The Lower Turks Head, Manchester

Appears to have been extended at some time into the adjacent building, aparantly formerly a barber’s shop. A fine old style if woody interior with traditional banquette seating, tables and chairs and some odd high seats opposite the counter, which look like ex-church parts. Six pulls four from Holts and two from Bootle 8 keg taps. Three more pulls in the extended part with more seating of a similar nature. Rather more expensive than the Hare & Hounds next door for the same beers.

Holt's pub located directly across from the Shudehill Interchange. Two narrow, elongated bars on slightly different levels (suggesting a previous amalgamation?). Anyway, both parts have a traditional, city-centre look and feel. With all six handpumps in use, I found the usual Bitter, IPA, Mild (£4.10) and Two Hoots plus a couple of Bootleg beers as guests: Chorlton Pale Ale and Fool's Gold.

No Megabus for me (unlike the previous reviewers). I was just wandering through the Shudehill area and having passed this pub several times before, this time I decided to enter. It has quite an interesting interior with a number of rooms. However, I was immediately drawn to the church pew-like seating immediately opposite the bar - 5 or 6 seats with individual glass-lined drinking shelves. I've not seen the like before. On the real ale front, this is a Holt's pub. All of the beers were from Holt's or their associated brewery (Bootleg). The choice was Bitter, IPA, Mild, Two Hoots, Santa's Vacation & Chorlton Pale Ale. Choosing a Christmas beer on January 6th seemed a bit of a risk, but Santa's Vacation was actually very enjoyable and possibly the best Holt's beer I've ever tried. Being near the tram and bus station, this pub will inevitably attract a transient crowd. Although, there were a few locals in too. Much better than I had anticipated.

Much the same as Quinno below I managed a quick pint before my Megabus! A decent pint of Holts bitter and a quick chat with some friendly locals made it a decent visit. Worth popping in for one.

A final swift tick before my Megabus and yes I was drawn-in by the beautiful exterior maroon and cream tilework. The inside is all modern, although fairly well done in a mid-90's ‘trad’ way (though it transpires it was actually installed in the early 10’s – it looks like it cost a fair wedge) with dark wood, three or four discrete areas and a feeling of intimacy. I sat opposite the bar in the weird little individual curved seats which had an incredibly narrow shelf attached. Six cask, my Holt's Mild was rather good (NBSS 3.5), shame about the awful indolent staff who seemed to find customers an annoyance – they needed managing. They conspired to knock a point off the score, as otherwise I felt pretty positive about the place. 6.5