Hi,

I’m in Manchester on Saturday with no car and time for a few daytime drinks. Anybody got any recommendations for nice, none-chain run, real ale pubs in the city centre?

Started one of these threads when I was in Liverpool last year and you came up trumps with the Baltic Fleet and the Ship and Mitre, both wonderful. Any similar recommendations for Manchester?

Marble Arch is one of my favourites.

Great food and beer.

Sams chop house, Cask, knott bar…

Britons Protection is a top old school boozer: http://www.manchesterbars.com/britonsprotection.htm

Avoid the Grapes, unless you like looking at pictures of Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) and her showbiz pals (beer is shite anyway)

Port Street Beer House

I always liked a pint and an improbably large lump of cheese at the Mark Addy (which technically is in Salford…) but it looks like the place has changed considerably in recent years. Still good beers on tap though.

Cask near MOSI

The City Arms on Kennedy Street

I’m sure this has come up a lot! +1 for all above recommendations.

Southern side of the city: Briton’s Protection for pies (its very small, Peveril is ok otherwise), Lass O’Gowry for good Black Sheep.

Northern Quarter (e.g. Marble Arch).

In the middle of town / Deansgate, I would go for the Chop House.

Briton’s Protection for pies

I’d argue that The Wellington does better pies, can’t remember what the beer is like though.

You can do a nice little circuit starting either at the marble arch or the castle on oldham street, taking in bar fringe and the highfield hotel on swann street , all real ale pubs, all good,try the ginger ale in the marble, and their food is good

You can do a nice little circuit starting either at the marble arch or the castle on oldham street, taking in bar fringe and the highfield hotel on swann street , all real ale pubs, all good,try the ginger ale in the marble, and their food is good

He’d be pretty pissed after doing two circuits though, mr potatohead

I generally am

Avoid the Chop House(s) they’re not great. Stay in the NQ if you have a choice:

Port Street Beer House, Castle, Marble Arch, Dusk til Pawn (for the American beers), Bakerie Pub (the restaurant is also nice) for fresh pies and beer… etc etc

I think the Indy beer festival is this weekend, might be worth googling

I’m writing all these down now, cheers chaps.

My choices are Port St Beer House, Marble Arch, Fringe, Briton’s Protection all are good.

There’s a Brewdog bar off Deansgate, if that’s your thing, it’s a bit ‘try hard’ for my liking though.

Making myself thirsty here!

Worth trying out these Guardian recommendations..

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/oct/11/manchester-top-10-craft-beer-pubs