North Taproom: Circle Square, Manchester

North Taproom is a single roomed open plan crafty bar with a central tiled serving counter on the rear wall. Lots of keg taps line the back bar and a large screen above lists all the available beers. I went for half a Warsteiner Pilsner for £3. Thin benches line the width of the bar under the exposed HVAC system and some slightly wider benches run along the floor to ceiling windows out front. This is very much a student area of Manchester so I felt very old, however the service was friendly. Being a fan of a more traditional venue this place isn’t really aimed at me so I don’t plan on returning.

A bit clinical and somewhat similar to several other brewery owned bars in Manchester. Uncomfortable refectory style tables along with some high tables. It's almost as if they don't want you to stay around that long. There's a food offering from Little Bao Boy, so pretty much just bao buns. 24 taps on the rear wall according to Whatpub, I personally didn't count them. Only two are for cask and one for real cider. The service was friendly and efficient and my pint of North Pale was in good nick. I can see the outside area being very popular during the Summer months. It didn't really float my boat to be honest and I wouldn't make a special effort to walk out here again, but if I happened to be passing....