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Castlefield
In Manchester's industrial past Castlefield was the site of numerous warehouses containing goods bought in on the ship canal. Nowadays the industrialists have been replaced by entertainment entrepreneurs and the main goods supplied on the quaysides are alcoholic, this is progress apparently! The historically minded might like to know that the castle referred to was actually the Roman fort of Manchester. A reconstruction of the gatehouse is in Castlefield so the temptation is there to play Celtic warriors and storm the barricades, if the need should take you. Back to the present, the drinking establishments are based on either side of the quay so there are several bridges linking them. The trouble is the main bridge by Barca feels a touch unsteady. It can reduce the soberest person to consider they have had one too many. The bars around the quayside are perfect for summer drinking, all having large terraces and because of this most people move between them quite freely, which is why they are being reviewed together. Without question this place is busiest on a Friday and Saturday night where the city's bright young things crowd the area.
The Quay Bar
Based on two levels, one at street level and the other on the quayside it is one of the first ports of call for many visitors to Castlefield. This is in no small part to the dual level of the bar. The interior has a very clean design with green metal plates and white walls decorated with prints and commissioned works. A point worth noting is the pint glasses, they are ridiculously tall and straight. (KS)
Dukes 1892
Another bar that is keen on clean white interior design. It is at the bottom of a long cobbled street so if you are planning to go on a proper bender be careful how you go on the way out. After dark the terraced area is lit by strings of light bulbs that often reminds me of the battle scene at the bridge in "Apocalypse Now". As far as the name is concerned, I have to confess to being ignorant of the significance of 1892. (KS)
Barca
Playing on the Mediterranean feel of the area with its name, Mick Hucknall is reported to be one of the people behind this bar. As well as the large terrace the bar itself is split into two parts. If you are tall watch your head when entering the building at the entrance furthest from the bridge, one of my friends managed to gash his forehead on the beams in there. The place is popular with celebrities so do not be surprised to see the odd character from Coronation Street drinking there (Betty Turpin is a demon for the vodka and Red Bull). (KS)
Jackson's Wharf
This place is a little different to the rest of the bars in the area. Instead of the clean cut interior this place has taken the name of the area to heart and been built to look like a small castle. In fact it is all too reminiscent of a scene from a Hammer horror film, except without the cobwebs and Christopher Lee. There are several levels inside which means that you can have a secluded corner to drink in if you should need to. Though it may only be a side concern they do offer an unusual menu specialising in seafood dishes. (KS)