Manchester City Centre Pubs

Manchester Pubs
Drinking in Manchester City Centre

• Barça
  Arch 8-9, Catalan Square, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4RU.
  Tel: 0161-839 7099. Fax: 0161-839 7022.
  Website: www.barca-manchester.co.uk
  This relatively new pub-bar-café-brasserie, owned by Mick Hucknal of the Manchester born pop group 'Simply Red' is part of the regeneration of Castlefield, and is set in the heart of the Urban Heritage Park, under two railway arches opposite Lock 92 on the Rochdale Canal. Definitively Spanish in character, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages on sale, as well as an extensive menu of tapas dishes (Spanish for snacks), including paellas, sea foods, and salad dishes. There is a range of wines and sangria, including house wines, Spanish, South African, Chilean and Champagnes. It offers a Canal side terrace, multiple bar areas and three private function suites including the Crystal Room. Popular and very busy at weekends and especially at Carnival time. Excellent morning coffees made fresh "à la continental".
  
  
• The Castle Hotel
  Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE. Tel: 0161-236 2945.
  Old fashioned Manchester in this small town centre pub in the Northern Quarter. Distinctive brown tiles and cosy interior with a warm welcome at the bar, which seems to have remained unchanged since it was built - nice if you prefer old traditional to new age kitsch. A good selection of beers including Robinson's Hatters Mild, Old Stockport Bitter, Best Bitter and Old Tom. There is a pool table and frequent live music on offer.
  
  
• Briton's Protection
  50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5LE. Tel: 0161-236 5895.
  The building which houses "Briton's Protection", erected in 1811, is only one of two surviving original houses on Great Bridgewater Street - once a very desirable place to live. A traditional Victorian bar with old fireplaces, subdued lighting and original moulded ceilings. Specialising in whiskies, the pub has over 100 varieties as well as Bourbons. Also real ales, "guest" ales, champagnes, wines and other spirits. Original and excellently cooked speciality meals include shark, venison and rabbit. Vegetarian dishes available, and bar snacks throughout the day. Friday night live entertainments. Beer garden at rear. Wheelchair access. Function room for pre-booked parties.

Barça in Catalan Square

The Old Wellington Inn

Briton's Protection

The Castle Hotel

• Lass O'Gowrie
  Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB. Tel: 0161-273 6932. Website: www.thelass.co.uk
  An interesting pub, favoured by students from the nearby UMIST colleges and BBC types from the studios round the corner. Wooden floors and comfortable rooms. Food available and their own brewed beers. Frequent guest specialist ales on offer.
  
  
• Old Wellington Inn
  4 Cathedral Gates, Manchester M3 1SW. Tel: 0161-839 5179.
  Part of Manchester's old heritage, this fine Tudor building survived the redevelopment of the Arndale Shopping Centre in the mid-1970s, with a complete refurbishment and physical relocation (a piece at a time), and then again as a result of the 1996 IRA bombing of Manchester, when it was miraculously protected by the now demolished Marks & Spencer building which shielded it from the blast. Now relocated another 100 yards in a new Shambles Square.. Next door to Sinclair's Oyster Bar, it is a popular lunchtime haunt for weary shoppers. Basic beer (Bass Worthington) and plain but wholesome food.
  
  
• The Old Nags Head
  Jacksons Row, off Deansgate, Manchester M2 5WD. Tel: 0871 230 366
  
  
• The Slug & Lettuce
  Heron House, Ground Floor, Manchester M2 5HD. Tel: 0161-839 3604.
  Located opposite Manchester Town Hall, part of a growing pub chain, this venue has covered outdoor seating. It also has a cosy bar and a restaurant offering a wide range of draft and bottles ales, extensive wine cellar and cocktail menu. Website: www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/manchester.
  
  
• The Rising Sun
  22 Queen Street, Manchester M2 5HX. Tel: 0161-834 1193.
  Located just off Deansgate with an entrance on Queen Street and another on Jackson’s Row, this traditional real ale pub has bright red open plan décor and is a popular haunt for local real ale fanatics.
  
  
• Town Hall Tavern
  20 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JA. Tel: 0161-832 3550.
  A small traditional pub located behind Manchester Town Hall. Cosy corners and a selection of real ales on tap, continental ales and pub snackson offer.
  
  
• The Waterhouse
  67-71 Princess Street, Manchester M2 4EG. Tel: 0161-200 5380.
  Part of the JD Wetherspoon pub chain and located next to the Town Hall, overlooking St Peter’s Square. Drinks and food are reliably cheap and with a wide selection of special and foreign bottled beers and ales, draught lager wine, cider, spirits and real ales.
  
  
• Seven Oaks
  5 Nicholas Street, Manchester M1 4HL. Tel: 0161-
• 237 1233.
  A small traditional pub located in Manchester's China Town. The beer is Boddingtons and Tetleys with frequent guest ales.