The Thirsty Scholar, Manchester

A true subterranean dive bar here, but it’s decorated nicely in a traditional pub style. Interesting range of clientele on a Tuesday evening from students to elderly solo drinkers. My half of Beartown Peach Melbear was excellent and my cheapest of the day after Spoons. Definitely worth a visit.

The Thirsty Scholar is found in one of the railway arches that run into Oxford Road Station, so there is no natural light which gives the feel of a cellar bar. The bar counter along the rear wall faces a central flagstone floor and seating on the front wall where a group of, mainly, students were participating in knitting club. To the left is a raised wooden floored seating area and to the right is a raised wooden stage are where some musicians were setting up. Soft jazz was playing in the background. Four of the five hand pumps on the bar were in operation drawing Moorhouse’s Blonde Witch, Beartown’s Peach Melbear and Kahuna alongside a Lilley’s cider. I went for the Melbear, which was peachy. Standard and premium keg was also available, as was a basic food menu with the burger being priced at £8.50. For a student bar I thought this place was OK.

Visited this cellar bar under the railway arches after the Salisbury. It wasn't on our list to do, but glad we found it. We enjoyed the Moorhouses Crosssed Arrows cask ale and it was comfortable enough seating inside with a few tables outside under the arch.

The Thirsty Scholar has the feel of a cellar bar, being in an arch of the railway line into Oxford Road station. With the Salisbury across the way still closed 10 minutes after its published opening time, we decided to give this pub a try. As it's name suggests, the pub is clearly popular with the local student community. They would normally have 3 real ales to choose from. On our Sunday lunchtime visit, these were Moorhouse's White Witch & Pendle Witches Brew & Beartown Peach Melbear. I ordered the Pendle Witches Brew. But it soon became apparent that it was off, which didn't bode well considering we were the first customers through the door. The Peach Melbear was nice enough though. In addition to the beers, there was a pumpclip for Weston's Old Rosie turned round. I later spotted a box of the cider behind the bar and asked if it was on. Sure enough it was and despite pointing out the turned clip, no action was taken. Why stock a real cider, if you're not prepared to let customers know? A couple of other customers did arrive, but it remained fairly quiet. I'd return now knowing that a cider is stocked, alongside an interesting ale range.

Single-room music bar located underneath the Oxford Road railway viaduct. Very basic furniture and decor around the bar and on a small raised area. Also has a dubious-looking patio area out under the arch. Two Hornbeam real ales - Lemon Blossom and Orange Blossom (£3.60), Bootleg Lawless and Rosie's Pig cider from four of five handpumps. Surprisingly quiet when I visited one evening, but probably rather busier later in the week

Though it might look uninviting from the outside, with its front covered in 'street art', it is not too bad inside. The interior is described below with the bar directly ahead of you as you enter. Real ale available.