Crown & Anchor, Manchester

Refurbished bar, looking much more modern inside than the traditional exterior would suggest. The silver wallpaper and friezes under the bar counter won't be to everybody's taste (with the latter being illuminated by a distracting sequence of different-coloured lights). The modern furniture in the staple-shaped lounge is comfortable enough, and there are a couple of large TVs and a pool table (in a side room) for those who look for these features in a pub. Four handpumps, offering Deuchars IPA, Spitfire, Landlord (£3.05) and Old Rosie cider.

Used to be a proper ale house with loads of changing guest ales. Still has real ale on but the offerings are all safe, tried and tested regulars now. It's still an OK place to go, but has bouncers on whenever there's a match on at City and at weekends. It never used to need those. Not the force it once was.

Decent place clean and tidy with comfy seating and a bit of a lounge bar feel. There‘s a pool table at the back and large screen TV. The three ales that were on were Deuchars, Landlord and one other.