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ONE PUB ONLY?
Ashton Arms
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Ashton Arrms, Three Crowns and then Rifle Range
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Manchester isn't far away.
|  |  Ashton Arms
28 - 30 Clegg St, OL1 1PL Telephone 0161 6309789
G Jo Potter
F Wholesome home cooked bar food 12 to 6 Mon - Thu, 12 to 3 Fri
MP TV
O 11.30 to 11 Mon - Thu, 11.30 to 11.30 Fri - Sat, 11.30 to 10.30 Sun
The pub opened in its present form in October 2003 having been one of the few Porters outlets. It is the home of the Oldham real ale fan clubs having regular changes of ales that keep the drinker who wants variety amply satisfied. Arranged like an extended comfortable lounge it has sofas for relaxed chat and more traditional stools and tables for those who feast on ales and sandwiches. While alcohol may well be the cause and cure of my problems (Homer Simpson) this pub is patently the great hall of ale in the Oldham real ale scene. It is a great town centre boozer with a very homely touch. The pub always has a range of ales like that listed below and is also renowned at being an outlet for Millstone ales, one of my favourite northern microbrews, unfortunately not on my visit though. It didn’t matter as the alternative was fine as was the locals company was fun.
UPDATE: The list of ales now stands over 1000, shed loads by any standards. The pub is also recognised in the Good Cider Guide. Guess what, buses stop outside.
BWV 11.2.05: Brewster’s Rutterkin, Greenfield Dobcross, Pictish Porter, Mauldons Moletrap, Boggart Hole Clough Bunny Boiler, Hydes Satisfaction, Weston’s Cider
BWV 27.4.06: Brewster’s Belly Dancer, Copper Dragon Black Gold, Marston Moor Purveyor General, Rudgate Starling, Shaws IPA, Woodland Midnight Stout
BWV 4.9.10 Acorn Gorlova Stout, Hallertau aroma, Bradfield Farmers Bitter, Farmers Blonde, Greenfield Longwood Thump, Hyde's Bitter, Shaw's Dukes Bitter, Gwynty Doraig Haymaker cider | |  Bank Top Tavern
King Square OL8 1ES Telephone 0161 6248603
G Terry and Pearl Morrison
F Home made and cheap good quality pub food 10 to 2 Mon - Sat, 10 to 5 Sun
MP TV JB D
O 10 to 12
Terry and Pearl have run the Bank Top for many years often being recognised by the local CAMRA members as a great local with a very friendly traditional feel. It is located near the Mecca Bingo Hall, an area of town that is likely to change dramatically over the next few years as the local college develops University status. The pub is large and rambles around to the back where a large area has been set aside for a proper pub restaurant. As with many other pubs in the town there is a redecoration / refurbishment started. This will not change what is essentially a very friendly family orientated pub. In JW Lees country the pubs have very little option with guest ales. The selection of the Bank Top comes from the unlucky residents of Oldham who recommend it for the quality of the ale and its real atmosphere. It is supplemented by seasonal ales when they are available. A function room is another that would be great for meetings of community groups as well as the usual wedding party / disco activities. Terry doubles as karaoke king and DJ at the weekend. At this time the students will have finished nursing a pint between two and the locals will have started the fun associated with a typical fun pub of the older variety. Don’t expect any modern bar frills, it is an honest boozer that will never disappoint. The locals will be friendly and Latic, but talk rugby league and you are more likely to find genuine enthusiasm.
BWV 27.4.06: Lees Bitter, GB Mild | |  Dog and Partridge
148 Middleton Rd, Royton, OL2 5LL Telephone 0161 6206403
G Neil Jackson and Rita Thompson
CP TV BM P D
O 4 to 12 Mon - Thu, 12 to 1am Fri - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Dog and Partridge is a pub that I had not visited for many years because the Latics and my team have parted company. It was with real relish that I made the trek from town to see how it had changed. The answer I found was that it was friendly, cosy, and traditional; just as I remembered it. The Lees ale included my favourite mild and the legacy of having a long established Guvn’or was obvious it this much loved and sparkling local.
Rita is herself a football fan. A club shirt holds centre stage above the fire in the larger carpeted main lounge. The pub has three rooms, the front two both having a dart board and bench seating around the walls. Most will congregate in the lounge, spotlessly clean and in the much - loved brass and dinner plate style. The pub has been recommended by many fans that enjoy the fact that it takes a detour from the main routes to find. The locals are very welcoming. The best plan is to ask their advice re the best way to walk through the estates to the ground. It is apparently less than 15 minutes, behind the now non productive Mill that lies to the rear. Of course the regulars include lost United and City fans and a fair number of the oval game devotees. Quizzes, karaoke and live music vary the community activities. My visit was the first hot day of the year and the cool of the bar was very welcome. If you only have time for one Lees pub then this will be the best if you like to meet similar minded real ale fans who also like to find something just a bit different, yet recognisable.
BWV 27.4.06: Lees Bitter, GB Mild | |  Rifle Range Inn
372 Burnley Lane, OL1 2QP Telephone 0161 6265543
G Ann and Jim Humphries
CP SK JB P D
O 12 to 11, 12 to 10,30 Sun
As one of the most recommended footie and ale pubs this is a place that away fans return to every year. It is convenient, a short walk to the ground and for a quick post - match getaway to the motorway. The pub is very customer orientated. It has two TV screens for the lunchtime matches, plenty of comfortable space and, best of all; Anne has been known to provide free food for the faithful who need something warm at what is reputedly the coldest ground in the country. On non - matchdays the memorial board is of interest to locals as is the picture of Prince Charles sampling Lees’ ales. I liked the overall feel of the place, more country farmhouse than town boozer, more family than blokes only. So if you have time to visit just one pub then the Rifle Range will provide a great welcome, a chance to mix with friendly locals and maybe best of all, no hassle involved in walking around the rather beer desolate town centre. There is a field at the back of the pub which acts as a car park so it is worth getting there early as an away fan.
UPDATE: Beer is the same good quality; the pub is in the process of redecoration.
BWV 11.2.05: Lees Mild, Bitter.
BWV 27.4.06: Lees Bitter, GB Mild | |  Three Crowns
1 - 3 Manchester Chambers, Manchester St, OL1 1LE Telephone 0161 6289301
G Paul Ratcliffe
F High quality, locally sourced home cooked menu 11 to 5.30 Mon - Fri, 11 to 3 Sat - Sun
MP TV BM P D
O 11 to 11, 12 to 11 Sun
When you visit the Three Crowns expect the beer list to have increased and the place to be even busier than reported to me. My visit found Paul in the difficult process of establishing his identity on the pub. He moved in a week before and already the locals had noticed the improvement and the good word was spreading.
The Crowns is very impressive, both internally and externally. The timber framed shell has a surprisingly light interior. You can play “Jackanory” with the windows. Through the rectangular window you get a view of the new bus stations. (How many does a town need?) The square windows reveal the red wall of the shopping precinct. Then, glory of glories, through the magnificent arched windows, is the Crown Court. The pub is essentially one big room but certainly not simple in design. Ceiling heights vary, screens separate drinking areas and different levels create a modern feel to this evidently historic building. Live music of the “easy listening” style provides a diversion from the norm, starting oddly at four in the afternoon. Sing - along - a - bus - stop maybe? Those buses will be handy for the trek along the Rochdale Road. I would certainly put this pub on my route to the ground. The beers will rotate from the W+D list, they are already changing regularly. The pub deserves its rebirth as a real ale outlet, the town needs it and hopefully they will support it for many years to come.
BWV 27.4.06: Mansfield Cask Bitter, Smiles April Fuel | | | LOCAL CAMRA | | 
BOUNDARY PARK
| | LOCAL BREWERY
J.W.Lees & Co
Greengate Brewery
Middleton Junction
M24 2AX
Telephone 0161 6432487
www.jwlees.co.uk | | WETHERSPOONS
The Up Steps Inn 17-23 High Street Oldham OL1 3AJ Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Squire Knott Yorkshire Street Oldham OL1 3SL Opening Times: Sun-Wed 9am-midnight; Thu-Sat 9am-3am
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