Lloyds Hotel, Chorlton cum Hardyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A large Lees pub with a pleasant conservatory at the back overlooking the bowling green. Couple of decent cask ales. We had considered eating there, but the food menu was very limited so we ate elsewhere.
alexw - 24 Mar 2013 08:05 |
After deliberating over whether to go in here due to the place stinking of urine the last time I had been in, we went in here for some lunch today and got quite a shock. When we approached the bar we were told that they had no draught lagers. Then I noticed a sign behind the bar stating that the credit card machine wasn't working so card payments were not being accepted.
After ordering a bottle of lager and asking for a menu, we were told that the roast dinners weren't on but everything else was. This gave a choice of a burger, a fry up or a salad. My choice: drink the bottle of Corona and out the door.
This used to be the best pub in Chorlton when Bass had it and Dave was the landlord. You couldn't move in the vault on a Sunday lunchtime and people used to travel in from outside Chorton. Then it was sold to whoever owns Edward's and �500,000 spent on turning it into a glorified dump, followed by even more spent by JW Lees on turning it into the hole it is now.
No beer, no food, no customers, Mr Men books behind the bar. God help us.
The barmaid had nice tits though.
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This pub used to be one of my favourites. However, the landlord has recently changed and the management now seems to consist of self-indulgent dilettantes. The atmosphere has changed completely. Now you get the impression that you are doing them a favour by them letting you drink in their pub. I for one will find somewhere else to drink, where the landlord understands the concept of hospitality.
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Hi- I am a fan of this pub. The limited choice of real bitter, is the only thing that lets it down. The JWLees did used to be a bit variable, but it HAS improved a lot. The ambience, staff, and live entertainment, are all excellent.
I don't understand why this site has reviews from 5 years ago, -and even one from 20 years ago!?- when pubs can change so quickly. The Lloyds has been very good since Marek took over as landlord a few years ago.
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Yeah but it's a Lees pub, so the beer is shite!
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If you're looking for a traditional British pub with a modern twist, plus live music, friendly staff and sensibly-priced drinks, The Lloyd's fits the bill.
A few years ago this attractive redbrick Victorian building accommodated a decidedly dodgy boozer known as Edwards, where you were scrutinised by overly-fierce bouncers, and rejected for having 'the wrong kind of shoes,' (despite wearing smart clothes), whilst women dressed like hookers, accompanied by hollow-cheeked, slack-jawed inbred males were allowed entry. Thankfully it was given a complete overhaul when the JW Lees team took over, and the pub began a new lease of life with a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, and a broader range of customers.
What is probably most appealing about the Lloyd's is its layout. It's far more homely in appearance than you might expect of a standard pub. The main space is divided up by half-height partition walls, giving the geeling of cosy semi-private snugs, whilst not actually separating you from the rest of the room. There are comfortable leather sofas, and deep armchairs throughout, as well as tables of varying dimensions to accommodate parties of all sizes.
In the daytime, pleasant recorded music is played at a comfortable volume in the background, allowing for easy conversation. (Someone behind the bar has a particular fondness for the 'Moon Safari' album by Air, which gives things a pleasant chilled vibe). As the sun sets, the staff come round and light candles on the tables and in hanging lanterns in doorways and above the bar. The main lights are dimmed to an intimate and flattering level, and in the winter a roaring log fire in the front of the pub adds to the flickering ambiance.
To the rear of the pub, with a view of the bowling green, is the restaurant area, where you can enjoy updated takes on traditional meals whilst watching a sedate match on the green.
The Lloyd's is an active supporter of live music, and hosts regular sessions showcasing local performers across a wide range of genres. Monday night is Irish folk with the Chorlton Fiddlers, and Thursday traditional blues-rock with the Bourbon Street Preachers. On the last Tuesday of every month, it's the Cajun Specials, where audience participation is welcome, if you feel like picking up a guiro or tambourine. There are also frequent guest performers from other genres, such as soul, jazz and even comedy pop. In addition, every Monday and Thursday night when the music is on, free food is provided (often a spicy sausage hot-pot).
The bar staff here are particularly friendly and attentive, always remembering the favourite tipples of the regular customers, and practically having your drink ready for you before you even ask for it!
In fact, there's very little I can say that's negative about The Lloyd's, except that when there's a football match on, sadly this takes precedence over all else, including the live music. Consequently both performers and audience are relegated to the smaller restaurant area for the evening. That said, sometimes the more intimate environment can actually be a lot of fun, so it all evens out ultimately.
This is a pub I visit very often and have taken a lot of friends there, who have all now become regulars too. I think that fact speaks for itself.
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Things have changed somewhat since your last reviewers' comments. There is good food, Lees Bitter on draught with a Lees seasonal brew - currently a winter warmer, a good range of wines and cocktails and a popular menu. There is an Irish music session every monday, cajun session every last tuesday of the month, rhythm and blues from the Bourbon Street Preachers every Thursday, and live music every Friday and Saturday featuring mainly regionally based jazz combos but other styles including soul, rock, ska, klezmer etc. The staff are friendly and the pib has a much better atmosphere with locals of all ages calling for the music or just for a drink and a chat.
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I WAS LAST IN THIS PUB AS FAR BACK AS 1980 WHEN I STAYED JUST DOWN THE ROAD FOR A WE SPELL ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, I HAD TRAVELLED DOWN LOOKING FOR A JOB IN MANCHESTER FROM SCOTLAND AT THE TIME. ANYHOW I RECALL IN SUMMER SITTING AT BACK THERE WAS A BOWLING GREEN IS IT STILL THEIR ? ANYHOW THE PUB SEEMED OK + I RECALL MEN PLAYING DARTS IN BAR ON A MANCHESTER BOARD. AND ALTHOUGH I WENT TO THE SEYMOUR HOTEL ABOUT 20 MINS OR SO WALK UP ROAD WHICH I LIKED, THIS ONE GUY JUST WANTED TROUBLE IN THERE BECAUSE I WAS FROM SCOTLAND HE SAID, AND I THEN GOT BARRED BECAUSE I EVENTUALLY RETALIATED, I MEAN WHAT CAN U DO IF SOMEONE STRIKES YOU, JUST STAND + LOOK. PS HIS NAME WAS I REMEMBER JIMMY BUT HE WAS A LOCAL GUY IN MANCHESTER, CHORLTON. BUT THE LlOYDS HOTEL WAS OK. STEVIE
anonymous - 11 Oct 2007 00:00 |
Used to be THE best pub in Chorlton by a mile and one of Bass`s best pubs in terms of takings.
Sold it to John Willie Lees,re-named it Edwards and turned it into an expensive,crap restraunt that happened to sell beer.
Back to The Lloyds now,but still an expensive,crap restraunt that happens to sell beer.
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Buy two pints of lager and you won't get change from a fiver. You'll have to pay more if anything. The service is quite good though. Don't think much of the food. Friendly barstaff.
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Very poor food not worth half what you pay, at least at the chippy over the road you can see them cook it fresh. If you want a quiet drink fine but not a place to eat or try and impress someone.
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Good pub,surprisingly quiet at times,considering the plus points previously outlined....The beer is very good(for these parts).
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Recent acquisition by Middleton brewer J.W.Lees. Very smart interior refurbishment, food usually available from excellent menu, retains bowling green at rear of the pub. Stocks the brewery's seasonal ales and strong beer, Moonraker, on draught. Music on occasionally.
Angie Taylor - 7 Mar 2004 11:50 |
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