The Two Tubs, Bury

A friendly traditional pub. 5 Thwaites, 1 Marston's and a cider available. The small bar of the front was cosy and pleasant.

A complex, multi-roomed pub with entrances at the front and at the side, in what old photos displayed on the walls show was formerly a shop into which the pub expanded many years ago. The side entrance led me into a blast of incongruous disco music from a loud speaker set just inside the door, but in the front part, the original pub, this is largely ignorable. There's wood panelling and exposed brick walls, and although the pub has clearly been smartened up recently, there's a pleasant feel of an old and well-used building. On the bar are six hand pumps, with Old Rosie cider and five Thwaites beers. I had the Nutty Black, which was in good condition. I would definitely include this one on a future visit to Bury; those who prefer their beer to taste of grapefruit will be taking their custom elsewhere, obviously.

This is a Thwaites house apparently, as they had on four of their ales – Original; Wainwright; 1807; and Nutty All Black, which is a rugby themed ale. All but the Wainwright were supped by my group, and all were in excellent nick. We were in there on Tuesday lunchtime, and a couple of my companions ordered the mixed platter, which comprised breaded mushrooms, chicken goujons, onion rings, chips and salad. They reckoned it was good value for £4.45. Other meals were similarly reasonably priced. The pub itself is an anient looking affair, with half panelled walls, original beams by the look of them, and several separate rooms branching off a central corridor, We sat in the tiny room at the front of the building, in which the front bar counter is located. There’s another larger room at the back of the bulding, in which there is another bar counter. That’s just as well because when the pub is busy it would be a nightmare as the front bar would become unbearably crammed by those wanting to get served. This is a cracking pub, and definitely worth a visit if visiting Bury.

Small cosy space at the front, large barn at the back. Thwaites house, so not great beer although they do the best they can with it. Always a strange atmosphere in here, can't put my finger on why. Fairly quiet even when the beer festival is on across the road. Apparently it gets very busy late on at weekends.