The Morning Star, Salford

A well appointed Holt's pub situated on a busy road into Manchester. From the front, there are two adjoining rooms on the right-hand side, with a small snug area at the front and a larger room to the rear. The bar/games room is to the left-hand side. I didn't venture in, but did spot a dartboard. To the front is an outdoor area including a designated smoking area overlooking the road. In the main room, there is a mixture of carpet and bare board, with tiling around the bar. There are old pictures of Swinton on the walls, along with wallpaper. There were at least 3 TVs in the main rooms, with one large one in the middle. All were on mute with Sky Sports News showing. Music was playing instead. At the bar, there were 4 handpulls with one turned clip and I seemed to recall one of the beers being double clipped. Bitter or IPA was the choice. Menus and condiments could be found on each table, with small plates advertised. There were quite a few in. It looked like many had already eaten and were enjoying a post-lunchtime drink. This was the first of a few Holt's pubs I was to visit and I assumed they would get better. If anything, it went downhill from here.

This is a Holts pub with a small thin bar to the front left that houses some banquette seating. Alongside the usual keg there are four hand pumps that were drawing Bitter, Chorlton Pale Ale, Mild and Fairy T’ale of the North. To the left rear is a dartboard and in the right hand side of the pub is a large seating area, that feels like it is used for dining. Food is served daily until 20:00. My visit was after this time so maybe that is why the pub was so quiet. Televisions were airing Sky Sports. Outside the front of the pub is a patio garden with high picnic tables and a covered smoking area.

The Morning Star is a large stand alone pub that is set back from the busy manchester road,this pub was the reason why i visited the Moorside area of Swinton. Once inside the pub had a few different rooms,i had a drink in the main bar area which was quite smart and comfortable,the pub is a Joseph Holt tied house and there were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Holts bitter and this was a really nice drink,the other beer was Holts mild. I always enjoy visiting Holts houses and i was'nt dissapointed with this one. Pub visited 7/7/1995