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The Unicorn, Manchester
Manchester
M4 1PW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Brainy Pool left this review about The Unicorn
I loved this pub once but it has being going downhill for a few years, and the Craft Union takeover seems to have pushed it over the age. Rancid Bass, miserable staff and a generally rough atmosphere. The interior is still nice but there are better down to earth pubs in Manchester.
On 20th September 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Unicorn
A nice pub on the surface; sub-divided into areas, a lovely full-height oak servery, oak panelling and jumbo length red leatherette banquettes (it’s CAMRA Inventory listed). Downsides quickly apparent though; indolent staff and a half-arsed atmosphere - overloud music and a plethora of screens nobody was watching. Two cask, Sharps Doom Bar and Bass which was fine but lacking vim (NBSS 2.5) and with a scribbled paper pump clip maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised. Worth a visit for the interior but unless I hear of better times, I’ll leave this visit as a unique one.
On 28th February 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Unicorn
The Unicorn is a lively boozer that was full of drunk people of all ages when I visited on a recent Friday evening. The central L-shaped bar counter serves banquette seating with tables to the right and front. Separate seating areas are found at the rear and in a long traditionally decorated room to the right. Televisions located throughout were showing muted Pointless, I’d be very surprised if this pub didn’t show the football when on. The background music was loud and controlled by the two young barmaids.
Standard and premium keg were available and the TT Landlord was off so Sharp’s Doom Bar was the lone cask ale choice. I went for a pint of generic lager that was served short, but it was less than £4 so I didn’t complain. This place was a little too lively for me for the time of day and the service was very slow due to other distractions such as gassing with locals and changing the music. Then, I suppose this all adds to the atmosphere. I wouldn’t go out of my way to revisit.
On 9th December 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Unicorn
An old school high street pub , some nice woodwork in the interior and a central bar serving the two sides of the pub. The beers were dull, Wainright and Bass with a standard keg selection. Not really my thing.
On 12th June 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Unicorn
This is definitely a "proper pub" and seems to be thriving, which is good to see. A fairly big pub with different seating areas and a central bar. On one side of the bar I noticed two hand pulls, one was off for cleaning and the other offered Bass Premium. On the opposite side were three hand pulls, offering Hobgoblin Ruby, Black Sheep Holy Grail, and something else that escapes my memory.
I tried the Bass, as people do like to go on about it and it is not something you see very often these days. I have to say I was not a massive fan and on top I think it was bordering on being served on the warm side. The Holy Grail my drinking buddies had was better, and that's not an outstanding beer by any stretch of the imagination.
If you want tradition in all senses, this is a great pub, but for me it's not going to become a regular haunt with that kind of beer line up. However just to add in the interest of fairness, when I was last in here they did have an ale by Purple Moose on, which was the best of the otherwise uninspiring line-up at the time.
On 4th November 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Unicorn
Well described below by Malden Man. We popped in on Saturday lunchtime, where we found three beers on handpump, Bass, Wainwright and Robinsons Trouper. Their two other lines were in the process of being cleaned. We went for the Bass and Wainwright and both were in top condition. The pub had a nice relaxed atmosphere and no music was being played. We took the side room on the right, which was quite narrow and ran from the front windows, continuing all the way to the back of the pub. The older drinkers seemed to prefer this part of the pub, whereas a group of six younger drinkers settled on the bar side for a bit of banter.
On 18th October 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Unicorn
A reassuringly traditional pub in an area where many are not, the pub had a good number of old boys in early on Thursday, enjoying a chinwag or picking the day's bets. Many seemed to know each other suggesting a local in the city centre. There is a long central bar with rooms either side, it is narrow in parts, plus a pair of slightly separated areas at opposite ends of each side if you can follow that. Carpeted, buttoned red banquettes and stools at Britannia tables, there are the old push buttons remaining behind some of the benches, also some wood panelled walls, leaded windows and a few bits of stained glass here and there. The deeper side room on one side has a rooflight with some coloured glass too. Beer related slogans are stencilled high on the walls.
The handpumps are split across the bar so a chalkboard would be a good addition, currently you need to walk around or ask. Draught Bass, Spitfire, Robinson's Unicorn (£2.70), Charles Wells Poppy plus Adnam's Fat Sprat.
This was a good first pub of the day, a chatty place where you can find your spot and spend half an hour or so sipping your pint as you flick through the paper, I enjoyed it here.
On 17th November 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Unicorn
At a time when trendy wine bar style things are omnipresent a good traditional boozer is a godsend and in this area of Manc Central its very welcome indeed.
On 29th July 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Davies left this review about The Unicorn
A traditional local populated by traditional locals. The island bar seems to take up more space than the public space, so it's a bit of a squeeze moving around but you can usually find a spot. Friendly and efficient service despite the crowds and nice Copper Dragon beers. Worth seeking out
On 28th September 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Unicorn
Called in on 23rd of Feb a fine old pub call in every time when in the city one girl has been there years its getting tiered but still good atmosphere its one of those fun places hit and miss it can be busy one day and quiet the next worth a visit
On 24th February 2012
- rating: 5
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]