Peveril of the Peak, Manchester

Absolutely shit service on my most recent visit - Saturday evening early March. Everything was just so slow. The barmaid took my order then proceeded to disappear putting glasses away. Beers were half poured then all the staff got together and took a shot, then she disappeared again to change the barrel but without any kind of warning; I only realised what was happening when someone else started pulling the beer through. No pleasantries whatsoever. Three of four ales on. My Titanic Plum Porter was excellent, the rest of the experience not so much. Very disappointing and would deter me from returning. The Pev is one of those "Manchester institutions" but if they carry on like this it's not going to be good for business.

Famous for the tiled exterior and the mostly unspoiled interior a very fine pub just up the road from the equally excellent Briton’s Protection. As likely to be named after the book written by Sir Walter Scott, set in the time of Charles II and unusually for Scott in England, as after the stagecoach which could also be named after the book, both predate the pub by a few years. It’s a small place with a three room layout with details from various periods as redecoration will do. Definitely a must visit pub.

Over 11 years since my last visit here, we decided to pay it a re-visit as we were drinking in the vicinity on New Year's Eve. Pub lovers cannot fail to be impressed by the magnificent tiled interior, but to the non-believer, the pub stands looking a little forlorn and possibly even dilapidated in an area full of modern developments. Inside, there are essentially 3 rooms and a drinking corridor. All have plenty of character. On the beer front, there are normally 4 real ales. Titanic Plum Porter was off. Although Timothy Taylor Landlord, Millstone Tiger Rut & Brightside Mancunian were all on. I opted for the latter two which were in good condition, but not my kind of beers. Long may pubs like this survive in our city centres. It may not stock my favourite beers and certainly doesn't have a real cider. It may also be another 11 years before I visit again, but as pubs themselves go, this is a traditional classic.