The City, Manchester

This is another very basic city centre pub. There are entrances at either ends of this pub, in both Oldham St and Tib St. Entering from Oldham St you are in a small carpeted area with normal tables and chairs, which was occupied by local regulars during my midweek afternoon visit. There is more seating on the left, with the bar counter on the right, and with a pool table just inside the Tib St entrance. The real ales on during my midweek early afternoon visit were Milestown Black Pearl, Holt’s Bitter, and Acorn City Pride. I had the City Pride, which I have to say wasn’t top notch, but drinkable nonetheless. Apparently in the past this pub didn’t offer real ale as an alternative to the keg stuff, and the management are to be applauded for improving the beer choice in here.

A long, thin place with white walls and bright lighting giving it a working men's club sort of atmosphere. There is a wider front space with chairs, benches and round tables, the counter takes up one side in the middle with more chairs and tables ranged down the other side. At the back there are some sofas and a pool table, with a machine and juke box providing some entertainment. Three handpumps unexpectedly serving beers from obscure breweries like Hardknott and one so obscure I can't remember its name, (it may have been Outstanding of Bury) as well as one from Acorn, and in reasonable condition at a competitive price too. It was fairly busy on an early Friday evening with mainly older customers drinking lager and smooth, there were also a few youngsters looking like bit part players from Shameless.