Ape & Apple, Manchester

The Ape and Apple is a Holts pub with a bar counter on the rear wall that supports eleven hand pumps. The Two Hoots was off so only Bitter and IPA were available, I can’t remember the last time I found a Holts pub with more than two of their range available. The open plan seating is broken up by a supporting pillar and televisions are found throughout for airing Sky Sports. All were muted in favour of background music during a recent Tuesday evening visit. Upstairs is a lounge area that is available for hire. I might pop back in if passing, then probably not.

Doesn't sound like it has changed much since earlier reviews. Several hand pulls with Holts Bitter, IPA and Two Hoots. They also have the Trailblazer Stout on keg. Not sure if it is true, but the story I heard is that Holts fell out with the makers of Guinness so decided to brew their own stout to sell in their pubs instead. As a replacement for Guinness, this is a good stout. Also stayed for a Two Hoots (cask), which I am sure I must have had in the past but many years ago. This was surprisingly decent with nice hoppiness. At the time of my visit, table service and QR code check-in was enforced, but my visit was just prior to the easing of restrictions on 19 July. It was a hot day and all the windows and doors were open. My one complaint here would be that when some people go outside for a smoke, they lean into the pub through the open window and fill the pub up with smoke! Not likely to become a regular haunt of mine, but nice to refresh my memory as my previous visit was probably about 8 years ago.

Official site of Ape & Apple - www.joseph-holt.com

Official site of Ape & Apple - www.joseph-holt.com

I called in on the Saturday morning after Aqualungs visit,Its as he described of course, there are 11 handpumps in total all clipped but only the three beers available, Bitter,IPA and Two Hoots at the very reasonable price of £2.93, one solitary handle was dispensing Old Rosie Cider. It had a reasonably pubby feel but it wouldn't be anywhere near my first port of call on a crawl, more like an after thought.

My second Holts pub of the day turned out to be another bank conversion so not a typical example. It's a single rectangular room which to be fair to them has been made to look like a pub with a mix of carpets and tiles. It was busy but not rammed on an early Friday evening visit. There are a number of hand pumps but I only noticed Holt's Bitter, IPA & Two Hoots. The Bitter (£2.93) was in good nick. I thought this place was OK. It was good to see it wasn't overrun with TV screens.

This is a solid enough Holt's house, a large rectangular room at ground floor with a few dividing screens to one end. The bar is on the back wall, the centre area is tiled then either boarded or carpeted depending upon which side you choose to sit. A fair bit of exposed brickwork to one end with dressing mirrors mounted on it, floral wallpaper elsewhere. Mixed seating of all known types, local photos of yesteryear, the inside of the entrance has an ornate wooden feature with a clock on the top. Holt's beers were Bitter, Mild, Two Hoots and IPA plus a rather uninspired line of guests in Bombardier, Doom Bar, OSH plus one called Bootleg Racketeer. Standard pub style meals are served. There is apparently a rooftop courtyard but I didn't bother to explore this, all in all a solid and seemingly dependable city centre boozer.