please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Closed and lifeless this afternoon. Is it still a pub?
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Wow this Pub has really changed recently, a load more beers on sale, full fridges, specials on three bottles and big brand lagers and bitters and they even do real ale again. I tried the Hob Goblin and Bombadier at �2.30 a pint and they do a light Priors organic ale at �1.50.
The staff seem to be really friendly not the usual miseries you get at some places and there seems to be new customers coming in from the MEN and the Green Quarter. The kitchen has been gutted out and they are now doing proper home cooked style foods to attract the workers that like a drink at lunch and after work. The new pricing structure seems to be attracting the right people to popularize the pub with new customers.
I was chatting with the new owner and landlady (Sylvia) she was telling me that the Sports channels would be on three TV screens in time for the start of the football season along with more real ales to bring in the old customers that have been lost by previous bad management.
I can definitely recommend the fresh spicy shish kebabs and the real ales and on a warm day the Beer garden is fabulous.
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In response to ROBCamra, yes i ventured into this establishment a few weeks ago after hearing it had reopened and what a disappointment! The same shabby, tired looking interior, two ales available one from Acorn which i sampled and left without finishing.
Once again a pub that has been taken over by people who don't understand the concept of real ale and think a pub runs itself. Interestingly Jim left rather hastily, which is a shame really as he improved the range of ales at the Smithfield.
Looks like another wasted opportunity.
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Once upon a time this pub was a fixture on the N4 Manchester pub crawl and was in the GBG for several years. It was then sold to a complete numpty who decided that his customers didn't want real ale. They did, and after a while it shut. Happily it's now reopen again and on Friday had two beers from Phoenix on the handpumps Navvy and Hopsack, both at the amazing price of �1.90 a pint. I had a pint of the Hopsack which was very good. The pub's had a bit of a spruce up on the inside, especially the toilets which certainly needed it. On the negative side the pinball has now gone and there were two sweary blokes in the pub who couldn't speak without fffing and this was despite the fact that the barmaid/landlady's young daughter was in the pub. Overall I'm glad it's reopened, but it's going to be a long hard slog to get it back to where it was.
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Back-street boozer in an area of derelict warehouses about half a mile north of Victoria Station. Formerly a CAMRA stalwart, it was run down and then closed last year. Owing to its location, few expected it to reopen but it has, and is serving real ale.
The pub is half-tiled outside with green and maroon, giving an atmosphere of faded grandeur. Inside, it's hardly changed- a central bar serves a roughly horseshoe room, with a a large TV as you enter and a pinball machine and gambling machine on the other side.
It was very quiet on Friday afternoon visit- hopefully more people will hear it has reopened to rectify this.
Pumps from Acorn, Prospect and Phoenix microbreweries shown on my visit, but only the Phoenix was available as the other two had run out- Hopsack, and it was very good indeed.
Not sure it's back to its best yet, but it's good to see it reopened and it's worth popping along to give it a go.
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Open again and real ale on, Jim from Smithfield so I'm told, will check out.
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This pub has now CLOSED and is boarded up.
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This pub has converted. No real ales. But a really good screen showing football for friends of the landlord. It's up to you.
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This pub has been under new management for a while now and the beer range and quality has slumped dramatically. After two bad experiences we've stopped going in now.
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Disappointed to read of btb's bad experience below. I suppose that can happen anywhere. However, I've always loved this place and it's an absolute pearler. The walk up Redbank(?) is a bit steep but that only adds to the enjoyment once you get there. The beer rarely less than excellent and they've done wonders in the beer garden. I miss the sight of the trams going by but can't complain, really. Nice to find a child-friendly pub in the area, too.
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Have visited this pub several times over the last twenty years or so, and have always rated it highly - great ales and a friendly welcome. However, a recent visit at the start of a Northern Quarter crawl was a huge disappointment. Of the three ales I tried, two were undrinkable. The last of these was bought in a round of seven pints. The Landlady? refused to change these, saying there was nothing wrong with the drink - but refused to taste it herself as she "doesn't drink the stuff". We left seven almost full pints on the table and went for some proper ale at the Marble Arch.
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An absolute cracker - epitomises what I love about Manc's Nthn Qtr (though slightly out). Very friendly and my children enjoyed the pinball, could have stayed there all Sunday afternooon
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A favourite pub. A huge chocie of ales, rivalling the Smithfield and beating the Beer House, and agood choice of reasonably priced
home cooked food. Down-to-earth and friendly.
Can be included in a Norther Quarter crawl at the expense of
a 10 or 15 minute walk through a rather industrial area.
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Does sell good beer, many guest ales. Beer garden out back is huge. Food excellent. Not noisy. A must see place.
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Nearly broke my ankle coming here after trying to take a short cut from the Marble Arch..jumping stones aint my strong point!...Good relaxed pub,though, needed a few halves before I found a beer I could hammer! ...Good value...Off to the Derby for a pint of Joeys is the normal next stop...its all pavement-thank God!!
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Sorted 'Back Street' pub, brill food, fine selection of ales, even a kiddies play area 'round back.
steviej - 4 May 2004 20:37 |
Attractive original tiled facade. Reputed to sell good beer too.
Tim Bannister - 21 Jan 2004 18:03 |
