Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 14th April 2024) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Sams Chop House, Manchester
Manchester
M2 1HN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Sams Chop House
Steps from the entrance lead past a snug down to Sam’s Chop House bar where a life size statue of Lowry sits. I was one of two customers during a recent Tuesday evening visit, the other customer was facing Lowry which I found a little odd. Premium keg and Carlsberg were available alongside three hand pumps that were drawing JW Lees MPA, Sam’s Special Bitter and Boiler House Golden Mild. On the right wall opposite the bar is a fireplace and up the right is split-level seating. In the left rear is a dining area. On most walls are interesting caricatures that are worth a look. The lack of customers meant there was no atmosphere so maybe I’ll revisit at a busier time.
On 26th December 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Sams Chop House
this is a rather classy historic pub down a back alley with a nice atmosphere, full of smartly dressed couples. it’s a little more spacious and less stuffy than Mr Thomas but it still does feel a little up its own arse with ridiculous jazz coming out of the speakers and a menu that looks more fine dining than pub. the Lees bitter was on form though and I liked the pub despite everything.
On 6th January 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Sams Chop House
One of three 'Chop House' venues in Manchester, this is a historic old bar and restaurant dating back to 1872. The venue is slightly sunken from street level, with steps leading down to a flagstone floored bar area which sees a lovely curved dark wood servery on the back wall with a fine pillared bar back which bears the pub's name on an end plate. The room has a smart vaulted ceiling which was unfortunately obscured by various Six Nations flags on this visit. There is a nice seating area to the left of the bar under etched glass windows with some comfy looking furniture available and walls decorated with a series of caricatures which can be viewed at various points throughout the pub. There is standing room only opposite the bar but a large seating space appears to the right where a few tables have been arranged in front of a large fireplace and many more in a raised dining space at the far end of the room. Here you can admire the decorative ceiling in full, unimpeded by any flags, whilst there is a nice frieze running around this part of the room. The space has dimmed lighting, which makes it quite atmospheric and a traditional feel is enhanced by the presence of a number of old oil paintings. Moving towards the rear from the bar area, you will find a smart back room with some top quality panelling and a great tiled floor. There are mainly standard dining tables in this room, but some smart booths behind the bar area offer nice secluded spots for a bite to eat. The pub was famously a regular haunt for the artist LS Lowry and in a nice nod to this, there is a life size statue of him sat on a stool at the bar.
The pub seems to have links to the JW Lees brewery, with their beers dominating the handpulls. On this occasion the options were MPA, Bitter, Rhys' Remedy and Sam's Special plus a Marco Pierre White beer. The MPA was £3.30 a pint and in decent shape. I certainly enjoyed supping this beer on a stool next to Lowry.
This is a nice characterful bar that perhaps leans a little more to the dining side but still provides a smart bar area and some comfortable seating options in which to enjoy well kept local beer. The tribute to Lowry is a fun and a good draw for tourists and I thought there was a nice atmosphere within which would encourage me to return and to check out their other venues.
On 22nd April 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Sams Chop House
Our 2nd Chop House pub visited on the day. Another stunning interior and finished to such a high standard. We visited mid afternoon so the pub was empty, a good chance to have a look round. I sat by Lowry at the bar, no conversation there. The barman was friendly and chatty and full of information about the pub. I went for the JW Lees Manchester pale ale and Sams bitter, both were spot on.
On 14th June 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about Sams Chop House
Called in on the 19th of December full of people getting into the swing of it for Christmas had a pint of John Willy Lees Plumb pudding bitter very good had to wait a good bit to get served mainly because of prats which you see every time at this year wanting to by a couple of drinks on there card it slows the bar staff down
On 20th December 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Sams Chop House
In again for a meal on Saturday. Lees Diamond Jubilee at £3.85 a pint. That is expensive even for the city centre. Holts IPA was £3.30, also OTT. The meal was top quality as always though.
23/05/2011
We were in here for a meal in the restaurant on Saturday night. Nothing much has changed since my last review except that there's a life sized statue of Lowry sitting at the bar now, which is worth a visit on it's own. The food was excellent, if still pricey and the Sams Special was a decent pint as well.
09/04/2010
We visit this place on a regular basis to have a drink and have also eaten in the restaurant 3 times. Has 6 handpumps, usually selling nothing of any interest. Last night it was Boddingtons, Holts Bitter, Lees Bitter, Flowers IPA and Sams Special on 2 (which is brewed for them by Coach House). It's a very average pint and extremely pricey. The food is good and also pricey. It will cost you about £13 for homemade pudding and chips, but it is excellent. Not really a place to go for the beer, we go more for the friendly chat, it always has a buzz about the place but can get very busy just after 5 p.m. when the suits arrive. The other half loves it, which is why we were in last night.
On 22nd June 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3222 recommendations about 3133 pubs]