The Millstone, Manchester

Official site of The Millstone - www.jwlees.co.uk

Official site of The Millstone - www.jwlees.co.uk

With time for just one more pub before I needed to head back to the airport (due to the UK being a third world country where our rail network is concerned), I initially bypassed the Millstone, hoping to find the Castle Hotel or Gullivers open. Neither were open, which continued a sad theme for Manchester city centre. I did find the Wheatsheaf open, but took one look at the beer selection and decided I didn't really want to finish on a Camden Stout. As such, I did a complete loop and ended up back at the Millstone. With few other places open, this pub was packed and there was even a bouncer on the door. It's actually one of the few (possibly the only) old boozer left along Thomas Street, which is a street comprising many modern and trendy bars. A karaoke session was in full steam and once I'd manage to fight my way to the bar, I had to stay there, as I couldn't see any seats. As it happens, there is a small and cosy room at the rear that did have tables. But I only discovered this when leaving via the toilets. The barmaids were all quite efficient and spotted me through the crowds, given it was difficult to get to the bar itself. Being a JW Lee's pub, their Bitter is a regular beer. Plum Pudding was the other cask ale and was my choice. A third handpull was unclipped. Karaokes are not really my thing. So, I didn't want to linger too long. One singer was very good. The rest were cringeworthy at best. Being very drunk is obviously a necessity in order to enjoy this entertainment. Apparently I was last in here in 2011. However, it's the kind of place that doesn't linger long in the memory. Last time I scored it a 4/10. I'll increase that slightly to a 5/10, as my Plum Pudding was fairly enjoyable, despite having to consume it with a loud racket in the background.

I’ve attempted to visit the Millstone on two occasions, but it has been rammed, so I thought I’d make another attempt on an uneventful Tuesday evening when it would be a bit quieter. Nope, it was just as rammed with karaoke blasting out. I decided that this place must always be busy, so I bit the bullet and piled into the crowd. The interior is L-shaped with seating, and the karaoke, up the right and more seating slightly away from the melee in the front left. The L-shaped serving counter in the left rear corner supports three hand pumps, one of which was being used to draw JW Lees Bitter. Their usual keg was also available from the efficient bar staff. I’m not a fan of the oke so I don’t plan to revisit, but good luck to them because they’ve turned this place into the ‘party pub’.

A basic locals pub and as such is fine for what it is,I visited back in April and unfortunately my pint of Lees Bitter wasn't the best.

A proper pub in amongst the Hipster venues in this area! The Lees bitter was excellent. Worth calling in.

Another bonkers Manchester Pub. Battling in through the front door on a Friday evening was a challenge. Full on Karaoke, with people dancing. But look to the rear and there is a nice partioned room, with a beautiful fire place. An oasis of tranquility. It was there that I (and Rob Camra) need to head for. Beer wise, its a JW Lees house - so their bitter was in fine condition, if not served in a unusually dumpled glass.