The Angel, Manchester

I didn’t know what to make of the Angel as I noticed a mix of picnic tables and café seating overlooked by a massive bill board on a small grass covered area next to the busy A664. I then noticed more seating next to a huge pile of pallets and old crates in a car park at the rear. I didn’t think it looked the most inviting of places and if a visit hadn’t been recommended I would have probably continued walking up to the Marble Arch which is further along the road. This certainly isn’t the biggest place, but there were only a few other customers during my recent Thursday afternoon visit so I was able to settle quite easily. Conventional Seating is crammed in leaving little standing room other than around the small bar that supports twelve hand pumps. Ten of these hand pumps were drawing different ales from nine different breweries and the other two were drawing cider. There is also a range of premium and standard draught products, but I went for Kissingate’s Smelter’s Stout which was well served by the friendly barmaid. I noted the presence of a piano and there is a dartboard in the corner that had tables and chairs on the oche. There is also a flight of stairs that climb to an advertised restaurant area that I didn’t visit. I can imagine it getting a little uncomfortable in here during busy periods, but don’t let the outside put you off as this place is certainly worth a visit.

Lots of people sitting outside when passing this one, so had to give it a go. There were seven handpumps in operation on our visit. The pub is situated on the same side of the road as the Marble Arch. The Spitting Feathers Solstice was top notch. Well worth a look in.

A fantastic range of cask and welcoming staff, but the bar was a bit grubby, and I had to fight my way round from the entrance to get served as the groups of customers appeared a bit cliquey. This place is about the cask beer more than anything and they serve a very good pint (well the three I had were top). If you are with a group of like minded friends this place is certainly worth a visit, but on your own, well your on your own.

I visited MANCHESTER on a day out with friends, although i had run pubs in this area in the late seventies a did not know this pub, but what a surprise a pub almost as it was built eleven hand pumps on the bar all in use with a great choice of cask ales,quite a few i had not seen on my travels The Landlord was very welcoming and the standard of the beers could not be bettered.A proper pub a must when in the area we shall return.

This is a stand alone pub clearly visible as a beacon of hope as one looks up Rochdale Road. And you will not be disappointed as it is another classic Manchester drinkers’ pub. There were ten handpumps in use during my visit on Wednesday afternoon, all featuring ales not generally seen in London. I went for the Kelham Island Riders on the Storm which was an excellent pint, as you would expect from this fine brewery. The front area of the room is dominated by a grand piano, a feature not generally seen in pubs, which I was advised is used on occasion. There’s also a dartboard in this area, as well as some attractive looking wood panelling on the ceiling. Normal tables and chairs and upholstered bench seating round the side are the order of the day in here. This pub is a must for any real ale fan visiting Manchester.