Pie & Ale, Manchester

As noted it is a modern style bar with 2 rooms and a mezzanine upstairs. 6 handpumps in one part and 2 in the other with 7 beers being served in total. If there's a bar upstairs I don't know as I didn't go up. I thought I was going to dislike this place but it was fine. Then again I was in on an afternoon.

This small corner of the Northern Quarter has been taken over by Bakerie which operates three venues. The first is Bakerie (it’s all about the bread) and the second is Bakerie Wine Store (it’s all about the wine) and finally the third is Bakerie Pie and Ale (it’s all about the pies). The first two venues were of little interest to me at pie o’clock on Thursday evening a couple of weeks ago so I made a beeline for the Pie and Ale. Wine Store and Pie and Ale share the same venue and I walked through the left hand door to find myself in the Wine Store. This was temporarily closed as some people were huddled together at the rear having a wine tasting session. I was directed through to the right hand side where I found a small bar with six hand pumps and a limited premium draught selection alongside Guinness. This bar faces some high tables that line the right hand wall and there is more seating at the rear including some up steps to the right of the bar. I went for a steak and ale pie with mash and a pint which came to just under £12. The Buxton Spa was excellent, but I like a rich steak and ale pie with a hint of ale. The pie I received was far too spicy for my liking, like someone had slipped with the pepper pot. I also had to wait well over half an hour which seemed excessive as there were cooling pies everywhere. I found the background music to be a little loud, but the other punters that were mostly of student age didn’t seem to mind. Out the front there is some café seating. A pub this place isn’t, but I would stop off again as my pint was superb and the barman was very friendly. Maybe their advertisement should read ‘Bakerie Pie and Ale (it’s all about the ALE)’.

Tucked away behind the Hive building in the Northern Quarter Arcade,the Pie And Ale does exactly what it says on the tin,and has a motto 'It's all about the pie'There are high tables and chairs,snug booths,a small outside drinking area and a fully stocked bar.They have 6 rotating cask ales from local Microbreweries which includes there own Yippie Pie Ale plus a large selection of imported bottle beers and a good assortment of 35 different whiskies. Opening times are 11am till 11pm Sunday to Thursday and an extra hour longer Friday and Saturday. Check out the condiment containers housed in stubby beer bottles