Circus Tavern, Manchester

One of the great things about doing no research before I go on a crawl is that I’m sometimes genuinely surprised by what I find, and my visit to the Circus Tavern was one of those times. I walked up the front steps to be met by a friendly lady who was standing beside a bar that had been set up in the cupboard under the stairs. Tetley’s and Wainwright were the two cask options and there were a couple of keg fonts. Along the right wall are two small seating areas, I was directed to sit in the one nearest the entrance. In here three gentleman were quietly supping on their pints whilst the large TV on the wall was playing All Saints, “I Know Where It’s At”. I actually laughed out loud as I sat to wait for my pint opposite the coal effect gas fire. Yes, this is a historic pub and a must visit, even if only to drink in a tiny pub (my rating reflects this), but now that I’ve done it I don’t plan to return.

A famous and tiny pub on one of the main drags in Manchester. The bar is is effectively a piece of wood across a corner. The only beer on cask is Tetleys Bitter, which is by no means my favourite beer, but it is well kept. Photos all around the walls of the two small rooms. It's OK to pop in for one, but it is a tourist trap.

still positively unchanged, a real iconic Manchester pub with the tiny bar and two rooms with no space to swing a cat. Two hard working friendly barmaids brought the pints out - don’t rush here for the beer, Tetleys Cask and Wainwrights this time. But rush here for the atmosphere and inevitable conversation with strangers. Best enjoyed at busy times actually when it really becomes a unique experience, it’s a homely unpretentious place that defines what a ‘public house’ is supposed to be.

Very small very Victorian pub, apart the upholstery and football posters not much has changed, there’s a big screen, Engerland flag and some other 20th century bits. The woodwork, some glasswork and maybe the fireplaces could well be original. Just two pulls on the small quadrant counter , I had an indifferent Tetleys, fortunately just a half. Amazingly there are two “rooms”.

This is one of those pubs you have to go in, just to say you have been. My last visit was about five years ago so thought it was about time to refresh my memory and paid a visit last Saturday afternoon. Although the building must be about the same size as the Grey Horse, the Circus feels a lot smaller inside and this must be down to the layout which I assume has not been touched much over the years. The (tiny) bar is straight ahead as you enter, with two rooms to the right, front and back. Two hand pulls for cask ale, offering Tetley Cask and Dizzy Blonde. I went for the Tetley as I could not remember the last time I have had this, suffice to say I won't be in a rush to have it again but it was perfectly drinkable. It was fairly busy at the time of my visit, though it doesn't take much for a place this size to feel busy. However we managed to grab the other half of someone's table and as we supped our drinks other people came and went so there was a fair turnover of customers meaning you probably wouldn't be waiting for a seat for very long. The sign outside reads, "The smallest bar in Europe, the biggest welcome" but unfortunately I found the lady serving to be a bit disinterested, though not unfriendly. She was busy talking to her friend who was stood in front of the bar, and anyone who has been here will know there isn't really the room for that on top of two customers being served and someone else trying to squeeze down the corridor. I can't say I dislike the place but I can't help thinking it trades off its "smallest bar" claim and once you've done it there isn't a great deal to rush back for.

Tiny two-room pub with the smallest servery you've probably ever seen (just wide enough to accommodate two handpumps and a keg fount) in the wood-panelled entrance corridor. Limited amount of basic seating and some sports and music pictures on the walls. Two real ales on offer: Robinson's Dizzy Blonde and Tetley Cask (£3.50). Oddly good.