Fallowfield and Withington

Fallowfield and Withington have a large number of pubs and bars mainly concentrated on Wilmslow Road. This is due to the large local population and the student halls of residence which can be found especially in Fallowfield. Most of the pubs in Withington are traditional in their approach, while there is an ever growing number of cafe bar style places in Fallowfield.

Hardies Well, Wilmslow Road, Rusholme

This pub lies at the opposite end of Rusholme to the Whitworth. It has gone for the pre club atmosphere with pastel yellow and bright blue being the colour scheme of choice. It is even trying to move into organising club nights and has gone so far as to clear space at the back of the building for a dance floor. Unfortunately this area now remains deserted during normal opening hours but it is not immediately obvious when you walk in. Seating is a mixture of settees, arm chairs and ordinary stools. The areas containing the former are usually occupied especially as they are the best seats to view the big screen. I have to confess to having spent a large proportion of my time watching the football in here and so warn anyone else intending to do so of the pillar. It may well be a major structural feature of the building but it also act as a huge obstruction to see the screen. As well as this they also offer pool, though the table is a little wayward and that is not just an excuse for my inability. Prices are reasonable for the drinks they offer which is only to be expected of a pub hoping to attract large numbers of students. (KS)

Orange Grove, Wilmslow Road Fallowfield

This used to be known as Buchannens but no one ever drank there so it has been revamped to appeal directly to students. It lies in Fallowfield and really it cannot be missed a it has OG emblazoned on the wall outside. Despite the bright décor outside and the new bright colours painted inside the lighting still makes the interior seem rather dingy. Still, this can only be an advantage if you are on the pull as darkness often hides a multitude of sins. For those of you who like to occupy yourself while drinking they also have a pool table, complete with maroon baize. The revamp appears to have worked as the place is now crammed every night when the students are in town. (KS)

Queen of Hearts, Wilmslow Road Fallowfield

Or the Queen of Tarts as it is alternatively known. This is a converted church building resulting in one big pub. It has to be visited just to see its shear size and how bloody full of people it can become. Most of the clientele are students from the Owens Park tower across the road. Extremely popular with reasonable beer and prices. Great for big screen football. (TM)

The Red Lion, Wilmslow Road Withington

One of the best pubs to be found in Manchester. The pub has been around for years and the entrance and front room have a very low ceiling, so be careful! There is an open extension at the back of the pub which has vastly enlarged it. This has also cut into the famous bowling green which now has a large chunk cut out of it. The Marston's beer is very good, and food is also fine. The old part of the pub is what its all about and the low ceiling and low level lighting help to create a top atmosphere. Sometimes its impossible to get a seat in this area, so if you're tall its probably best to more towards the back of the pub. It can also sometimes be hard work to get served in here. A good mix of locals, students, and on a Saturday football fans from Maine Road. (TM)

Rubinski's, Wilbraham Road Fallowfield

Rubinski's is another popular pub with the students of the area and can be pretty lively at the weekend and when footballs on. Thats about it though. (TM)

Shed, Wilmslow Road Fallowfield

This is a bar on two levels in the heart of Fallowfield, therefore it will not come as any surprise that the main clientele are students. Calling the bar Shed can lead to thoughts of a run down, ramshackle building which I am sure is not the image the proprietors wish to project. In fact they have gone for a decidedly up market look. The ground floor window has tubing containing water that bubbles are passed through and looks mightily impressive. Actually it would if it ever worked but that appears to be very seldom these days. Inside they have gone for a hybrid industrial elegance. Let me explain, much of the structural support such as the girders are on display but the seating is upholstered with blue velvet and the tables are finished with brass fittings. Generally it is busy at the weekends but can suffer when the students are not in town as almost every house in the locality is a student residence. (KS)

Shooters and Hooters, Wilmslow Road

A cocktail bar situated between Withington and Fallowfield. It's worth going after a few pints because its always humourous to order a 'sex on the beach' isn't it? The bar staff are trained to humour you. (TM)

The Welcome, off Wilmslow Road Rusholme

The Welcome is a good friendly pub that is set back from the curry houes and madness of Wilmslow Road, Rusholme. It's like being in a different world from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, unless the infamous karaoke happens to be on. A good place to visit for a quiet pint before heading off to the football or for a curry. The walls are covered with pictures and autographs from various entertainers of yesteryear. I think this is because there was a BBC studio next to it at one time. (TM)

Withington Ale House, Wilmslow Road Withington

Formerly known as the White Lion it has recently been renovated and is now a John Barrass pub. This is shorthand for the brewery decided the pub was not making enough money so it has been assimilated into a chain. Usually this results in any character the pub possessed being squeezed out in the name of a homogenised experience from Lands End to John O'Groats, see the "It's a Scream" chain. Actually this is unfair to the Withington Ale House as the renovation has resulted in a dramatic improvement on the drab White Lion. It is now the kind of pub to take people you wish to impress such as parents or prospective partners as not only do they offer drink, at very competitive prices mind but they can also rustle a meal up for you in no time.

The pub now caters for several markets and does a good job of keeping their customers happy. They allow children into the bar in the daytime meaning families can dine here. Fortunately these same children cannot go in during the evening so the inebriated can wander around freely without the worry of clattering some poor toddler. To attract people in they have regular drinks promotions, which in a novel twist are decided by the punters spinning a wheel. Finally they also have a fine big screen for the football as well as smaller screens near the gaming area. Yes, they even offer the traditional drinking games of pool and darts. This is how a pub renovation ought to work but now all we have to hope is that they remain only one of a number of types of pub and do not turn up in place of everyone's local. (KS)

XS, Wilmslow Road Fallowfield

Another pub in Fallowfield aiming for the student pound, its lucky to be around apparently as Sainsbury's next door wanted the land it stands on for part of the supermarket. It is debatable whether its loss would have been mourned by Manchester's drinkers. XS used to be an Irish pub named Durty Nellie's and the only thing that has changed is the sign outside. It's a fairly cavernous beer hall with a large bar in the centre and can get quite crowded at the weekend. So much so that on Saturday nights the doormen often demand NUS identification before allowing entry. It has big screen football but the screen is so high that there is a serious risk of a crick neck, furthermore lights shine directly on the screen blurring the image. This seems rather pointless as they regularly hold drinks promotions which could achieve the same effect with much more satisfaction. (KS)

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