a good house beer 'All Saints' and others from small
often local brewers. Also real cider, draft and bottled continental
lagers and now food is served until early evening. It can get busy
at times with a mixed laid back crowd but service is very good.
It's like 2 separate buildings (as it once was) either side of the
bar joined by a 3rd 'room' down some steps which was formerly an
outside area with a cobbled floor and bare walls, there's also a
jukebox. Benches on the pavement and a small yard out back.
photo
website
* SAWYERS ARMS - Last visit: 2011
- Deansgate - a large old corner
pub with an attractive exterior especially the curved windows. Inside
is one opened out room including a raised seating area to one side
with sofas, wood panelling and fireplace, also more room upstairs.
3 ? real beers which besides more common ales can include guests
from small local breweries eg Bank Top. photo
* SENGER - Last visit: 2008
- Chester St - in a new office type building, a large room with
a very high ceiling and with its long bar, sofas and arm chairs
it appears more like a modern hotel lobby and about as much atmosphere,
though has a jukebox. But beerwise I was impressed with 4 ales all
from small breweries including 2 from Phoenix. But it's now closed
- shame but doesnt surprise me, on my visit it was almost empty.
* SEVEN OAKS - Last visit: 2011-
Nicholas St - one roomed traditional pub with a couple of beers
eg Black Sheep, Cally IPA etc. TV screen showing music or sports,
toilets down some steep stairs. Also has an additional upstairs
room for when busy. photo
* SHAKESPEARE - Last visit: 2006
- Fountain St - according to the plaque on the wall, this is a 17th
century building which was moved from Chester to Manchester in the
early 1900s. It's an attractive timber framed building outside,
though the inside is rather plain with a large open plan room and
a couple of average ales eg Boddingtons. photo
* SINCLAIRS - Last visit: 2009
- old pub in Exchange Square alongside the Wellington [see below]
with which it shares a courtyard and was also moved during the redevelopment
of the area. A Sam Smiths pub so has their ale at the usual low
prices [but I've recently read (Aug '09) that it no longer sells
real ale]. Has a narrow bar area and several small cosy rooms with
a food serving counter at one end. Also a more open plan bar upstairs.
Often busy especially in sunny weather photo
* SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY - Last visit:
2009 - Bootle Street. A comfortable pub with several opened
out areas, jukebox and a number of bitters, on my last visits these
included a mix of Copper Dragon, guests and more common beers. Not
the cheapest though. photo
* SMITHFIELD HOTEL - Last visit: 2011
- Swan Street - feels like an old backstreet local with
a mix of regulars and visiting ale drinkers, and there is a superb
choice of changing guest beers from unusual breweries at decent
prices. Inside is a basic fairly small but long room, bare floored
at the front and carpeted at the back with a pool table , good jukebox
and TV. The formerly scruffy interior has had a much needed redecoration.
photo
* SOUP KITCHEN - Last visit: 2012
- Spear Street - in the Northern Quarter, an old brick building
in which is a large room done out in an arty style and is partly
a cafe, so dining tables and a food counter. But it's also a bar
selling various fancy lagers and also 2 real ales from changing
& unusual micro breweries. photo
* SPACE - Last visit: 2011 - New
Wakefield Street - trendy bar on a couple of floors including a
roof terrace, no real ale, not somewhere I visit out of choice
* SPORTS PUB ?- Last visit: early 90s
- on Oxford Road, was a large pub with no real beer and
a sports theme. Went in once, think it still exists with a different
name but cant be bothered to check.
* SPORTSMAN - Last visit: early 90s
- was on Market Street in the Arndale Centre, you went through
a doorway, downstairs and found yourself in a little Lees pub but
it closed years ago.
* SPORTS BAR - Last visit: 2006
- Quay St. Not my idea to go here, vast place with several bars,
loads of TVs and no real beer. Awful!
* SQUARE BAR - Last visit: 2003 ?
- an aleless bar for tasteless youths - was forced to go
to for one pint, I am now less easily led.
* STAR AND GARTER - Last visit: 2004
- a big brick Boddingtons pub on Fairfield Street, no real ale and
run down inside but exists as a big music venue, often hosts bands
or club nights in the upstairs function rooms, downstairs a rather
scruffy pool room and lounge. photo
* TEMPLE (was TEMPLE OF CONVENIENCE) - Last
visit: 2010 - Oxford Street, a very small narrow bar down
some stairs (a former public toilet!). No real ale but a wide range
of bottled beers from around the world, including some UK bitters
though not cheap. And a decent jukebox photo
* THIRSTY SCHOLAR - Last visit: 2011
- bar in a railway arch below Oxford Road station, lots of dark
wood panelling and bare floorboards. Attracts a student crowd with
jukebox, live music or DJs. There's 3 handpumps, over the years
availability of real ale has been patchy but more recently there's
always some ale with Copper Dragon and Hydes regulars plus sometimes
others. An outdoor drinking under the arch. photo.
website
* TOWN HALL TAVERN - Last visit: 2010
- a long narrow pub with seating by the bar, a side room with sofas
and another area down a couple of steps at the back. 3 handpumps
which used to sell the likes of Landlord, Cally IPA etc but on a
couple of visits since the pub was refurbished in 2009 there's been
one or two more interesting ales. Photo
* TROF - Last visit: 2011 -Northern
Quarter - bar with small rooms on several floors in a converted
old building, quite plesant but quite pricey and no real ale.
* TV21 - Last visit: 2011 -Northern
Quarter - owned by the same people as Fab Cafe, like which it has
a TV/space theme (you can sit inside a mock Space Shuttle!), there's
also downstairs room with dance floor open late evening. No real
ales on my few visits, but I've heard it now sells it
* UNICORN - Last visit: 2009 - near
Aflecks Palace, a large corner pub with an interesting
attractive interior. There's a main room mostly taken up by a large
curved bar with a couple of lounge type rooms to one side and a
cosy little snug at the back, all quite ornate with lots of wood
panelling etc. A few ales, recently these have been Bass and a couple
from Copper Dragon at decent prices. Attracts a more 'down to earth'
sort of punter! photo
* WALDORF - Last visit: 2009
on a side street near Piccadilly Station, a large square wooden
floored pub but split into different areas, sells 4 beers including
Boddingtons and a choice from the likes of Landlord, London Pride,
Cally IPA and sometimes more interesting guests. Good lunches, real
chips, football sometimes on a big screen. Photo.
* WATERHOUSE - Last visit: 2011
- big brick Wetherspoons pub near the town hall with an interesting,
comfortable and rambling interior. It's like a large old house (maybe
it once was?) with lots of different rooms of varying sizes, some
with fireplaces and comfy armchairs. Beer and food is what you'd
expect from a Wetherpoons, though the choice of ales is often particularly
good with many small breweries and it's definitely one of the better
Wetherspoons I've ever been to. photo
* WELLINGTON - Last visit: 2011
- claims to be the oldest building in Manc, 16th centuary timber
frame building which has been moved during city centre regeneration
so is quite smart but retains it's original beams etc, The small
downstairs bar has bare brick walls & flagstone floor. There's
also an upstairs bar and 2nd floor dining room with wood panlleing
and a large courtyard which is packed when sunny. The pub is now
part of the Nicholson's chain and the number of ales has increased,
there's now 8 handpumps (not always all in use) including changing
and often interesting guests, though these can be rather pricey
photo
* WETHERSPOONS - PICCADILLY - Last
visit: 2001 ? - large W'spoons pub and certainly not one
of the better ones.
* WHEATSHEAF - Last visit: 2005
- in 'Northern Quarter' - traditional outside but inside a modern
style with no real ale, ended up here once - not my choice!
* WHITE LION - Last visit: 2011
- Liverpool Road, an unremarkable but unpretentious pub, a traditional
L shaped interior and a few different beers [London Price, Cally
IPA etc - though expensive especially for this sort of pub]. Best
feature is a large outdoor seating area alongside the Roman remains
at Castlefield. Photo
* VICTORIA STATION BAR - not sure what it is actually called,
but it's the bar on the concourse at Victoria Sttion. It does sell
draught beer, but no real ale. The buildign is quite intesting though
including a high domed ceiling
* VINE - Last visit: 2011 -
next to the City Arms. Green tiled outside while inside is a small
area by the bar with jukebox and little TV which feels like a little
locals pub, but also a larger area spreading out up a few stairs
and another downstairs room and bar which opens when busy and a
couple of ales. photo
*
ALSO -
there are several other pubs and bars in the city I'll have been
in over the years but forgotten. More recently I've twice attempted
to drink in MULLIGANS, an Irish pub hidden off Bridge Street,
a basic small wooden place but both times the ale had run out so
I left. There's also NIGHT & DAY on Oldham Street, a
bar/cafe/music venue which is free to enter in the day but costs
when there's a gig so not sure if it counts for my pub list as I
dont think it has draught beer, I was drinking bottles (there's
no proper ale)
ANCOATS
- been here on a few occasions when seeing bands at the Apollo
* ASPLEY
COTTAGE - Last visit: 2009 - a basic 2 room pub
next to the Apollo venue used by people waiting to go to a 'gig' next door when
it gets packed, the main room is rather open and empty to accommodate them, there's
various music memorabilia on the walls and beams on the ceiling. It used to sell
some real bitter but on my last visit there was nowt on handpump
* CHURCH INN - - Last visit: 2009
- a locals pub behind the park, though also busy with Apollo visitors
which is why visited. Opened out but with different areas to sit
round the central bar, sport on TV and one real ale which was London
Pride when I called in
HULME
- visited these two places when staying with a friend who onced lived
nearby
* THE ARCH - Last
visit: 2003 - a Robinsons pub but in a modern cafe
bar style place - NOW CLOSED
* ?? - 'JAMAICAN BAR' - Last
visit: 2003 - can't remember it's real name but a
West Indies pub with no real ale, lots of Red Stripe, reggae and a 'herbal' aroma
RUSHOLME
- when I used to occasionally go to watch City at Maine Road in
the early 1990s I'd have a few pints in pubs around here including
* CLAREMONT and WHITWORTH plus I'm sure at least one
other, maybe more, but I dont remember enough to be able to describe
them.
more recently I've been in:
* FORD MADOX BROWN - Last visit 2010
- - a large Wetherpoons in a bland modern building but inside
is quite cosy despite being a vast open room, with red lighting,
mix of seating, wood panels etc. A good choice of interesting ales
and the usual Wetherspoons food. photo
OLD TRAFFORD
-
* POMONA PALACE Last
visit: 2006 - arrived
here in a taxi one night with some other people when
I was rather drunk,
a local type pub with no real ale but a jukebox.
* SAM PLATTS Last
visit: 2011 - on the
Trafford side of the Manchester Ship Canal near the football gound
of Manchester's second team. A rather ugly and large
brick building on the canalside, inside is an open room but broken
up and on different levels with large windows looking out on the
water. Just one ale, Cally IPA. photo
SALFORD
- I currently have the misfortune (at least from a pub point
of view) to work at Saflord Quays, but far better (from a pub point
of view) I regularly visit the excellent pubs listed here on or
near the A6 Cresent - the Crescent, Kings, Oxford, Mark Addy, Black
Lion form a great crawl between Salford Crescent Station and Manchester.
* BLACK LION Last visit: 2011 -
large curved corner building a short walk from Manchester city centre.
It was reopened and refurbished in 2009, a bright partly opened
out interior with a bar of dark wood plus a more comfy seating/dining
area at the other end and another room behind. For a while it had
plenty of changing real ales from small brewers but then closed
again before being reopened late 2011. Still sells ales, though
less varied (Cally IPA, Landlord etc) photo
* CORRIDOR BAR Last visit: 2011
- not sure whether to include this place. It's a small dark bar
on a side alley, only open late eves but is free to get in. No ale,
dont think there's any draught beer, just bottles. Came here cos
a friend was DJ'ing (yes I do know people who do such things!)
* CRESCENT Last
visit: 2011 - superb pub near the university on the A6 Crescent
with a big choice of changing ales from interesting breweries at
good prices. A 'down to earth' interior with bare wooden floors,
a lounge to one side of the door, more basic bar to the other including
real fire and a small corridor area with tables and jukebox. There's
also a seperate room with a small stage for live music. A lively
mix of locals, students and visitors, good value curry nights on
Weds. Over recent visits it appears to be in the process of a slight
renovation. photo
website.
* HOLIDAY INN Last visit: 2011
- Salford Quays - a real ale-less modern hotel bar. Hardly
worth mentioning, other than it fits the criteria for my website
of me having had a pint here....
* KINGS ARMS Last
visit: 2011 - just off A6 near Central Station with a traditional
attractive interior, some nice architecture in the darkly lit high
ceilinged main room, also has a second room to the other side. Quite
a bohemian place, there's a stage upstairs where live music and
theatre events are held while the pub itself has a jukebox and most
importantly a number of good real ales including changing guest
beers from small breweries. photo
* MARK ADDY Last visit: 2011 -
near Salford Central station and right next to the River Irwell.
An interesting building with a long main room which has a bare brick
vaulted ceiling, it feels like a cellar bar but one side is open
with big windows to look out at the river. Much of the pub is for
dining, but there is seating and armchairs near the bar. However
the best place to sit is outside on the riverside patio, I even
saw a kingfisher once! Five real ales, most are changing guests
from micro breweries often from the North West.
photo website
* NEW OXFORD Last visit: 2011 -
again just off the A6 between the Cresent and Kings Arms, There's
a huge choice (15 ? handpumps) of beers from small independent brewers,
also continental lagers and real ciders. In contrast to the others
though this is a modern cafe bar style place, the front room has
comfy sofas and high stools plus a digital jukebox while to the
other side of the bar is a small more traditional back room. photo
website
* QUAY HOUSE Last visit: 2011
- Salford Quays a large brick building on the dockside converted
to a 'Beefeater' pub, a big open interior plus patio by the water.
A couple of real ales, Theakstons and similar . photo
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