The City Arms, Manchester

They had seven real ales on handpump, plus Thatcher’s Heritage Cider. There are two separate but interconnected rooms. The front room is comfortably furnished with red leather banquettes (a la The Lords) and normal tables. The back room is reached down a few steps on the left and is similarly furnished, but with green leather banquettes (a la The Commons). The lavatories are reached through an entranceway on the left, leading into a hallway that is decorated with what looks like the original green tiling. This is another small (although large by Circus Tavern standards) friendly and welcoming pub. A definite “must visit” pub for anyone visiting Manchester – as long as you appreciate real ale and traditional unspoilt pubs.

Agree, excellent small two roomed real ale pub. I like the idea of three pubs in a row and the City Arms is sandwiched between the Waterhouse and the Vine. Busy, but not overly so on a late Sunday lunchtime . Smallish front room and then an even smaller but more snug back room down some steps and a good place for a pint if you are lucky enough to get a seat. Seven handpumps also on the go with a couple of Jennings ales complemented by Micro and regional brewery beers and the one I tried was a very well kept pint.

Excellent small back street local, though I did find it a little unfriendly by both the staff and the customers, with the impression most people know each other here and not welcoming to a stranger. But its fine drinking parlour, traditional but with lots of TLC, there is a front room bar and a fine back room. Although in the Good Beer Guide 2010, the quality was not quite as good as I hoped. But there were 7 real ales when I visited. Somewhere I would like to try again.

One of my favourite pubs in Manchester, although I will admit there's a fairly long list of them. I've never been let down by the beer here, there's always something interesting on and the service is good. A decent honest pub that hasn't changed much over the years and remains a good place to sink a few pints.