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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
Joshua Brooks, Manchester
Manchester
M1 6DD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about Joshua Brooks
Joshua Brooks, or JB’s, is a single roomed open plan bar with a mix of standard and high tables throughout. A large projector screen that was showing Sky Sports cricket sits on the left-hand wall and in the left rear corner is a pool table. The bar counter with premium and craft keg runs up the right-hand wall and in the right rear corner is a television that was showing tennis. These screens were all muted while some mellow R&B played in the background, not my cup of tea to be honest. Along the rear is a thin balcony that overhangs the passing River Medlock. Half a Camden Hells was £3, and the burgers from the food menu were priced at £11.95. The service was polite, but this isn’t somewhere I’ll be revisiting any time soon.
On 6th September 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Joshua Brooks
Studenty pub that seems to stay open until the earlier hours. This was another pub that I've had on my to do list for a number of years. However, it turned out that I've had it on the list for too long, given the lack of real ales. Handpulls have seemingly been removed since the last review just over 2 years ago.
My Yeastie Boys Bigmouth was cold, but drinkable. However, the large square-shaped room lacked atmosphere with no other customers. The bar fills almost the whole length of one side of the room, with a kitchen in a far corner.
The barmaid was friendly and chatty, which saved our visit from being too poor. It's a shame they've dispensed with the real ales. But I guess they can only cater for their demand.
On 23rd November 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Joshua Brooks
Not been in here for around 15 years and heard it does real ale so thought I would call in and see what it is like these days. This was a last stop before getting the train home on Saturday night. There was a big metal fence outside to facilitate queuing, though this was not necessary at the time of my visit. Once inside it has a rather studenty vibe to it as expected, but the bar had three hand pulls, one was off and the others were Inveralmond Ossian and Bootleg Chorlton Pale Ale. For some reason our drinks were dispensed into disposable plastic vessels, yet there were plenty of half drunk Birra Moretti branded glasses littering the tables.
I found the experience a bit odd, I felt too old to be in there and the beer was nothing special. I can't see me being back any time soon, but I have satisfied my curiosity for now.
On 18th November 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 830 recommendations about 657 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Joshua Brooks
A nice enough pub with a club in the basement. A square room with bar facing you as you enter. On the bar you will find 6 handpumps with 4 serving real ale and 2 used for cider. 6 pillars in the middle of the room with seating set between them. Sofas are found to the right. If you see Bobby 'dale in be sure to give her a hug.
On 17th December 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Joshua Brookes
Completely transformed into a real ale pub fairly recently and it's made it into the CAMRA GBG2014. One large room with lots of leather chairs and curved leather sofas. There are also plenty of dining style tables and chairs. There's a long thin outside terrace overlooking the river. Lots of pump clips on the walls showing just how many beers they've served in the last couple of years. They serve food until early evening which is mainly pies from the Great North Pie Co. There's another room downstairs which is more like a club (membership required) where there are often live acts. 5 handpumps on the bar with 4 on during my visit and the other being pulled through. They serve ever changing guests plus a real cider from Westons. I had a pint of First Chop SYL which was in very good nick. This is a pub that I will visit regularly now when at this end of town.
On 2nd October 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Joshua Brookes
Student pub with one fair-sized room, which apparently turns into a club late night. Quite well kept however and seemed ok in daytime. Large screen sports but not too intrusive. Slightly above average range of fizzy beers, but it does at least sell Bombardier on handpump, although not in greatest condition. Could be worse but won't bother going back.
On 25th May 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]