Circus Tavern, Manchester

The Circus Tavern has been operational for over two hundred years and has survived the ravages of heavy wartime bombing and the subsequent major city redevelopment schemes. This is probably the smallest pub in Manchester and it shows. The bar itself is little more than a cupboard under the stairs, with room for no more than one person to serve and one person to queue. Every inch of bar space is precious. There is not even room for a proper till, the money being placed into a small coin drawer that pops in and out of its hidey-hole beneath the optics. The size of the bar may in fact be the pubs biggest drawback, being only able to stock a limited selection of drinks however all but the fussiest drinkers would appear to be catered for. The rest of the pub consists of two tiny rooms leading from a wooden partition that forms a corridor from the bar. The cosy front room is simply furnished and the lightly coloured walls are bedecked with photographs of local celebrities. The rear room is similar but the décor is geared towards the football fraternity. Both City and United's supporters clubs use the pub, an unusual choice of venue given the logistics of having organised meetings in such a small space. One wall of the room is dedicated to the red and white of United with photographs of old players and matches mixed in with various items of memorabilia whilst, in a rare example of football harmony, the adjacent wall pays homage in a similar fashion to the pale blue of City. The pub is at it's best when it is at its busiest and most claustrophobic. It is virtually impossible to move without squeezing past other customers and, in a different environment, one could possibly feel quite uncomfortable. In the Circus Tavern, however, bodily contact is necessary, unavoidable and all done with great tact and northern humour. Striking up a conversation with a complete stranger in such intimacy is almost expected and all adds to the fun of being there in the first place. What the Circus Tavern lacks in size, it more than makes up for in atmosphere and ambience. It is truly one of the few great, unspoilt inner city pubs left in the country.

You have to visit the Circus Tavern if you are in the area, even just so that you believe how tiny it is. They will often close the doors on busy nights when it fills up. If you can get a spot in one of the two rooms you are lucky, if not then you are stuck drinking in the corridor.