Traditional city pub, knowledgeable staff, very well-kept ale, comfortable seating and beautiful…read moreheritage interior. There's a fussball table I hadn't noticed before! Titanic plum porter and Tiger Rut were both on tap (cask) when we last visited - great to have such a range of light to dark even in the summer months.

'Pint or a half?' A…read morehop and skip from the architectural wonder of the Bridgewater Hall is Peveril of The Peak. Like the nearby Briton's Protection, it's one of Manchester's original drinking dens and one of the few places to escape modernisation. Outside is a mix of shocking pea and pastel green tiles whilst inside there's three different rooms with a distinctive 1970s feel. The walls are decorated with pub memorabilia and faded photos of celebrity musicians and actors whilst the jukebox is stacked with lots of Mancunian hits. There's also a pool table, dart board and bar stools encouraging conversation and friendly banter rather than getting legless or watching a widescreen TV. Prices are reasonable for the city centre and the staff are friendly. I'm more of a spirits girl than a beer swiller but for those that like a pint at the end of a long day, they have Deuchars, Tiger, Jennings Cumberland and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin ales on tap.

FAB has to be my favourite bar in Manchester. It may seem a little grungy on first inspection the…read morebar is actually very good. The prices are exceptional for Manchester and I have rarely seen it over crowded so there is no 30 minute wait at the bar for a drink. They have a number of specialist and national beers on tap as well as in bottles and bottles of alcopops and shots of spirits. The DJ area is pure genius ... The bridge of the original starship enterprise with Gerard the Dalek protecting it from the side. In the left corner there is a tardis that lights up and the ceiling is full of models from sci if shows like battle star galactica and Star Trek. Near the toilets there is a number of arcade machines and there are arcade tables near the tardis where you can play classic games such as pacman and donkey kong for a small fee. To top it all off there is also a pinball machine present. The bar snacks range from sweets to nuts and crisps and they also provide a simple, classic, student type menu. Through out the week there are various theme night such as games nights but there are a number of board games available at any time and these games can easily be played. The decor is brilliant for fans of science fiction shows and there are a number of posters and signed pictures around the place and there is a glass cabinet of merchandise ranging from classic Star Wars and superman collectables. Next to this here is a table which is a scene from an alien landing and a comfortable booth. Located near china town I always have to visit this bar when I stay over in Manchester. Thereupon are also tv screens located all around that will play classic cartoons, movies and tv shows.

I used to go to the Fab Cafe in Leeds when it first opened and was crazy about the place. 80's film…read moreand TV memorabilia lined the walls and dangled from the ceiling, they stocked an array of 80's confectionery behind the bar (think Dib Dabs, Sherbert Fountains, Space Raiders and even Pot Noodles), tables with the BUILT-IN PACMAN arcade game, decent music and cheap drinks. What was NOT to love? Well, fast-forward 10 years and you suddenly realise that walking into a sticky-floored bar and being greeted by the smell of piss doesn't quite have the same allure anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still think the Fab chain is, well, fab, I just think that the next time I go to the one in Manchester, it'll have to be at the end of the night when I'm pie-eyed and youngsters, smells, dirty toilets and crap dancing don't bother me. Going back to the toilets though - have you read the graffiti on the doors/walls in there? Some of it is hilarious, poetic even! You could be in there for hours just reading. Anyway, I think Fab Manchester deserves a second chance as we went in there quite early on in the evening and I guess it doesn't really come to life until a bit later. I will say that I was a tad disappointed in the state of it though and reckon they could do with putting some money into giving it a revamp, or even just a good scrub. Crikey, I think I'm turning into a snob.

Great pub that pours a proper Guinness and has wonderful food. The staff is attentive and friendly.read more

Walked in @ 5:00pm. The bartender was wearing a shirt…read moreadvertising the beer I ordered. Hé paused 5 seconds and then told me it was unavailable. He then suggested a "similar" beer that I'd already had on several occasions that was not even remotely close to the AmberAle that I was looking to drink. Seriously? He flatly was a jerk. Must be new protocol in Manchester pubs. Experienced it repeatedly. Was more interested in the chat with his mates then providing any service whatsoever. Don't waste your time unless you enjoy a surly uninterested bartender and crap service.

Only came here for drinks and had a blast. It's a happening place on Friday evening. We started at…read morethe martini bar a few doors down then hopped over here and stayed. The ambience is fun and hip. Then randomly there were people painted and dressed as fairies dancing on tables and singing to live music. From other reviews it sounds like the food is fantastic so I would definitely return.

Really great spot that is easy to enjoy. Huge and beautiful space. Multiple bar areas to…read moreaccommodate huge crowds if needed. We simply ordered at the bar and found open seating in the bar area. The 12 hr munich pork sandwich was delicious. The cheese and mustard perfectly compliment the flavor and the pork shines. Served with house fries that were delicious also; crispy, salty and delicious. The bratwurst klassic was also great; exactly what you expect in a brat. Fantastic selection of German and Czech beers to choose from. Service was great, but, it was early on a Saturday and the crowd continued to build even as we were leaving. They had a drag MC that sang requested birthday songs and occasionally had something, ie one question trivia with winner getting a prosecco bottle, to break up between dj'ed songs. It made it entertaining without overwhelming you from enjoying food, beer and conversation. Absolutely fabulous!

Right hear me out! You'll either love this place or hate it depending on your capacity for…read morestudents. You could easily add or take off another star according to where you stand. I think this place does what it intends to very well. Cheap booze... The cheapest in town. Food is of scream pub quality (Ok, cheap and included in beer deals). So here is why I love Courtyard. When the students leave it is empty and has an enormous beer garden.... which gets sun and becomes my first choice for early afternoon beers on a summer boozing session. The other reason it is one of those gold mines which shows ALL (yes all) premier league 3 o'clock KOs. Hazaaaaa. Great place to go with mates then but not for couples...

Lovely bar usually, today we have turned up the bouncer has refused to let us que or come till 7…read morehalf an hour later he's allowing ques outside and we now risk missing the match.

I love this pub, in fact I've been coming here for years and never tire of it's old world charm…read more Saying that - it's a place that I also never have on my go to list - it can be 6-7 months in between visits which is surprising given the amount of beer quaffed by me in the NQ each week... Saying that I think the beer is maybe the answer. With this being a Robbies pub, I'm just not massively keen on their range - and while not offensive, their style is definitely more old man bitter - even the new beers they say are as hoppy as hell always come back to tasting the same... But for a few beers it isn't a bad choice as the pub is great, the vibe in the back and upstairs welcoming and the jukebox upstairs is one of the best around - really good tunes and 5 picks for a £1.

I get really intimidated walking into pubs and bars alone sometimes. If I know the place then its…read morefine but I just don't do it that often. From being at uni, I was just so used to arriving with a few other people - not so anymore, Sophie. Time to grow up. I'd been to a couple of artsy meetings with a group of basically strangers who'd answered an ad on the internet about starting up a new 'organic', venue focused paper in Manchester. Of course such meetings had to be conducted in suitably independent artsy places. The second such was scheduled to take place at the Castle Hotel on Oldham Street. The Castle does not need a surly bouncer or a velvet rope. This is all implied by the ways heads swivel as you walk in. God, I wished I'd been with someone else. Specifically an old man, or failing that a friend of mine who used to live round here and looks like so much of an outcast that she pretty much fits right into any environment. I am happy, proud even, for the Castle that it has stood the test of time as the area around it has morphed into trend-central. This pub has stuck to its guns. But trust me, there are pubs with just as interesting interiors (mosaics and tiled bar) and history (licensed since 1776) that actually want you to be there. This one probably does not. They have nine real ales, being attached to a Robinsons brewery but again why not try The Crown and Kettle or The Marble Arch instead for something similar? Various musicians like members of Elbow (and man, they're everywhere) and I am Kloot are supposed to drink here but did you ever think that maybe this is just to get more peace and quiet than they would in somewhere remotely cool..

Cozy vibe and great atmosphere. The drinks were fantastic, and the staff was super friendly. A…read moreperfect spot to relax with friends--will definitely be back!

Manchester has many gays: Truth. Manchester has many bars:…read moreTruth. Manchester has many gay bars: Truth. And all of them are fabulous: Bloody blatant fallacy! Fortunately, on our single-evening tour of Manchester's Gay Village drinking establishment offerings, we encountered The Molly House, an honest-to-goodness gay bar in Manchester that's a bar... and gay... and -not- rubbish. See, folks. They -do- exist. With a bar stocking products like St. Germain, Kraken rum, and various noteworthy whiskeys, I had a good feeling about this first floor hideaway. My suspicions were confirmed when my Manhattan (£11.50 for two) ended up being far superior to the one I'd had a few hours earlier at Apotheca. Plus, the hunky muscle daddy working the DJ station earned a point or two for the establishment. This seems like the kind of place you'd have to bring your own crowd to, but it's warmer, cosier, and definitely offers superior beverages to other joints in the immediate vicinity.

The City Arms. If you've ever been then you'll feel manly just thinking about it! Grrrr! It should…read morebe called the The City Gun Show, I can actually feel my testosterone levels increasing with every typed word. This is a proper boozer from a time when men had mutton chops and women just weren't allowed the hell in damn it!! Oak filled, serving real ale and housing pool tables that it just isn't big enough for -probably to increase the chance of a fight breaking out- this is a pub that has laughed in the face of progress for over 50 years. Go there to watch or talk about sport. If the mood takes you just go ahead and punch somebody.

Another day, another pub that I've walked past a billion times and never thought about going in! If…read morethe truth be known I think I always thought it was part of the Vine Inn next door which I've been in a few times over the years. Located in a part of the city that is clearly on the up (just off St Peters Square) it's a traditional boozer of the very old school variety - deceptively sized with a tiny front bar but loads of seating in the back! The drinks on offer are all a little bit stuck in the past for my beer tastes but this isn't a problem for most patrons - they just do lots of bitters, lagers and stouts. I have to say that their beer flights are great value at just over £3.00 where you can get a third of each beer of your choice up to a pint - really good idea and great to see it appearing in more and more pubs! City Arms is somewhere that's cool to pop into if you're after a quick pint or meeting with friends, I just can't see myself wanting to spend all night here - I think I'd get very bored, very quickly of the beers on offer - but this is my own overly pretentious beery opinion!

great atmosphere, kind of edgy. traditional pub with nice bar tenders and a queue-yourself juke…read morebox. its card only, which isnt a problem for me. bathrooms and floor are super clean (no food)

While I really do like these grunge pubs, the thing that annoyed me about this one was that they…read moreonly accepted card, which I personally don't appreciate, being the type of person to prefer to use cash when I am at drinking establishments. However, that aside, this pub I have to admit was certainly pretty cool, especially since it was a grunge pub, but then again I really do like grunge pubs like this one, so I'm certainly quite delighted that I randomly wandered into this one.

This is a very popular pub and there are many reasons why this is the case. They cater for their…read morecustomers brilliantly and provide a warm, friendly environment with great service. It can get very busy but it is still a friendly place and the atmosphere laid-back. The live music is great and they show horseracing and football on the TVs around the place. Best of all though is the Guinness which must be the best in Manchester!

Be fecking Jesus this a good pub. Proper Irish, not themed…read more Really cosy, friendly and inviting. Made all the better for being just off the beaten track, the best place to enjoy a Guiness in Manchester. Just a shame it shuts so early- I'm still getting used to this about Manchester.