The Hopwood, Manchester

Quite an imposing pub, originally the Hopwood Arms, and built by Wilson if the old signage high above the front entrance is anything to go by. The interior has been opened out and thoroughly refurbished at some stage to leave a variety of seating areas in front of and beside the central servery (with one part located up a couple of steps). Also has a modern-looking front decking terrace. Reasonable (non-chain) menu. Friendly staff. Had the Theakston's Red Atlantic, and Hobgoblin was available from two of the three handpumps when we arrived with Sharp's Atlantic also coming on before we left.

Once a neat locals pub, it's now been opened up into a two roomed dining barn. All the tables are new wood dining tables. There's a further room towards the rear. It's now pretty featureless, rather a disappointment really. There are 3 handpumps on the bar with 2 in use, but nothing of any interest on either of them. I had a half of something nondescript, I can't even remember what it was, which was very average. It sums this place up really, very average.