Totally New Town..and Finding a Good Pub

[Spinko]

Forget for the moment you have done so internet research ...

I've just arrived in Manchester and apart from around 6 or 7 decent pubs I know of*, it's been an absolute chore finding decent boozers. * (For these I'd consider Salford Crescent, Knott Bar, Port St, Marble Arch, Angel, Smithfield, Brewdog).

Other ones I've gone in sometimes unconfidently have been Odd Bar, Marble (Thomas Street), the various Wetherspoons. I've had the odd couple of halves here or there.

Without reference to any online directory, I've found several signs of when a place is due a visit:

1) Negative: "Traditional ales" advertised
2) Negative "Cask ales" advertised on a poster
3) Positive: Cask ales individually advertised on a blackboard with reference to brewers
4) Positive: A pub called a "free house" (JDW possible excluded depending on opinion)
5) Negative: People smoking outside the entrance
6) Postive: People smoking somewhere outside nearby but not right near the entrancre
7) Positive: An interesting pub sign
8) Negative: A pub sign with lettering on, with the fewer the worse
9) Negative: Double glazed windows
10) Positive: Ornate windows

Despite of this I still can't find the one pub in Manchester that I want to just sit in for a nice few pints and watch the world go by!

[ROBCamra]

Try

The Briton's Protection Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59999/)
The City Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59965/)
Peveril of the Peak (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54094/)
Rain Bar (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55827/)

3 traditional pubs plus a bar next to the canal. Who knows, you might even like one of them. ;)

[Quinno]

4) Positive: A pub called a "free house" (JDW possible excluded depending on opinion)

Until recently the Fox and Hounds (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/61613/) near me had freehouse on the pub sign but only sold a terrible pint of Pride and was one of the grottiest pubs in my local area. It's amazing that whilst many licensees are trying to get free-of-tie, this one apparently had it and yet did the square root of f-all. :confused:

[Brewguru]

Until recently the Fox and Hounds (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/61613/) near me had freehouse on the pub sign but only sold a terrible pint of Pride and was one of the grottiest pubs in my local area. It's amazing that whilst many licensees are trying to get free-of-tie, this one apparently had it and yet did the square root of f-all. :confused:

Most of them belong to the 3 major pubcos: Enterprise, Punch and Admiral. Alot of the pubs round here even say on their signs "An Enterprise Inns Freehouse" when that statement couldn't be further from the truth. Their beer range often consists of, er Doom Bar and, er Doom Bar. :moremad:

[Spinko]

Try

The Briton's Protection Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59999/)
The City Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59965/)
Peveril of the Peak (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54094/)
Rain Bar (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55827/)

3 traditional pubs plus a bar next to the canal. Who knows, you might even like one of them. ;)

Briton's Protection was spot on, though I had been there before (I grew up in Salford), but a cracking pint of Cheshire Gold went down very well.

The City Arms was a good find. It's in a tough part of the city to find,mbut I had two great halves in there, one of a Chocolate Chilli Stout and the other a Lancaster Blonde.

Peveril of the Peak, as usual, was shut!

Rain Bar served only JW Lees boring brown beer.

I ended up at Marble Arch on the Motueka which was excellent and had some food there too. Headed on after to the Smithfield which I didn't rate - mediocre beer and a landlady who was both more interested in the slot machine and decided to turn the jukebox off as she didn't like The Smiths.

I also foun The Bank, a Nicholson's pub on the edge of Piccadilly Gardens and a barmaid who wouldn't have been out of place in a porn movie.

[Delboy20]

[QUOTE=Spinko;45538] Headed on after to the Smithfield which I didn't rate - mediocre beer and a landlady who was both more interested in the slot machine and decided to turn the jukebox off as she didn't like The Smiths.

/QUOTE]

WHAT ???? :moremad: :moremad: :moremad:

I have been in the Smithfield but I will never set foot in it again - Any pub which turns off the greatest band of all time is not worthy of my custom !!

PS - I have tried to visit the Peveril 3 times without success !!

[ROBCamra]

[QUOTE=Delboy20;45542 PS - I have tried to visit the Peveril 3 times without success !![/QUOTE]

The easiest way to visit the Pev is to go when it's open!!! ;)

It's open 12 - 3 Mon - Fri but not Saturday unless Man U are at home.

Then 5 - 11 at night.

Sundays is 5 - 10:30.

Simples.

[Spinko]

Well I've found one I think I'll be visiting a few more times, The Gas Lamp. Gaslamp (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/73019/) Only 2 ales on, but it had that dinginess that all the best pubs have, and very friendly bar staff. The New Oxford The New Oxford (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60114/) will probably become a favourite too being only 5 mins walk away. I'm slowly working my way through the Northern Quarter bars, which seem to be hit and miss. One I haven't yet got to is the Castle Hotel Castle Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25799/). Most frequented so far have been the Brewdog bar and Marble Arch.

[ROBCamra]

Only 2 ales on, but it had that dinginess that all the best pubs have, and very friendly bar staff.

And it's almost brand new, opened at the end of 2010!!

We call in regularly.

Note to self, remember to update the review when we next visit. :cheers: