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Manchester City
ONE PUB ONLY?
Marble Arch
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
It needs a bus or taxi after the Hare and Hounds, Smithfield and Marble Arch
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Marble Arch
| | Manchester United
ONE PUB ONLY?
Knott Bar
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Peverill of the Peak, Knott Bar and White Lion before metro ride.
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Knott Bar
CHANGES FROM GUIDE
Closed - Beer House
Removed due to distance from Ground - Old Market Tavern, Station
|  |  Crescent
18 - 20 The Crescent Telephone 0161 7365600
G Iris Phillips
F Good quality home - cooked pub food 11.30 to 2.30 Mon, Wed Sat, 11.30 to 7 Tue, Thu, Fri
TV
O 11 to 11, 12 to 10,30 Sun Later licence applies here
The Crescent is my alternative to the town centre route and is included because so many have recommended it. It is one of those places that are hard to leave. During the week the Salford University intelligentsia create a thinking persons’ drinking - den. On evenings and weekends the real ale crew come and goes sampling an excellent range of rarer micro - brews. It is made up of four very different rooms all with special character. I liked the front bar where the country - style fireplace and photos catch the imagination. Football lovers were congregated in the left hand bar sat on sofas and enjoying a critical dissection of all things United. The whole pub has historic timber - framed rooms and has a feeling of a Beer Keller complete with European beers.
UPDATE: The pub was packed every time I visited. Real ale festivals are held four times a year.
BWV 12.3.05: Blackwater Dragon Master, Enville Womaniser, Holden’s Black Country Mild, Hydes Bitter, Jennings Golden Host, Mill St. Stargazer, Phoenix Thirsty Moon, Northern Soul Master, Rooster’s Special, Thatcher’s Scrumpy
BWV 27.4.06: Archers IKB, Bazens’ Black Pig Mild, Fugelstou Full Strength. Hydes Bitter, St. George’s Bitter, Marston Moor Purveyor General, Milestone Olde Home Wrecker, Rooster’s Special, Rudgate Erik the Red, Thatcher’s Scrumpy | |  Hare and Hounds
Shudehill M4 4AA Telephone 0161 8349088
G Anita Bowles
F Sandwiches plus pickled eggs and onions
MP TV BM P D
O 11 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Hare and Hounds has national historical importance and a chance to get top quality Holts in great surroundings. The pub was described“as a mans’ pub” yet it will be a great place for the early evening pint before the cinema or in a place to chill out before a metro ride to the game. It is very much a regulars’ pub, it just happens they come from a wider area than usual. Mark of London enthuses as he says “the banter is always good humoured, the atmosphere congenial, and the beer is always spot on!” The many visitors marvel at the 1930’s refurbishment complete with tube station style tiling and glass screens. Pat reassuringly says “its not only City and United they support, it’s the game of football.” I would need to be convinced however, to join in the passion for eggs and pickles, either before or after a game. This is one of my award winning pubs for 2005 - 06.
UPDATE: Sky has gone but may return. The pub is essentially the same. Sing - along and folk epitomises the pubs character.
BWV 12.3.05: Holt Bitter, Tetley's Cask Bitter
BWV 25.4.06: Holt Bitter, Tetley’s Cask Bitter
Update: The Holts is excellent, even if the only brew now available. The pub is architecturally satisfying and well placed by the Arndale Centre and near Victoria Station.
BWV 26/12/08: Always: Holt’s Bitter (only) | |  Knott Bar
374 Deansgate, M3 4LY Telephone 0161 399229
G Denise
F Good value home - cooked organic food 12 to 8
MP JB D
O 12 to 11.30 Sun - Wed, 12 to 12 Thu, 12 to 12.30 Fri - Sat
The Knott bar was the mostly oft suggested new entry for this year. . It has a great reputation among the locals for great choices selected from smaller regional breweries. This middle - aged trendy really likes the industrial chic of this type of pub. It is intriguingly an archway - bar that appears to have spilled beyond the viaduct walls via balconies and a conservatory style room.
The pub will be busy on match days. The GMex tram stop is directly opposite the corner entrance. Scott, in charge on the day of my visit, is a keen enthusiast for real ale and was sure to point out that the locals are of all ages and characters. James from the White Lion joined me in a beer under the amusing posters that decorate the walls. The Viz example was highly appropriate and exemplified the self - deprecating humour I found throughout the city centre. Oz, the Lebanese football fan chef, was the next to join us and soon it was apparent that this happy team certainly create a place where non - locals will find good friendship. There are plans to extend the open air kitchen as well as the cellar. No doubt this pub that does good food will resist the gastro trend and the regulars will benefit from an even greater range of quality ale and interesting food. The trains rumble overhead, the conversations continue unaffected by this, or by the great music that plays at a perfect level in the background. I left to the sound of the Smiths; “happy in the haze.”
BWV 25.4.06: Fyne Highlander, Marble Roadrider, The Ginger Marble, Ossett Silver King, Timothy Taylor Landlord | |  Marble Arch
73 Rochdale Rd, M4 4HY Telephone 0161 8325914
G John Rogers
F Classic British cuisine, all home - cooked and locally sourced 12 to 7.30 Mon - Sat, 12 to 5.30 Sun
MP JB D
O 11.30 to 11 Mon - Wed, 11.30 to 12 Thu - Sat, 12 to 10,30 Sun
The Marble Arch is the best home brewing pub in the Greater Manchester area and as a result is always popular at weekends and in the evening. You should never use the term classic to describe the pub, it is that and more, being staggeringly beautiful in its idiosyncratic style. That beauty owes much to chance discoveries of the original floor, wall friezes and ornate tiling, when this 1880’s pub was renovated one hundred years on. Whether looking up from your beer to the heavens above, or rolling up to the bar to sample the excellent Marble range of ales; every time you will notice something new. The pub has one long single bar plus a rear non - smoking space that has a view of the brewery store. The rear room is often the place that has to be used because it gets so busy. For a more relaxing visit try it on a mid afternoon session when the posties and office workers begin their post work relaxation exercises. Man City fans suggest that is busy 20 minutes to the ground by pre - ordered taxi. The pub is already a destination point for CAMRA crawlers. I have made this my final point of call whenever visiting the Shudehill district. John has been in charge for the last year and the pub gets even better. It is very much a great pub that does good food. It would be my choice for a bar meal before the game
BWV 25.4.06: Archers Spirit of St. George, Greene King IPA, Marble GSB, Lagonda IPA, Manchester Bitter, Roadrider, The Ginger Marble, Uncut Amber Ale, Titanic English Flag, Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley Cider | |  Peveril of the Peak
127 Gt. Bridgewater St, M1 5JQ Telephone 0161 2366364
G Maurice Swanwick
F Bar snacks and straightforward pub meals 12 to 2
MP TV JB P
O 12 to 3, 5 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 11 on match day Sat, 7 to 10.30 Sun
Oddly shaped and beautifully designed this pub is the place to enjoy pub quirkiness. Bar Football, a mad jukebox and a triangular bar with maximum serving area; all add to the charm of this gem. It is a place for small groups only, as large numbers would soon fill it. “It feels like you could be stepping back into an anachronistic time warp pre war pub. A good selection of real ales is available and they are always in immaculate condition.” (Beer advocate) The other advantage is that The Peveril of the Peak is the most traditional of real ale houses in an area full of alternatives. “It is in total contrast to the nearby and excellent Rain Bar.” Similarly the open welcome for footie and ale fans contrasts with the welcome you might receive in other local pubs. On Manchester United days the pub will be heaving, so my advice is to make it part of a city day or a weekend away visit. You cannot miss the pub, just look out for the tiles on the outside, the heritage status is plainly obvious.
UPDATE: Still sparkling as ever, nothing has changed except for the reflections in the mirror.
BWV 8.06.04: Boddingtons Bitter, Wells Bombardier, Wychwood Hobgoblin.
BWV 25.4.06: Black Sheep Bitter, Copper Dragon Copper Dragon, Wells Bombardier, Wychwood Hobgoblin | |  Smithfield Hotel and Bar
Swan St, M4 5JZ Telephone 0161 8394424
G Jennifer Poole
MP SK JB P
O 12 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
This is a long narrow bar that manages to satisfy a wide range of real ale hunters. The landlady has a deservedly good reputation for quality ales that are different to the local norm. It will get crowded but seating soon becomes available as crawlers come and go. My visit was part of a footie away weekend and with cheap accommodation both here and in nearby guest houses you find that Manchester is a great location for a large number of teams. I would have liked to stay near here, in my case for a Rochdale away game. Places are often taken by real ale trekkers basing themselves in the Shudehill area. The great attraction is as always the choice of ever - changing guest ales and the warm, faintly old - fashioned, company you find here.
UPDATE: The local pool team continues to win all the local league tournaments. Marlene now manages the bar and the ales continue to shine.
BWV 18.12.04 Robinson’s Dark Hatter, Fuller’s Jack Frost, Lodden Razzle Dazzle, Oakham Gravity, Chimera Winter Weasel, Phoenix Smithfield.
BWV 25.4.06: Coach House Squire’s Gold, Durham Spring Goddess, Gray’s England’s Glory, Greenfield Pride of England, Little Valley Tod’s Blonde, Phoenix Smithfield Bitter, Robinson’s Dark Hatters, Wye Valley St. George’s Bitter
From the Smithfield Swan Street becomes Great Ancoats Street leading all the way to the well-populated route to City of Manchester Stadium.
BWV 26/12/08: Robinson’s Dark Hatter, Titanic Iceberg, Leeds Christ Almighty, 3 Rivers Crystal Wheat, Northern Doin’ Fine/Soul Legends, Durham Dynamite, Phoenix Humbug, Facer’s Smithfield | |  White Lion
43 Liverpool Rd. M3 4NQ Telephone 0161 8327373
G Rose Wong
F Good value home cooked menu from all day breakfasts to steaks 12 to 6
MP SK D
O 11 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The White Lion has been a regular haunt of mine over the last few years but has missed out being entered because of Manchester’s’ overall ale excellence. I include it this year because it represents a much needed variation on the circuit by offering ever changing national guest ales in a very traditional town local. It also has three factors that are unique to this pub.
Firstly the pub has a large and attractive outside drinking area. You will not be trusted by the local authority to drink from glass but the possibilities for evening drinking al fresco are splendid here. The second is that the pub offers a barge trip to the game. By early booking via Matt (call the pub for a number) and for £10 return, you can go by canal to Old Trafford on water Finally; if the best pubs are made something special by the staff that run it, then the White Lion is extraordinary. From the first second I entered this great side street pub I felt welcomed by the instant banter that was flying mutually between host and guest. James, behind the bar, doubles as Karaoke and D.J. host. He has a rapier like wit that ranges on subjects that are normally taboo in pub culture. Add in a genuine enthusiasm for good real ale and you just know that a typical match day visit will be something you will always remember. The pub is the home for United fans who mix readily with new visitors. The banter is infectious. The locals are made up of the typical mix of office workers and new apartment residents from the city developments.
BWV 25.4.06: Adnams Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars IPA | | | LOCAL CAMRA | | 
CITY OF MANCHESTER STADIUM
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OLD TRAFFORD
| | LOCAL BREWERY
Boggart Hole Clough
Building 7
Wilsons Park
Monsall Road
Newton Heath
Manchester
M40 8WN
Telephone 0161 277 9666
www.boggart-brewery.co.uk
LOCAL BREWERY
Marble Brewery
The Marble Arch
73 Rochdale Rd, M4 4HY
Telephone 0161 8325914 | | WETHERSPOONS
The Manchester & County 49 Piccadilly Manchester M1 2AP Opening Times: Mon-Sun 9am-11.30pm
The Waterhouse 67-71 Princess Street Manchester M2 4EG Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Seven Stars 6-8 Dantzic Street Manchester M4 2BS Opening Times: Sun-Wed 11.30am-midnight; Thu-Sat 11.30am-2am
The Paramount 33-35 Oxford Street Manchester M1 4BH Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Moon Under Water 68-74 Deansgate Manchester M3 2FN Opening Times: Sun-Wed 9am-midnight; Thu-Sat 9am-1am
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