Port Street Beer House, Manchester

Small square room which, despite half a go at a beer cafe vibe, is fairly charmless and seating consists mainly of high stools – you can tell it’s a conversion job. Here for the beer of course as it’s GBG’23 listed - seven cask and my Thirst Class Bitter was in good nick (NBSS 3.5) despite tasting of homebrew. Some faintly interesting keg though I couldn’t peer into the fridge to see how much bottled exotica they stocked. Card payment only of course, because this is Manchester. Decent for a drop-in but it felt distinctly second division in the central Manchester pub stakes in terms of surrounds. A review elsewhere states “This pub is the epitome of the gentrified, real-ale-as-niche-product end of the cask ale pub spectrum” and that’s a neat summation. 7.5

The Port Street Beer House is always a favourite of mine when visiting Manchester. But surprisingly, Sunday was my first visit for almost 3 years. It was also unusually quiet compared with my previous visits. Nevertheless, the beer range was as good as normal - Pentrich Diamond Curse, Blackjack Arch 34 Commission, Deya Hokum Stomp, Track Made in the Shade, Kirkstall Dissolution IPA, Chapter Kandata & Durham Dark Angel. In addition, they also have a decent selection of craft beers. My Siren Caribbean Chocolate Mole Cake was a nice chaser for the Dark Angel! I couldn't spot a real cider on this visit. There is limited seating in the downstairs bar. But I discovered a first floor bar, on my way to the second floor toilets. This room appeared to be much more spacious, as I glanced in. The one-way system mentioned in the last review has either been scrapped, or I completely missed it! Situated on the edge of the Northern Quarter and within easy walking distance of Piccadilly station, this remains one of my favourite haunts in Manchester.

Since the easing of restrictions, Port Street Beer House still has a one way system in operation and encourages the continued wearing of face masks as well as sanitising on entry. Ordering via the app is no longer enforced and you are free to find your own table rather than being escorted to one by the staff. We chose to order our first drink at the bar (we had to walk past it anyway) and we ordered our second drink on the app, which was perhaps a bit lazy but saved us a trip down and back up the stairs. On this visit there were five cask ales available with a further one or two blank pumps. Definitely more back to normal, including the ale selection, so upping my score accordingly.

Visited on Friday. No bookings taken, as far as I am aware, just walk-ups. Strangely last orders was at 9:45, as we were warned when we arrived, with half an hour to drink up and depart. I don't think there are currently as many cask options as there had been previously - I think they were down to four with one of those unavailable. Ordering is done via the Common & Co app and this was all very efficient. A fair amount of seating was available upstairs, though we were there fairly close to last orders so not sure if it would have been busier earlier on. Would be happy to revisit.

I've been a few times so surprised to find I have not left a review previously. Paid another visit last night, it was the last place of the day so I didn't make a note of how many cask and keg options there were, but there was certainly enough to choose from. I had the Wild Raven by Thornbridge, a 6.6% black IPA, which was a nice one to finish the day on. The bar is downstairs and as has already been noted there is more seating on the first floor, toilets up on the second floor, and there is a small heated enclosed patio area to the rear. I like this place, and I will be back! Also worth noting is that they do a free membership card which gives you 10% off the beer.

This place was buzzing on a Thursday evening,a good mixed crowd, a lot of beards were evident, a sign that this is quite a happening place on the beer scene, and I had quite a few here over my three days in Manchester. There is a wide range of beer styles available and an equally wide price range, I had a pint of Mallisons Columbus at £3.40 , and a third of Siren Shattered Dream at £4.00 both in cask but there are plenty of keg offerings as well. Great place.

A somewhat understated continental style bar in simple brick and glass. It has a patio area. The interior has an upstairs (which I didn't see), while the downstairs room is accessed via a corridor. The room has mixed seating, wood floor with the paintwork looking a little tired in places. Beer clips and continental beer ephemera decorate the walls. No TV and no music, I think, as the sound pollution from the Stage and Radio next door was more than enough. A good mixed clientele, with service that was colder than the beer. several craft beers and ciders, with several handpulls - the Thornbridge Pollard Coffee Stout being very good. Visited this place a couple of times as it is near where my eldest soupette stays for uni, and will come back.