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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Founder's Hall, Manchester
Manchester
M2 6LW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Founder's Hall
Substantial modern pub opposite the old town hall, a definitely more appealing than in its previous Duttons incarnation. Although under a modern office block, parts of the ceiling have been given slight arches that give the impression of a much older cellar-type construction (although the picture windows help dispel that notion of course). Sensible mix of modern furniture and some traditional decorative features throughout the partly sub-divided seating and dining areas. Also has plenty more tables under the arcaded frontage and out on the pavement. Four core JW Lees beers plus the Fruited Ale from the bank of seven handpumps along a pair from The Boilerhouse small-batch range: Twin Fire Ruby mild (£5.55) and Round Trip pale ale.
On 30th June 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Founder's Hall
Now rebranded as Founders Hall and serving as a Lees showcase. Bar/restaurant with a smart modern interior, all themed around the brewery. Their full range of 7 cask on, and you can get a flight of three if you want. In fact, one gent did this before me which took the barman ages to put together. I tried the cask Black Rose milk stout which was gorgeous, like a dessert in beer form. It’s a decent place if a touch too modern for me and beware the prices, we’re a long way from Middleton here.
On 27th March 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about Duttons
Duttons is a long modern JW Lees bar that stretches across the front floor to ceiling windows that look out onto covered seating and arches that support the office block above. The central bar counter on the rear wall supports premium keg alongside Carling and the two identical banks of three hand pumps were drawing JW Lees Bitter, with the MPA being off and one pump being unused. High banquettes that wrap around high tables are found along the centre of the pub opposite the counter and seating runs along the front windows. To the right is a raised seating area and more seating is found to the left. There was background music playing and the televisions were showing muted rolling news during my recent midweek evening visit. Food is available, the burgers start at around £14. The service was polite, but I like a pub with a bit more character so probably won’t return.
On 26th December 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Duttons
Not a bad place at all. Could do with a better selection of beer but what do you expect from a Lees pub. Must say the Moonraker dark was on form.
On 8th October 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Duttons
Cask Marque accredited and three decent real ales on, for what is essentially a restaurant/wine bar. My JW Lees Manchester Pale Ale was in perfect condition. Waitress service, for drinks as well as food, is a nice touch. A finer view of Manchester (its opposite the Town Hall) could not be found.
On 20th June 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Duttons
This is one of the new J. W. Lees branded chain of pubs. There's lots of leather in here and the pub still smells brand new. There are high dining table & chairs to the left and a raised dining area with lower tables to the right. There are also a few booths. 6 handpumps on the bar all doubled up, so only 3 beers on which were Lees Bitter, MPA and the current seasonal Streaker. The Streaker was a decent pint. It's pleasant enough place, aimed at the more mature end of the market and steets better than the nearby Slug.
On 24th September 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]