Joshua Brooks, Manchester Central, Manchester

Not been in here for around 15 years and heard it does real ale so thought I would call in and see what it is like these days. This was a last stop before getting the train home on Saturday night. There was a big metal fence outside to facilitate queuing, though this was not necessary at the time of my visit. Once inside it has a rather studenty vibe to it as expected, but the bar had three hand pulls, one was off and the others were Inveralmond Ossian and Bootleg Chorlton Pale Ale. For some reason our drinks were dispensed into disposable plastic vessels, yet there were plenty of half drunk Birra Moretti branded glasses littering the tables. I found the experience a bit odd, I felt too old to be in there and the beer was nothing special. I can't see me being back any time soon, but I have satisfied my curiosity for now.

A nice enough pub with a club in the basement. A square room with bar facing you as you enter. On the bar you will find 6 handpumps with 4 serving real ale and 2 used for cider. 6 pillars in the middle of the room with seating set between them. Sofas are found to the right. If you see Bobby 'dale in be sure to give her a hug.

Completely transformed into a real ale pub fairly recently and it's made it into the CAMRA GBG2014. One large room with lots of leather chairs and curved leather sofas. There are also plenty of dining style tables and chairs. There's a long thin outside terrace overlooking the river. Lots of pump clips on the walls showing just how many beers they've served in the last couple of years. They serve food until early evening which is mainly pies from the Great North Pie Co. There's another room downstairs which is more like a club (membership required) where there are often live acts. 5 handpumps on the bar with 4 on during my visit and the other being pulled through. They serve ever changing guests plus a real cider from Westons. I had a pint of First Chop SYL which was in very good nick. This is a pub that I will visit regularly now when at this end of town.