Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Sandbar, Manchester
Manchester
M1 7HL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve C left this review about The Sandbar
The Sandbar had all eight hand pumps on during a recent late midweek evening visit, with no mainstream products. Craft keg was also available, as was some premium. The bar up the left-hand wall was being manned by a young Robert Smith wannabe who was trying his best to be ironic. Bare boards run the length of the bar and at the rear is a flagstone seating area. Around to the left rear is some split-level seating and out the back is a small decked seating area under an awning. The ale range may be more interesting than most places, but I found it quite dark and dingy with less than friendly service. Maybe I’ll give it another chance when next in the area, but for now it just gets a 6/10 for the cask range.
On 19th April 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Sandbar
Almost anonymous from the outside, the Sandbar is easy to miss. However there were a decent number of punters who had found their way in on a recent Saturday night, myself included. Unfortunately the service was a bit slow and disorganised, which was hard to justify with the customer to staff ratio. Eight hand pulls at the bar with three of those out of service. I don't recall the full line-up but Phoenix Arizona, Brass Castle Bad Kitty and a cider were definitely available.
Food is served and Wi-Fi is advertised. There is quite a sprawling layout, probably as a result of several buildings being knocked into one. There is a section to the rear (near the kitchen) that feels like it used to be outside. Look out for the soil pipe and the setts, for example.
I don't think I was quite as enamoured as I had been on my previous visit, probably due to a combination of the slow service and reduced real ale choice, but I would definitely be willing to go back when I'm next in this part of town.
On 2nd March 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Sandbar
Not your typical pub building but there was something about the interior that made it feel fairly traditional despite the appearance from the outside. There were eight or so cask ales, and this is one of those places where you could stay for a few and work your way through the beers while passing the time.
This is a cashless, card only place, but unpretentious and not overpriced. I'd say this is probably the best place we visited on that night, and I would be more than happy to go back again sometime.
My beer choice, if you are interested, was Christmas Beer by Outstanding.
On 24th January 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Sandbar
A really interesting building. It looks like a late Georgian/early Victorian warehouse, with a nesting of rooms, that has been converted into a a real ale/craft ale pub/bar (which is cashless and only takes card and britcoin). The bar is in one room that is part partitioned and is in white, brick and wood floor. There is a freaky cabinet of curios (nightmarish dolls and latex gloves included) and some nice fireplaces. The building next door is further seating and is in the same decor except for one wall that seemed to be papered in 70s computer magazines! there is a small patio in a cobbled cart entrance at the side. The service was great and a few old timers were in. 6 real ales, a cider and some craft beers for choice - the Beartown Polar Eclipse and Clywd Gold Ruby were very good. A delight to visit, especially as it was found by accident (not scouted any pubs before hand). A must the next time I go near the University again.
On 18th July 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Sandbar
An interesting feature of this pub is the display "Cabinets of Curiosity" that contain "a collection of art marvels from around the world". These numbered items are described in a booklet available inside the bar. Apocryphal stories of each item is described in said book. So if you want to see a cast of Einstein's brain and Stalins finger, plus Krushchevs telephone pop in here.
02/10/15
An excellent boozer. It now has 8 handpumps. Basic interior and some temporary tables on the front pavement which made for a very warm little area when the sun shone today. Wasted on students. Beartown Polar Eclipse was very nice here.
On 8th January 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Sandbar
Called in again to find quite a few of the handpumps unclipped. The beer prices seem to have gone up quite a bit recently. Still a very good bar though.
12/11/2012
This bar is going from strength to strength. It now has 6 handpumps, 5 for changing cask ales and one for a real cider. My pint of Facers was in great condition as well. The place was heaving at about 7:30 on a Thursday evening which is impressive. It was originally converted from 2 Georgian terraced houses, so there's lots of nooks & crannies and several rooms and levels. It's a great little pub. More people from the beer community need to make the short walk out of the city centre and get this place properly on the map. It fully deserves its GBG2013 listing.
09/04/2010
Interesting little bar with several quirky rooms, one feels like an outdoor courtyard, even though you're inside. Has a couple of guest beers on, one is usually from Phoenix, always well kept. It's a bit of a walk out of town, but it's worth it.
On 9th October 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3222 recommendations about 3133 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Sandbar
Well worth a look in good selection of hand pulled beer
On 21st March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]