The Fountain House, Manchester

A modern bar which, unless there is more than I saw, wasn't as big as I was expecting. Its nicely done but isn't a place you're really gonna be staying in for too long unless you're eating downstairs. 6 handpumps but only 4 ales. As its getting close to Xmas there was a giant Wayne Rooney, sorry, Father Christmas on the town hall outside.

After several years of closure this pub has reopened as the latest recruit to the Chop House brand. The ground floor area is all bar with the chop house itself being downstairs. Nicely restored, but looks much more modern that I expected with very little of the old pub still visible. It was pretty packed on my Friday teatime visit, mainly with suits from the nearby offices. 4 cask ales available during my visit. Two from Holts Bitter & IPA and two brewed for the pub, Albert Sqaure Bitter & Winter Warmer. The Winter Warmer was a decent drink if rather overpriced, but that's what you expect in a chop house bar. I'm glad to see it open again, but I'd like more of a look round whe it isn't so packed to really make my mind up.