Vine Inn, Manchester

A pub with three main areas, upstairs is split level, the bar on the lower side as you enter, then up a series of stairs to an upper room. Downstairs there is another bar which although part of the pub, is separately named as Malt and Cask. The bar area had a TV and some banquette seating against a side wall, plates hanging on the walls, up to the larger room, high shelves contain stone jars, kettles, gravy boats, bottles etc, framed cigarette cards and the usual local scenes. A usable dartboard is hidden away at the rear. Downstairs has a totally different vibe with exposed brickwork, tin signs and seating mostly at high tables with marble effect tops. Two beers on in the main pub, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Landlord, supplemented downstairs by Hobgoblin, Marston's EPA and Moorhouses Blond Witch. The pub has a large list of whiskies. Not a bad spot and a good double/triple up with the adjoining pair.

A decent boozer with two bars, one of which one is called The Malt And Cask. 4 cask ales on on this visit.

Disappointing after City Arms next door. Blackboard outside declared ‘Country pub in Town!', hardly, and the offer of a mediterranean special supported doubt. Just 2 handpumps; I asked for TT Landlord but was told it wasn't quite ready yet, so had to settle for Hobgoblin – not my fav but, in fairness, it was in very good nick. Up a few steps to an unremarkable area with variety of seating, incl Chesterfield chair, downstairs to restaurant (also used for private functions), blackboard here offered more traditional pub fayre (scampi, f&c, stk pie…), one beerpump down here (1 of those being served upstairs). Back to the bar-room where the walls are decorated with random photos and higher walls/shelves have brass & copper nic-nacs, seating is fabric settles & stools, cast-iron brass-topped tables carrying flyers for £6.50 btl wine, or pizza + 2pints/btl wine £10 (mon-thurs, 5-8pm). Mixed soundtrack offered far more bad than good (for your grumpy correspondent). I noticed comment elsewhere mentioning darts & table football – I didn't see that - presumably upstairs where I only had a quick glance.

The other proper pub on this little strip, and it isn't at all bad. The Malt and Cask affair was closed on the Sunday afternoon when we called in, perhaps not surprisingly as we tripled the number of customers until a group of Chelsea supporters arrived to warm up for the afternoon's game. So it was, underwhelmingly, just Landlord on the handpumps. All friendly and comfortable enough and would use it if I fancied a change from the City Arms next door.