The Rose & Monkey Hotel, Manchester

A nice enough looking pub with bare brick walls and lots of B & W pictures and a very large old map of Manchester. There are some interesting leaning seats in the back room along with a large wagon wheel and a pool table. There was an advert up for karaoke, so it may not always be as peaceful as on my visit. So peaceful that the only thing you could hear was the loud, sweary barman. Four handpumps on the bar, all clipped with national blands. I had a half of Sharps Atlantic for £1.25 which was on the verge of being undrinkable. I didn't really take to this one at all.

The Burton Arms Hotel has the feel of a traditional pub with seating at the front and a bar in the middle on the right hand wall. There is also a pool room at the rear with seating that comes out of the wall at 45 degrees. I suppose the room is too small for a pool table and some proper seating. The bar is stocked with standard draught and the four hand pumps were drawing Thwaites original, Joseph Holt’s Bitter, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Marston’s EPA. I didn’t notice any food being advertised. There is a quiz every Tuesday and live entertainment is advertised for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At the rear is a paved beer garden full of picnic tables and I noted that accommodation is available. So all good then…. Erm… no! I have to report that the bloke behind the bar who I took to be the manager was extremely rude and inhospitable. He was visibly annoyed that he had to drag himself away from watching the Professionals to serve me. I clearly asked for a half and was given a pint. It took him nearly two minutes to give my change back when I was the only customer. He was rude to a gentleman who walked in five minutes after me. He sat with his back to the bar as he continued to watch Bodie and Doyle. To top it all off the Landlord must have been the first of the day as it wasn’t right. I didn’t bother getting it changed as the hassle wouldn’t have been worth it. So all in all this is a decent traditional pub that was ruined by an unwelcoming sod. I’ll not be giving this man my money again.

Traditional unmodernised local close to the Northern Quarter that offers accomodation.Called in one wet Tuesday afternoon to an absence of clientele,but found the landlady friendly enough,and was impressed by the spotless toilets.