The Smithfield Market Tavern, Manchester

A slightly run down, seen better days local/area, its the sort of place you wouldn't want to take a posh bird on a first date. But its taking what it's got and making the best of it. Full of real ale fans when I visited who were there for a beer festival. There were 9 real ales, and the quality of the beer here was superb, better than anywhere else I tried in Manchester City Centre, so extra marks from me for the beer here. A fine drinking house.

Intention was to call in for the beer list for the current festival and have a couple before going on to the NWAF in Manchester, but we were in great company and the beers from the 9 pumps and cellar runs were so good we stayed for 8. Enjoyed beers from Bees, Blue Bell, Castor, Graffiti, Ha'penny, WC, Beeston and Tydd Steam before moving on. Kitchen area has been converted to extra seating and we will be back to sample lots more of the festival beers this week. Grand pub, They had sandwiches on, and do B & B at reasonable rates.