The Old Nags Head, Manchester

A fine oasis to escape from the madness of Deansgate. Entries on two streets - so you can walk in one door and out the opoosite - passing raised seating at one end and a horseshoe bar to the other. Memorable decor - with manchesters finest musicians on the ceilings and 100s of frame photos from yesteryear on the walls. First reference to Manchester spotted? Hilda and Stan. TT Landlord in average condition but a short pint that I really should have taken back to complain. Seemed churlish when I was out on the booze for all afternoon. That 15% may be worth 50ish pence but did I really need it. Yes, and I should have asked for a top up :-)

The front entrance from Jackson’s Row leads to a traditional Victorian horseshoe bar with seating around to the right, and high tables to the left that lead to the centre of the pub where there are more high tables. Then at the rear of the pub, adjacent to the Lloyd Street entrance, is a raised seating area with standard furniture. At the rear of the bar is a flight of stairs, I didn’t venture up. Televisions are located throughout and during my recent Thursday afternoon visit muted horse racing was being aired whilst some background music played. All the walls are plastered with old black and white photos of celebrities and the ceiling is wall papered with music flyers. Both the front and rear windows are lined with garlands that run through the pub. The bar supports a standard and premium keg range and I counted five hand pumps. Two of these went unused which left TT Landlord, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde as the cask ale options. The service was polite when the two barman stopped talking with each other to serve me.

Loud jazz music wasn’t really what I expected when I entered this back street pub, but I quite liked the atmosphere compared to the Sir Ralph. Fantastic interior! Walls and ceiling absolutely full, it’s a fascinating place to wile away an hour. No handpumps to the right, a few to the left but standard nationals only, Landlord in great shape though.