BITE user comments - pub_patron
Comments by pub_patron
While it may come as a bit of a culture shock to people from other parts of the UK, Wetherspoon's outlets are pretty much the only pubs in Northern Ireland where real ale is regularly available. The Bridge House probably has the widest range of ale and bottled beers/ciders in Belfast city centre but it remains pretty generic JDW.
29 Nov 2010 15:32
The Peveril Of The Peak, Castlefield
One of Manchester city centre's most modest but fascinating Victorian buildings. Not the best place around for ale but the Peveril excels in every other respect.
24 Nov 2010 09:15
Easily the best pub in the area and very popular with local office workers. The clientele isn't very varied (at least during the week), it mostly attracts middle aged men but the crowd is generally very welcoming. The range of ales is quite extensive but not very adventurous. Probably the most appealing thing about the place is its layout and decoration, it retains some interesting art-nouveau tiling in the hall at the rear of the bar and an intimate snug with an art deco fireplace.
24 Nov 2010 09:11
Visited last week and had a Lees bitter which was off. However, the music was pretty good, it seems to have a late license and it was much less busy than the Castle across the road. I would probably just opt for a lager next time though.
22 Nov 2010 12:11
The Smithfield Hotel, Manchester
Some may find The Smithfield slightly intimidating - it has largely resisted the process of gentrification which has consumed the 'Northern Quarter'. I imagine plenty of people would see that as good thing and it continues to serve an excellent and extensive selection of ales at great prices.
12 Nov 2010 10:33
Interesting decor and vintage/antique furniture. However, they don't serve ale and the staff are particularly unpleasant. Awful music also (generally 90s pop hits - presumably intended to be in some way 'ironic').
12 Nov 2010 10:29
Trof Northern Quarter, Manchester
Trof has quite a lot in its favour - an imaginatively renovated building, a good atmosphere, great food and an okay range of bottles. However, the prices are increasingly exorbitant and there still isn't any real ale available. Most of the bottled beers can be found elsewhere in the Northern Quarter.
12 Nov 2010 10:22
Pleasant bar and the one place in this part of Thomas Street which offers real ale. It's also cheaper than most of its neighbours.
12 Nov 2010 10:15
The Marble Brewery's new venture in the Northern Quarter. Has great well-kept ale like all their pubs and is in a good location close to other bars. However, it is extremely small and has been very cramped each time I've visited.
12 Nov 2010 10:10
Bar Centro was once one of the Northern Quarter's premier bars but it seems to have been usurped somewhat in recent years particularly by Thomas Street's imbibing emporia.
3 Nov 2010 04:35
No ale and there are much better bars in the area. The tiled basement is probably the venue's most interesting feature.
3 Nov 2010 04:26
One of the Northern Quarter's vaguely bohemian 'style bars' and probably one of the area's better options. They have recently installed two pumps and now serve real ale at �3 a pint (which is actually cheaper than some of the area's pubs). I think Odd is the only other bar in the area that serves cask ale.
3 Nov 2010 04:23
I never find the Rook & Gaskill very welcoming either but it certainly has the best selection of ales in the city and they're generally in great condition too. Nothing particularly interesting about the pub itself though, The Phoenix nearby is a more pleasant place.
13 Mar 2010 23:14
Aimed at the slightly macho Madchester market primarily providing overpriced mass-produced lagers to groups of lads. Probably not as bad as that sounds, however!
25 Feb 2010 19:26
Fascinating interior with good, well-kept ales. Often seems a bit empty when I visit, unfortunately.
25 Feb 2010 19:20
Never any cask ales and some of their bottled beers cost in excess of �4 now! Nevertheless the food is good and it's easily the most interesting bar in Fallowfield.
25 Feb 2010 19:13
Great that the pub is open again, although its obviously not quite the same place. Prices have increased and Old Tom no longer seems to be available. However, it now opens late each night (1am, I think) without any entry charge.
25 Feb 2010 19:01
The John Hewitt, Belfast
Easily the best option in Belfast for ale drinkers although the range is by no means extensive.
29 Nov 2010 15:45