Didsbury

The main street of Didsbury is basically a long row of pubs and bars now, with several new bars having been just opened. This is a really popular area of Manchester. In the summer people spill out of the pubs and onto the streets because it gets so darn busy. There is also the opportunity of trying the infamous Didsbury dozen pub crawl. It's well worth attempting it because there are so many good pubs in Didsbury. These are the pubs that make up the Didsbury dozen. I've done them in the order that you can do them for the pub crawl rather that alphabetically.

The Barley Corn, Barlow Moor Road

The first pub you go in is opposite the Woodstock Tavern in the palatial surroundings of West Didsbury. From what I can remember of it, it's quite a large pub with decent beers and surroundings. Quite pricey though. (TM)

The Woodstock Tavern, Barlow Moor Road

A top pub if only it wasn't so expensive. Split up into several rooms, this large pub has an open fireplace, and a wide mixture of clientele. Just don't offer to buy a round in here unless you're feeling generous. Then its a five or ten minute walk to East Didsbury where the other ten pubs are situated. (TM)

The Nelson, Wilmslow Road

A good old fashioned drinkers' pub. It's pretty small so probably best not to make it the last pub of your crawl, especially if there's a large group of you. A large selection of beers, including Holts for the cheapskates. (TM)

The Crown, Wilmslow Road

Another old fashioned pub. This one is easily recognisable from it's white frontage, giving it a cottage style look. It's different inside as well, looking like a pub from a past age. A top pub. (TM)

The Didsbury, Wilmslow Road

After the Crown it's probably best to take a short walk down to the far end of Didsury where the Didsbury and the Olde Cock Inn reside. It's only a five minute walk there and limits the chances of someone chuddering. The Didsbury has been done up since I've last been in it, but by all accounts its as popular as it ever was. (TM)

The Olde Cock Inn, Wilmslow Road

A massive pub which always seems to be busy. Pool, big screen football, and karaoke, all help to liven the place up. Often very loud, so not the place to go for a quiet pint. Good range of beers at a fair price. Next another five minute walk back to the main stretch. (TM)

The Royal Oak, Wilmslow Road

The Royal Oak is an extremely popular pub right in the middle of Didsbury. It's relatively small inside but packed to every corner with tables and chairs. Getting to the toilets can be a hazardous journey. Well worth a visit with top beers and pub grub. (TM)

The Albert, William Street (Now called the Fletcher Moss and possibly refurbished.)

This pub is found down a backstreet, hidden behind the Royal Oak. My memory of it is rather hazy, as I've only ever been in it during a successful attempt at the Didsbury Dozen. From my vague recollection its an old fashioned pub similar to the Royal Oak, though not as good. (TM)

The Dog and Partridge, Wilmslow Road

A recently refurbished pub that has a very familiar look to it. Owned by one of the big breweries it now looks like any number of pubs you could walk into in Manchester. Still, the beer's good, it gets busy and can be quite lively. (TM)

O'Neills, Wilmslow Road

This is one of those Irish theme bars that are unlike any Irish pub you'll ever go in. However, if you can forget this, its not a bad place. It's good for watching the football anyway. (TM)

The Station, Wilmslow Road

The Station looks tiny from the outside and it's not exactly the Tardis inside either. Normally there's a bit of room at the back of the pub, probably because no one realises that they are there. Top beer, I think it's Marstons', and a good atmoshpere is ensured by the smallness of the place. It's now surrounded by a lot of new bars such as Via Vita and Cafe Rouge. By the way, It's called the Station because Didsbury train station used to be opposite it. (TM)

Squires, Wilmslow Road (Reopened and refurbished as the Clock Tower)

The last pub on the Didsbury Dozen is also the largest and probably the dodgiest as well. It's undergone several changes in name and ownership in the last few years due to continued incidents. Inside, it's big and spacious, and great for pool and watching the football. (TM)

If you've made it this far then well done. You can now offically call yourself an alcoholic.

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email to:tim@tmossey.freeserve.co.uk