please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This was a great place but since the new owners have taken over the real ale selection has become extremely safe,this according to one employee is because they are tied, but the place is owned by private individuals so that's bollocks. Rose The girl behind the bar with the tattoos can be rude and unfriendly it's better when the guys are on.
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The best pub in Ashton under lyne. If you like your real ale and good music this is really a must visit place. Also sells a real cider which was excellent.
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The same owners as the feathers in Ashton under Lyne have took over this place, kept the same staff but changed the real ale and gone down the safe route. Although I've heard it's selling better due to the fact they have now introduced sky sports and free pool.
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This pub is up for sale which is a huge shame as this pub is the best in Ashton under lyne by a country mile. Please someone buy this great institution.
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Great pub: full of character - and characters! Three or four cask ales plus real cider on hundpump. Live music in the back room on various nights. Relaxed atmosphere in the front seven days a week. 9/10.
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This place is quite difficult to find. It's tucked away right at the western end of Old Street in an area that looks as if it has been completely knocked down and rebuilt, leaving just the pub as it was. But it's still a fairly run down area. It's billed as a real ale pub and it did not disappoint. Beers on were Holts Bitter, Jennings Sneck Lifter, Wychwood Hobgoblin & the Dogs Bollocks & Moorhouses Blond Witch. In addition they had a scrumpy cider that was listed as New Forest Snakecatcher Scrumpy, but tasted more like Westons Old Rosie to me. Has a strange mix of characters inside. But overall I was relatively impressed with this pub. Marginally my pub of the day in Greater Manchester.
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Over the past few weeks I've been going in the witchwood and have to say the beer has been mostly on form. The problem they seem to have is that they order dark beers for the summer and light ones for the winter. It's just a preference of mine and nothing against anyone who drinks dark beers in summer. Seems to have loads of leaflets about camra and the s.p.b.w which is good.
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not bad bar staff need to be a bit nicer but over all not bad
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Has recently changed ownership, but still with regular bar staff. Prices have dropped and several decent guest ales are on for a reasonable �2.20 a pint. I enjoyed the Boggart Rum Porter the other day.
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Prices have been lowered back to reasonable levels but only 4 beers available on a Sat afternoon.
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Paid a visit this weekend to find they've raised their prices by about 60 /70 pence a pint! They had some good beers to choose from but were charging �2.80 and �2.90 for beers around the 4.5% abv mark. This would be expensive for Manchester and is certainly well over the top for Ashton. Is this greed or are they deliberately trying to run the pub down?
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The Witchwood has had a rocky ride in the recent past, but the new owners have managed to turn the pub around and it's now once again the premier real ale outlet in Ashton Town Centre. A great selection of ales are on offer and a taste is offered if you're not sure which to go for. The staff are helpful and friendly but remember this is a music venue also and the jukebox can sometimes be a bit loud. There is, however, an outdoor area you can use and the bar area is also quieter than the main room. This is a little bit of Old Ashton that's like an oasis amidst the new Office / housing developments.
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Went in this pub against my better jugdement.Only about 7 in but took a while to get served due to changing a barrel. I asked which guest was the most popular thinking it would be in the best condition, the one recommended was off, when i returned it the barmaid said i thought it was off, so why recommend it. The replacement while not being off wasnt a good quality. This pub has seriously gone downhill and now it wouldnt bother me if the regeneration swallowed it up.
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Recently changed hands and has undergone inside and out refurb. Still retains all that's best about the Witchwood, but now looking good and cared-for. On a recent visit the ales were tip-top (including two priced at only �1.50 a pint) and were joined by real cider - Thatcher's Cheddar. Cheers!
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This pub has its ups and downs. When the ales are good, they are very good. Consistency seesm to be the problem. No doubt uncertainty about its future doesn't help matters.
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sadly i would agree with all the above. it was a great pub untill recently now i think it is doing more to harm live music and real ale than it is to help it.
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Awful! The decent staff have all gone, the customer service is non existant and quality and choice of beer sold has really gone down hill.
Where once there were staff who seemed interested in the beer and customers they have now been replace by ones who dont give a c**p and seem more suited to a busy nightclub.
The place is dirty, the staff are always complaining, there is nothing in the way of atmosphere and if you ask for your pint to be topped up you now get glared and tutted at.
anonymous - 15 Sep 2006 04:12 |
The ales definatly need sorting out. They have hardly any variety and the quality of the ones they have on is quite apauling. Put the prices up, look for a new suplier or two and clean your lines!!!
gecko - 13 Aug 2006 20:20 |
Put the prices UP!!
Get rid of the smelly crew and concentrate on improving the quality of the ale.
anonymous - 18 Jun 2006 23:19 |
This place has really gone down hill recently. The three assistant managers along with a number of staff have walked out in the last few months and its rumored that more are to follow.
The quality of the beer varies from OK to appalling and the majority of the staff who are still there don't seem to have a clue as to what they are doing. Even the largers seem now to be suffering and a few people have reported feeling ill after drinking the real ales!
My advice is that if you must drink here stick to bottles, at least then you know what your drinking.
anonymous - 12 Jan 2006 12:27 |
As a student, I beg to differ with the 'over-priced' comment as regards the Witchwood. The staff are always friendly, there are plenty of 'Real' ales at the bar - always under �1.80 (even for the 'Boutique' types, not just the standards) and its the cheapest around for lagers (Your usual Fosters, Kronenbourg etc). Table service is also included gratis - the always helpful staff dont even expect a tip.
In short, its the best pub for miles around, bar the Station - which is owned by the same people anyway.
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too expensive for me already.
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Congratulations Witchwood. Fantastic news and thanks to everyone for their support, although those smelly hippy soap dodging tight-arse, all-mouth, lazy lay-about friends of Swampy are probably dissappointed they want be able to start fighting, eh MrBeanz, They do more harm than good and turn off genuine support. However, now would be a good time to put prices up I agree 100%, both ale sales and the door for gigs,. It's a great pub/venue but can be even better with a very small move up-market. No-one wants to go home smelling like a sweaty roll-up fag an' a fart. Don't be shy of making a few quid more for the sake of the Witchwood's future and the punters. Rate 7 out of 10
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Great pub, great beer. Hats off to hard-working owners and pleasant staff. Great ale lover characters like wobbly-bob and cask club Graham but too many Freinds of the Earth wierdos and boring strange beard tree people. Some half decent bands as well. Unfortunately it's got a cheapstake reputation so I'd be in favour of increasing prices.(slightly). Good initial support from regulars for Save the Witchwood campaign but again these Freinds of the Earth cheapskates are just all talk. Perhaps they could chain themselves to the chimney in protest and stay up there 'til the bulldozers turn up.
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had the pleasure of visiting this superb pub while on hols in pommieland recently. loved it reminds me of the punters club a similar venue in melbourne. and what galah said the witchwood is over priced. get real mate
james stoker - 30 Aug 2004 13:48 |
Used to park overnight at the back of this pub when I was a lorry driver. Always broke my tacho time to get there, cos as is said above, it was one of the best for miles. good to hear its still going strong.
Jimbo Smith - 8 May 2004 23:53 |
I bought The Witchwood with my two partners, Ben & Dan, after years as manager here for other owners. Its hard work, especially in our first year as an independent pub, but have a great staff team we are very proud of, and the best, most loyal & genuine regulars and supporters you will ever find!
If you call in to see us, let us know what you think - feedback and suggestions are always very welcome!
pauline - 19 Apr 2004 21:43 |
I went to this pub on Friday for the first time time in years and will defiantly be going back! They had a good range of bitters, the locals were all friendly, the juke box had some good songs on and the barman who served me was polite and knew his ales despite looking like a member of a Canadian boy band.
Tomo - 17 Apr 2004 20:32 |
classic pub the bar staff are a credit to their profession great cask ales some at a quid a pint special cask nights on thursday. the best juke box in ashton. sadly this pub is under threat due to a proposed business park please developers dont take my witchwood away.
fat dog - 12 Apr 2004 18:30 |
If your in the area and your in the mood for a locally brewed cask ale or a more famous classic you can do a lot worse than calling in this pub for a pint or two (we even do FREE samples).We have a large stock of vodkas, whiskeys, bottled drinks, lagers, stout and more. We have also just won three prizes at the publican awards!
ike - 29 Mar 2004 00:29 |
Absolutely bloody excellant!!
great for a quiet drink in the daytime or evening in the front bar - and also bloody fantastic for gigs during the + it is the friday night venue... all the staff and management are really friendly.. as the regulars and the booze is some of the cheapest around.. definately where i would recommend
kelly - 28 Mar 2004 14:35 |
Best range of spirits for miles, well worth a visit!
anon - 28 Mar 2004 14:14 |
An all round great night out and one of the few places to feel truley safe in Ashton. With great local bands and the best atmosphere around it rates 10/10 for any pub within 15 mile of my house!
anon - 28 Mar 2004 12:14 |
Brilliant live music venue with Guest Ales, superb atmosphere, pleasant staff. Good tribute bands , and up n coming bands, DILE, EMERGENCY etc
Mr. Winston - 3 Mar 2004 11:24 |
i visited this pub in 2001 and it was great during the day but completely different when i went back of a night. the atmosphere had been lost and it was full of old men smoking their roll-ups through their yellow stained fingers. all in all, a good daytime pub, but go elsewhere at night.
david - 25 Feb 2004 10:16 |
Great live music venue, good, reasonably priced drinks!
anonymous - 14 Feb 2004 18:13 |
Now that Aunty P ownz the place it is even better than it once was! Best night out in Ashton!! (DJ Tom on a friday kicks ass as well).
My T Jimpo - 5 Feb 2004 12:55 |
Cheap and cheerful. Splendid night out.
smokey - 18 Dec 2003 09:29 |
The Witchwood kicks ass! Ive been going every Friday for over a year and its still a great atmosphere! Oh yes.
Bob - 18 Dec 2003 09:25 |
the witch is fab. i've been goig 10 years and I still love it. To say the beer is overpriced is wrong, and to say that it is too full of rockers and has a bad athmosphere is very wrong.
I walk in and feel welcome and there is always somebody with something new to say.
Friday nights are the best, particulary if you fancy a few bevies and a good old boogie.
The bands are great too, an interesting selection.
Maybe I am biased, but I love the place, don't knock it till you have tried it.
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The best rock venue in the area, and the student pub in Manchester, good music and a friendly atmosphere. It was a dive (complete with sticky floors, dingy rooms and shoddy workmanship), but it was our dive, and I loved it for it!
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itz shite. ashton is great but pub is baaad. i think its overpriced too. full of rock people! :(
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the greastest Pub EVER!
Amazing atmosphere, top live acts, great sound system, perfect for bikers/rockers like myself, and Hoegaarden Grand cru is the house beer, so it is jesus :-D
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The best bar in town. 2 rooms. Good music. A little cramped at times but adds to atmosphere. Come here and get very drunk (until 1 am on fridays in back room). Woohoo
Ryan Devlin - 21 Aug 2003 22:08 |
John Otway & Lindisfarne? Must be GBBF 2003 & also the Hamsters.
Pawel Kwak - regularly at the Magpie Brebtford. Enjoy Belgian Beer better than the lace.
Jinx - 2 Aug 2003 10:10 |
it is sticky and slightly grubby.
dj tom smith is lovely.
maybe i am a poet,
if lovely rhymes with grubby.
oh no; it is merely an example of assonance.
she-ra - 19 Jul 2003 02:15 |
If you like Jethro Tull check out COLD FLAME live at The Witchwood on Sunday Aug.2ND.A Tull tribute show with support act sounds like a night not to be missed - miss it at your peril
will - 16 Jun 2003 18:27 |
Just wonderin, whole chain of events leadin up to this are pointless so i'll leave that out, but it said on a search that HollowBliss are to be playing in the witchwood? well, im the bassist from HollowBliss an i know nothing about this so maybe somebody could shine a light on this and mail osmething back to me at [email protected] Cheers.
Liam - 3 Jun 2003 14:04 |
Wayhey! Fame at last! Actually, the wood is probably the best local place to play. Neat bands, tidy and you don't stick to the walls when you lean against 'em:)
mecca - 24 Mar 2003 13:55 |
Always easy to pull in the Wood, its not called that for no reason...:)
Bigarse - 21 Mar 2003 13:49 |
The classic. Many a night in the bogs spewing. Wayhey! Spotless too...
Phil - 21 Mar 2003 13:25 |
My God! The pub of all pubs! Great beer (Hoegaarden is a classic plus many weird and wonderfuls like Kwak!?!), Great Bands (Fastnetforce10, Kid Conspiracy) and Great People (Big up my boys on the sound desk! Joe and John!) Classic classic classic, and its not bad for rabbits too!
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Great pub, ace selection of beers, wide range of live music, rockin' jukebox, and in close proximity to the 24hr asda, & the only place where you can get away with asking the bar staff for a shag! (cocktail). I don't understand why I'm not there now, in fact............
spike - 13 Mar 2003 13:59 |
not a bad place 2 hang.... great if all your mates are out but gets a bit samey samey after a while
J - 4 Feb 2003 17:58 |
This pub is....HollowBliss are to be playing the Witchwood soon....the best pub ever. Nice..bear, old beard selections etc.
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Top night out love it on a friday night. Top gigs! Meet lots of nice people and make friends. Keep music live!! Top shooters there mad!!
Rach - 14 Jan 2003 19:50 |
can be good just watch your head on the low beam if your ever playing and decide to jump into the crowd, very painfull
Clive - 7 Jan 2003 17:46 |
i go every friday and it never gets boring
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sorry, but since when have the witchwood been overpriced???
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I saw Babylon Zoo here before Spaceman ever managed to get into the Top 100 singles! They were rubbish. Top place to go to see new bands and some old favourites too.
Clare - 19 Nov 2002 08:44 |
Good selection of guest real ales. Good bands(live music most nights/most tastes). Have seen John Otway, Wilko Johnson, Lindisfarne (to name the most memorable). Been in Good Beer Guide many times.
frank - 15 Nov 2002 09:34 |
really fit bar man called kev (or chips).
cheap, friendly, good night out. they now do cocktails and shooters wich are mint!
anonymous - 12 Oct 2002 15:22 |
Top pub, as overpriced as they come, but hey, I still go
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