The Fountain House, Manchester

The footprint of the Fountain House is much smaller than the impressive exterior would suggest, although there are two floors. The main bar is reached up a few steps from the entrance. The serving counter, with a notable carved bar front, sits on the left hand wall whilst supporting premium and craft keg. There’s a mix of tables down the centre and banquettes run up the right hand wall. The décor is upmarket with bushes that hang from the ceiling and a dim red hue. Feels a bit like a poncy hotel bar. Downstairs is a seating / restaurant area with a smaller bar counter and booth seating. The service was polite, but a lack of experience was evident when I was presented with a very short measure with the excuse of ‘that’s all I can fit in’. At £3.30 for a half of Beavertown Neck Oil I made the staff persevere with their efforts. This isn’t my sort of place so I’ll not be returning.

It's a "take it or leave it" pub as far as I'm concerned. If you're after real ale it seems to only offer JW Lees beers on cask, but at prices higher than you would pay in a normal JW Lees pub. They did have one from JW Lees Boilerhouse Craft range which was only OK and nothing special, and had that JW Lees chemical aftertaste. The level of cocktail fuckery going on at the bar almost made me leave out of boredom waiting to get served, and if I had it would have been no great loss. There are plenty of better places around. It's more the kind of place you would take your good lady to, rather than a few mates going for a beer. There is also the restaurant area downstairs. Service is in that corporate style, and the bouncer holds the door open for you on entry and exit. It's probably a 5.5 from me but I'm feeling generous so will round it up to a 6 rather than down to 5.