The Sandbar, Manchester

The Sandbar had all eight hand pumps on during a recent late midweek evening visit, with no mainstream products. Craft keg was also available, as was some premium. The bar up the left-hand wall was being manned by a young Robert Smith wannabe who was trying his best to be ironic. Bare boards run the length of the bar and at the rear is a flagstone seating area. Around to the left rear is some split-level seating and out the back is a small decked seating area under an awning. The ale range may be more interesting than most places, but I found it quite dark and dingy with less than friendly service. Maybe I’ll give it another chance when next in the area, but for now it just gets a 6/10 for the cask range.

Almost anonymous from the outside, the Sandbar is easy to miss. However there were a decent number of punters who had found their way in on a recent Saturday night, myself included. Unfortunately the service was a bit slow and disorganised, which was hard to justify with the customer to staff ratio. Eight hand pulls at the bar with three of those out of service. I don't recall the full line-up but Phoenix Arizona, Brass Castle Bad Kitty and a cider were definitely available. Food is served and Wi-Fi is advertised. There is quite a sprawling layout, probably as a result of several buildings being knocked into one. There is a section to the rear (near the kitchen) that feels like it used to be outside. Look out for the soil pipe and the setts, for example. I don't think I was quite as enamoured as I had been on my previous visit, probably due to a combination of the slow service and reduced real ale choice, but I would definitely be willing to go back when I'm next in this part of town.

Not your typical pub building but there was something about the interior that made it feel fairly traditional despite the appearance from the outside. There were eight or so cask ales, and this is one of those places where you could stay for a few and work your way through the beers while passing the time. This is a cashless, card only place, but unpretentious and not overpriced. I'd say this is probably the best place we visited on that night, and I would be more than happy to go back again sometime. My beer choice, if you are interested, was Christmas Beer by Outstanding.

A really interesting building. It looks like a late Georgian/early Victorian warehouse, with a nesting of rooms, that has been converted into a a real ale/craft ale pub/bar (which is cashless and only takes card and britcoin). The bar is in one room that is part partitioned and is in white, brick and wood floor. There is a freaky cabinet of curios (nightmarish dolls and latex gloves included) and some nice fireplaces. The building next door is further seating and is in the same decor except for one wall that seemed to be papered in 70s computer magazines! there is a small patio in a cobbled cart entrance at the side. The service was great and a few old timers were in. 6 real ales, a cider and some craft beers for choice - the Beartown Polar Eclipse and Clywd Gold Ruby were very good. A delight to visit, especially as it was found by accident (not scouted any pubs before hand). A must the next time I go near the University again.

Well worth a look in good selection of hand pulled beer