Piccadilly Tap, Manchester

The Piccadilly Tap is a thin bar with open plan seating in the wood panel walled front that consists of high tables up the left and centre and banquettes up the right-hand wall. At the rear is a fake stone cladded bar area with a very thin U-shaped serving counter that supports at least five hand pumps that were drawing TT Landlord Dark, Blackjack Brewery’s Jack in the Box, Mallinson’s Shifting Chaos and All the Women as well as Adnams Lighthouse. There were also a couple of real ciders and I counted 21 keg fonts across the back bar for premium and craft lager, stout and cider options. I was the last person served just before the polite but eager to leave barmen rang last orders at 22:30, a decent pint of All the Women was had. Upstairs is another room with the same 1970s wood panelling and stone cladding, some green banquettes and a pool table. There’s also balcony seating at the front that overlooks Crazyville below. It was better in here than I thought it would be late doors on a weeknight, although the background music was very niche

The Piccadilly Tap is of course very convenient for the nearby Piccadilly railway station. However, as railway taps go, I much prefer the Victoria Tap across the city. There are 2 floors to this bar, with the bar in the centre to the rear of the ground floor. A blackboard on the right-hand wall lists the cask and keg selection. Most drinkers congregate on the ground floor, meaning there are often free tables upstairs, where the unisex toilets can also be found. There is outdoor seating to the front at street level and also on a balcony upstairs. Cask ales on yesterday were Bradfield Farmer's Blonde & Stout, Runaway Queen Bees & Adnams Southwold Bitter. Bag in the box ciders can be found in a fridge to the rear right. These were Pulp Apple Cider & Lilley's Bee Sting Perry. Craft beers were Runaway Queen Bees (also on cask), Adnams Mosaic, Siren Lumina, Vault City Cloudy Lemonade, Squawk Mallard & Skua, Shindigger Mango Unchained & JW Lee's Stout. There was also a fizzy cider (Adnams Wild Wave). It's been over 5 years since my last visit here and it's not my favourite bar in Manchester. However, I wouldn't rule out a return visit as it's an easy final stop if catching a train from Piccadilly.

Drops in and out of the Good Beer Guide and is currently there in the 2024 edition. Former shop right on the station approach, so a better place to stop than greggs. Typical collection of interesting beers but a low score for serving Rothaus in a standard UK pint glass. If I am paying for the experience, I want the full experience. Head upstairs for more tables and a fine view of the commuters below.