Manchester City Centre

The centre of Manchester covers a large and diverse area of shops, businesses, car parks and even some greenary. The pubs and bars are equally diverse with something for just about everybody. Care is needed, however, as some pubs are more welcoming than others. This is, after all, a big city.

Athenaeum, York Street

This cavernous, Neo-classical hall has been converted into a drinking establishment with a similar aspirations as other city centre pubs. What marks the place out is the décor. Not for them is there the infatuation with the Ikea inspired clean lines. Instead we have what could be compared to the main hall of an eighteenth century aristocrat with taste for the sauce. In practice this means there is plenty to stare at when the music makes it too loud to have a decent conversation or you have had too much to follow what your drinking partners are attempting to tell you. For those of you who love to let your eyes drift to the ceiling one could admire the Baroque plaster work while floor gazers can take advantage of the mosaic terrace near the entrance. There are even reproductions of classical sculpture that have been fittingly ruined and put on display. The only part our eighteenth century aristo could not replicate is the illuminations, darkness punctuated by disco lights to let us know that this the modern world!

If however, you could not give a gnat’s chuff about what the place looks like and care only for drink and live quarry to stare at then all is not lost. The classy surroundings tend to mean everyone there looks quite smart (Next must do a roaring trade considering all these city centre pubs!) and drinks prices are what you would expect from a pub in this kind of location. (KS)

The Beer House, Angel Street (corner Rochdale Road just back of Victoria Station)

One would be hard pressed to find a better beer-aware pub anywhere. The focus is on small old-established breweries (eg. Holden's, Adnams, Timothy Taylor) but also newer micros such as Storm and Titanic. The pub also had some interesting Belgian specialties. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. A diverse crowd frequents this pub, from what I could see, all united in their admiration for the best products of the malt: highly recommended. (Gary Gillman, Toronto.)

Beer Trading Company, Mosley Street

This one has a gimmick in that the drink prices change depending on the demand for them. Interesting and worth a look, but that's really all that seperates it from countless other bars in the city centre. It has a late licence at the weekend when it can become very busy. (TM)

Brannigans, Peter Street

"Eating, Drinking and Cavorting" is apparently what Branigans specialises in. As it goes, I've yet to try out the either the first or the last of these activities at this place but the middle one is easy to achieve. If you have ever been in a Brannigans pub you will know what to expect. On the other hand if you have not, well it's a city centre pub which means the drinks are slightly more expensive and as the night progresses the music gets louder. Actually that could cover practically any pub up and down the country so perhaps I ought to elaborate. It is a fairly large venue decorated with pop memorabilia. The music connection is continued as acts from the up and coming to the well past it play here interspersed with tribute bands. They have late opening throughout the week so it is a useful place to know about if you need an after hours drink. Not only do they offer the standard range of drinks but they also mix cocktails for those who want something other than beer (Hold on, what are you doing here then?). One point worth mentioning is the toilets. They are quite some way from the actual drinking area so if you do need to go give yourself plenty of time to find them or you could have a nasty accident! You have been warned. (KS)

Circus Tavern, Portland Street

A tiny pub next to the more tiny Grey Horse Inn and the rather larger Old Monkey. Very friendly atmosphere from bar staff and punters alike, but it gets extremely busy at the weekend. (TM)

The Crown and Anchor, New Cathedral Street

It’s another Holt’s pub. So you know what to expect by now. Cheap beer and pub grub. Situated opposite the new Marks and Sparks and right next door to the Old Wellington and Sinclairs, it’ll be interesting to see how it fairs in the face of this more upmarket competition. Fairly well if a Tuesday lunchtime is anything to go by. (TM)

Down Under Bar, Southmill Street

Are you an Ozzy backpacker? Do you need a bit of extra cash? Can you pull a pint? Well in Manchester there are hundreds of bars with Australians working for them and this is no exception. They have even gone to the extreme of making their ex-pat employees feel at home by styling itself as an Australian bar. Any potential employee should be willing to work late as a persistent hardcore of drinkers appreciate the lack of a dress code and the late night licence. Potential staff will have an appreciation for young musicians honing their skills as live music is a regular event. Found opposite night-club Royales and beneath Joop it should not be mistaken for inferior products that will cause you to go "Walkabout". (KS)

Grey Horse Inn, Portland Street

A tiny, tiny pub next to the almost as tiny Circus Tavern and the rather larger Old Monkey. Its quite amazing that this place manages to stay open because when full to bursting, surely only 15-20 people can be squeezed into this place. It's so small that the bar is basically just big enough for the barman to fit behind and pull a pint. So don't expect a wide range of drinks to be available here. Very cosy though, and I can recommend it for a cold winters day, with a pint and a whiskey to warm you up by the coal fire. (TM)

Huxter's, Portland Street

City centre pubs are notorious for three things expensive beer; ridiculous dress codes and an increased chance of violence once the pubs shut. Huxter's is really no exception to this rule. Having said that the Art Deco drinking establishment is a great improvement on the shabby Boardroom that once stood here (It was even rumoured to be a favourite haunt of toilet traders!). There is nothing really special about this site in Piccadilly to differentiate it from the Huxter's elsewhere in the country, so if you like one you will like them all! (KS)

Land 'O' Cakes, Great Ancoats Street, corner of Lever Street

The best Boddingtons in Manchester can be found here. Slightly off the beaten track but well worth the visit if you wish to sample Boddies at its magnificant best with good friendly service as well. What more could you want? (TM)

Mr Thomas's Chop House, Cross Street

An interesting pub that is easily recognisable from its terra cotta facade. Its serves great beer and is well known for its excellent wine list and food. Most recommended during the day, if you fancy a beer or a very decent and affordable meal. In the evening it reverts to a pub but with something incredibly rare for a pub in Britain, it has table service. And the beer is really no more expensive than elsewhere. A good city centre option, different from many other pubs in the city. (TM)

The Old Monkey, Portland Street

Another Holt's pub, this used to be the brewery's showcase pub until the Ape and Apple was opened. A decent place, where again the beer is good and very reasonably priced. Very much a drinker's pub (as most Holt's pubs are) but a good one and one of the brewery's best. (TM)

Old Orleans, The Printworks

Part of the new Printworks complex this ‘deep south’ theme pub serves American beer (Millers Rolling Rock, Budweiser) cocktails and spicy and exotic Mississippi food. They’ve obviously spent a bit of money on it and this is passed on to the bar prices, though there is a happy hour when a small selection of beers and cocktails are on offer. Fortunately there seems no reason why you should need to ‘squeal like a pig’ if you visit here. Unless you want to I suppose. (TM)

The Old Wellington and Sinclair's Oyster Bar, Victoria Street

Alongside each other (as they were in Shambles Square) opposite the new Marks and Sparks and next to the Triangle shopping complex and the Printworks, in the newly redeveloped sector of Manchester. These pubs are always mentioned in the same breath due to their age and proximity to each other. Could one survive without the other?

This is the umpteenth time that the two ancient pubs have been moved brick by brick and rebuilt to make way for redevelopment in the city centre. This time, though, the pubs have been rebuilt in an area of sufficient promise so that it would seem unlikely that they will be on the move again in the foreseeable future (barring any more wars/bombs etc). As at their previous locale, there is an outside drinking area shared by the two pubs, and given the surroundings, this lends the area a continental edge. And that was something that could definitely not be said of Shambles Square! Probably a great place during the summer months to hide behind sunglasses and people watch.

Inside, The Old Wellington has taken the opportunity to refurbish, and now looks somewhat like a Hogshead or Yates. It attempts to look old with brand new fixtures and fittings. The beer is Bass, and smells of sick, but that's normal and OK. Lagers OK too.

Sinclair's have taken the opposite route and seem to have kept the look of the pub much as it was before the move. Right down to the wobbly tables and broken stools. But I suppose that's what you call 'character'. The beer is Sam Smith's. And get this; £2.79 for a pint of bitter and a pint of lager.

I'd say if you get the chance, you have to visit these two pubs. They're the oldest and most famous in Manchester and you get to see all the redevelopment work that's been done in the area. If you're out shopping or going to the Printworks for a meal or to see a film, you could do a lot worse than pop in for a swift half. (TM)

O'Sheas, Princess Street

Yet another Irish bar but this is a long established favourite in Manchester. A large bar that serves decent Guinness to a mixed audience. Gets extremely busy at the weekend when they actually charge for admission, which seems a bit cheeky to me. A good laugh though. The food is good, try the irish stew. (TM)

Rat and Parrott, St. Annes Square

Tucked away in an alley leading to St. Anne's square this is a chain pub. They have gone for the more traditional decoration style, even allowing some hand pulled drinks to be served. This means that drinkers can actually taste a pint that has not been injected with nitrogen gas to make it frothy! Being so close to the town centre the rent is obviously sky high and this cost is passed onto the drinker with high prices for pints. Combining the isolation with the price means that the pub rarely looks that busy, however it is useful in that if you are drinking in Piccadilly or Deansgate and want to move on towards South Manchester you can stop off here for a quick one. (KS)

Shakespeare's, Fountain Street (I think)

A funny place this. From the outside it looks quite classy with its olde worlde exterior. Inside is a different story with a very young crowd drinking heavily. Basically it's a no frills drinking establishment with the entertainment provided by youngsters vomiting and falling over. (TM)

Square Albert, Albert Square

Situated on Albert Square (surprise, surprise), this unremarkable pub is, well unremarkable. It’s a typical Tetley’s pub, beers are reasonably priced and its in a prime location. As a result, its popular with workers from the Town Hall and the surrounding area. Its OK, and if you’re passing its probably worth popping in for a quick pint. (TM)

Via Vita, Albert Square

An expensive bar/restaurant, which doesn't serve pints! Despite that it's still a pretty decent place. Beer comes in multi-pint jugs or half-pints. If you come here though, you really want to try the cocktails. I recommend the 'Flatliners', so long as you don't have to get up for work the next day. (TM)

Waldorf, off London Road

A popular pub which can now be found behind the new Malmaison hotel you see when coming out of Piccadilly rail station. Popular with office workers from around the area at lunchtime and after work. Don't know what its like at night. Serves good Boddies and a nice spot for a quiet pint. (TM)

Weatherspoon's, Piccadilly

Everyone knows what to expect in a Weatherspoon's. Cheap and cheerful beer and pub grub. This is exactly what you get here. (TM)

Yate's Wine Bar, Portland Street

Yet another of the increasing number of chain pubs. This one is actually quite good. It's big and open planned with a decent range of beers and food. Extremely popular with office workers, and very busy at the weekends, it has a lot to recommend it. You'll look out of place if you're not in your best party pants though. (TM)

1. Home
2. Castlefield
   
3. Deansgate
4. Universities/Oxford Road
5. Fallowfield/Withington
6. Didsbury

mailto: tim@tmossey.freeserve.co.uk