Tap 'n' Barrel, Wigan

Tucked away down a shopping arcade,this brick building has an attractive curved frontage ,yet has a stripped out feel both on the ground floor but more particularly on the first floor,which just has some high stools and a drinking shelf.This is the tap for Martland Mill brewery and the 6 handpumps were drawing their D Day Dodger,Ancient & Loyal,Spinners Gold,Lancashire Loom and Wobbly Weaver with no sign of any guest beers. If you like Martland Mill brews you may like this micro,but our verdict was that their malty,hop lite ales were not to our taste.Cheap but maybe for a reason,this micro lacked atmosphere and customers.

Micro-pub with a narrow bar, a larger conservatory-style extension at the back and a few wooden tables out in the front yard. Rather plainly decorated, and the weekday background tunes and weekend live music / DJ events won't appeal to all. However, beer is very much the focus, and it still seems to operate as the Martland Mill Brewery tap, with four of their own beers - including the Wobbly Weaver (£2.80) - and a couple of guests on the two banks of six handpumps.

This place is set in a former shop just off the South side of Wigan Bus Station. The long narrow layout and conservatory is well described below. The Gents toilets are upstairs and the one off the conservatory doubles as a Ladies and disabled toilet. There was a music soundtrack playing but in most respects it is a micropub. There were five Martland Mill beers on with one of the hand pumps being unused. I tried the Wobbly Weaver and the D-Day Dodger (Both £2.80) which were in good nick. It's not another Wigan Central but it's not a bad place.