Went here right after coming to Manchester from New York and we were blown away. The service was fast and really polite, the food was cooked perfect and delicious, I really enjoyed this palace of a palate. I got the amazing Miso Mushroom Steak Ramen it was great and I really enjoyed the eggs and steak especially, warm and cozy making me feel home away from home. My dad also got one but with tofu he says he wishes he got the steak ramen I got which was probably better so I'd chose that unless you're vegan or allergic of course! My brother had a delicious margarita pizza which was amazing I had a slice and I loved it very saucy and doughy, not hard crust, if you don't like soft crust you may not like that much. I also got a custom drink which was a Fanta they made for me which was fine. Overall great atmosphere, experience, and eats. If you're in the area in Manchester you must stop by there! Whether you sit in or outside the restaurant there's beautiful views along the bay, great time for all, cheers! read more

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Went early on Friday night for dinner. Nice walk along the canal even in the rain. Seated right away as walk-in at 1830. Advised we could have a table for 2 until 2000. DJ played a great variety of music. Music was not too loud to hold a conversation at the table. Beautiful decorations through out the place. Service was great and fast. Very attentive waitress. Food was hot and flavorful. Good selection on menu, something for everyone. Seating outside looked comfortable. The deck is covered. There were heaters outside. Overall a great experience in a chilly, rainy night. read more

Dukes 92 - Jameson sour. So good - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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This is a nice place. All very modern, but right next to canal with canal boats going through the locks. Big picture: Quite nice. Dukes has a huge outdoor area. We went in August and it was quite warm in the sun. I know they only get four weeks of good weather per year, but a few umbrellas would be nice. We had a group of maybe fifteen for drinks and dinner. As is always the case with larger groups, the waiter needed patience - and he had a lot of it. He got all of our orders right, and even remembered who needed what for refills. There were lots of refills. Just being honest. I don't remember what I ordered. But I remember it was good. Did I mentioned there might have been beer involved? Anyway, it's a great place to meet. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. If you have a gathering, give this place a look. read more

Dukes 92 - One man; one pizza. - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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I can't remember the last time I was here. Most likely 15 years plus. I was visiting from the US and wanted to bring the family to an iconic Manchester eatery Dukes did not disappoint , we sat outside while the kids watched the canal boats navigate the lock Food was good , service good and weather perfect read more

Dukes 92 - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

I really wanted to like Dukes 92, a large bar in the Castlefield district of the city centre, along the Canal on Castle St but it was a letdown for me. Upon entering the venue, I found it to be complicated, there was no one to sit people down, or explain how the ordering system worked, when I approached a bartender he was told to find a table myself, he seemed really disinterested before I then found out that you had to use a mobile app to order and pay - I'm fine and actually prefer it that way but they need to make it clear you must use the app! Service also seems really slow for drinks, I even wondered if my drink order had gone through without a technical mishap or kerfuffle and had to consult a waitress if they had received my order. The interior is quite nice and comfortable, with a varied selection of high and low seats and prices are reasonable and competitive for the city centre. There is a nice, large outdoor area for a rare sunny day in Manchester, and table bookings are possible in the restaurant. The menu selection of both food and drinks is fairly good. A nice location and interior, with some positives for sure, yet not without its' flaws. I would return but not for drinks only. 3* read more

Overall, this was a pretty mediocre dinner for me. I made a reservation for myself, but the host still put two menus down. This led to the server taking their time thinking I was waiting for someone else when I wasn't. Very good selection of drinks, however I don't believe this restaurant believes in seasoning of any kind. Everything was extremely bland, but once I added salt and pepper to my burger it was marginally better. Also, my server was good, but every other staff member I came in contact with seemed annoyed I was there. It also turns into a club around 7 pm, and the music was so loud that everyone started screaming so they could talk to each other. I can confidently say I won't be the back the next time I am in Manchester. read more

Dukes 92 has been a frequent watering hole of mine since my student days. It's an excellent pub / bar right in the heart of Castlefield and attracts many variations of folk from your after work drinkers, couples and groups of friends. It's particularly great in the summer as their outside terrace and balcony is a great sun trap and the best place to grab a burger from their outside BBQ and lounge around all day with mates. This was my first time in Dukes Grill, as I was meeting friends there after so I found it best to eat here too. It was much better than I had actually anticipated. We ordered some halloumi skewers and cod and gruyère fishcakes for starters. Both were very good. I also had the home made cheese and onion pie with chunky chips - again this was excellent. I was very pleasantly surprised. On a Friday night it was quite loud and rowdy, as the Grill is essentially part of the main bar area - but I didn't mind it. read more

Dukes 92 - Deep fried halloumi skewers and cod and Gruyere fish cakes - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Dukes 92 is a bar in Castlefield, with a great terrace outside for those summer months. Its the perfect place to hang out with your friends whilst the sun beams down on this great terrace. It does get extremely busy and i do recommend that you get here early to get a table. The setting is absolutely perfect with a backdrop of the city centre and the canal right next to it with barge boats passing by. The inside isn't really that special and the staff were a bit offish and not the friendliest. This place is only great for the huge terrace outside with waiter service which will make me return. read more

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My fellow Yelpers have written very comprehensive reviews about Dukes 92 and have covered all the important bits so I am going to give you all the interesting morsels about this Castlefield staple. 1. Fit, fit bloke behind the bar. Brown and bald with a cheeky grin, he is always wiping down the bar after messy punters(usually female) drop their wine spritzers because they are drooling at him. 2. Summer barbeques are the best here. Pay a fiver at the bar and sit outside if you can actually find a spot because this place is so popular . The BBQ bloke grills up a feast of steak sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs with yummy onions. 3. The cheese platter comes with a wedge of bread that is half a loaf thick so it is advisable to share with someone. 4. Highly expensive for weddings and private parties though. Any place that drones on about minimum spends in this current economic climate is totally up itself. 5. Tiny toilets. For a place as crazily busy as this, I would have encouraged them to extend the loo area rather than have huge corners with chaise longues stuck in them, no matter how pretty they are. 6. Good for parking, but again, it gets really busy at weekends so you may be stalling on the cobbles for a while. 7. Great food. Love the burgers and the starters are amazing. The staff are a little too attentive and you sometimes wish they would go away and leave you to enjoy the food. All in all, Dukes 92 has survived the test of time. It attracts match lovers, office workers, ladies that lunch, families and all other walks of life to its lovely location. This is a meeting place for all Mancunians and it retains its charm and quality despite the throngs of thirsty punters who crowd its premises. read more

Dukes 92 - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Dukes is one of the most spacious pubs I have seen in Manchester, they have a massive indoor and outdoors seating area overlooking the canal. It is ideal for dates, drinks with friends or even business meetings. I love to come here when its still light because of their outdoor seating area. Love their pizza, pints, outdoor seating area and the bar! It is right next door to my office and definitely is my go-to place when I want a pint after work with a few friends! It is absolutely brilliant during summer because of their massive outdoor seating area and bar-b-q (it is yummm try the chicken wings). read more

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Fantastic place to come in the summer on a sunny day. Down near the scenic area of Castlefield, Dukes 92 sits by the canal. It's a huge venue and a nice upmarket looking pub with very high ceilings. I brought my American friend here on a Thursday afternoon for drinks on their outdoor patio. She had a cocktail and I had a pint- took a while to get served because it was fairly busy but there were lots of staff on. The sun was shining and it was absolutely packed outside so difficult to find a table, but we did get one. It was really nice for people watching and whiling away the afternoon. I haven't eaten there- they also have a BBQ on the weekends, which I've yet to try but I can imagine it's heaving on a Saturday or Sunday. Loved Dukes and I'm sure I'll be back many times this summer. read more

Dukes 92 - Outdoor patio - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Manchester peeps like to drink outdoors and get they tan on?! Hellz yah. This spot is in a dope location (Castle Gate) and there's plenty of tables for you to come sit at with your mates, to drink, relax and chat. Just like all the other pubs in the UK, there is NO table service so you have to order at the bar and bring the drinks back to your spot. I love this paradigm...fuck american waitresses that are tryna get tips and rush people outta the bar...fuck em. You got something to say, murrican? Put up your Dukes. seewhatiddithere read more

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I've got to admit something here- I've never actually been IN Dukes 92. But when a bar has arguably the most picturesque outdoor seating area of any in the country we don't have to worry about "the details". Situated of the periphery of the Castlefield basin, its all cobbled streets, canals, bridges and arches and.....why am I wasting my time, if you've been then you KNOW what I'm talking about and if you haven't then shame on you. Carlsberg don't make bar patios but if they did......... read more

Dukes 92 - The famous Rocky steps had been shamelessly exploited as a tourist trap. What would Adrian think? - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Definitely a great place to sit back relax and soak up the sun when the weather permits! Get acoustics played on the weekends making the place all the more relaxing.. one of my fave places here in Manchester xxx read more

Dukes 92 - One bright sunny day at Dukes. . . Can u say no to this???? Nah uhhhh - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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Dukes has a humble residence within a dusky corner of my brain, namely deep inside the old 'nostalgia box.' It's the location that I meet one of my bestest friends every few weeks to indulge in a good old catch up on each others lives accompanied by some attentive service and tasty food. Dukes is situated in probably one of the most ideal spots in Manchester in the heart of Castlefield, this is no better punctuated than when the sun comes out. I used to live in Castlefield and when the sun granted us an appearance it was one of lives simple pleasures to head over to Dukes and take full advantage of the AL fresco dining on the patio in amongst families of ducks waddling happily along and people with cheery smiles (the sun had come out - wahey!) The staff at Dukes for the most part have been friendly but if I'm going to be picky I would say that some members of staff could be slightly more attentive. I only make this slight criticism because whenever I have been in recently it's been afternoon-ish, not lunchtime and not evening meal time, around 4pm ish, but the service has been a bit lack lustre....BUT not necessarily bad, just a bit apathetic I suppose. Ahh, I feel like Simon Cowell....not good. I digress! Serious reviewing to do... As a non meat eater I thoroughly enjoy the Goats cheese salad and was impressed with the generous portions! I would highly recommend you to request the granary bread as a side because its absolutely delectable and I don't usually rave over bread. My lovely companion always goes through the motions of 'pizza or risotto....hmmmm which one...' and then ultimately gets seduced by the Mushroom risotto which she adores. The prices are fairy reasonable but possibly slightly on the pricey side, especially for the fish and meat dishes. They have also had the exact same menu for what seems like an eternity so it would be lovely to have a bit of a shake up and add some new options possibly. Free parking which is refreshing for a city centre-ish venue. Just get there early or you'll be fighting for a spot. All in all, a comfy restaurant/bar in which to meet up with old or new friends and have a good old catch up but it really shines when sun pops out to say 'Hello Manchester' and the AL fresco eating/drinking can be engaged. read more

Really nice bar / restaurant. Big venue. Can get busy at weekends. It's got a nice seating area outside which is lovely to sit outside when weather is nice. Also has to upper level "balcony". At weekends they sometimes have a BBQ. (I believe they have a carvery on Sunday lunchtime??) (Next door is the restaurant Albert Shed). read more

I thought Dukes 92 was kind of similar to the Deansgate Locks places which had put me off going but whether it's due to the recent redecoration or it's always been this way, it has a really nice interior and terrace. There's even some comfortable and fairly quiet seating outside on the opposite end from the DJ. The food looks decent and the bar service is quick which is impressive given the amount of people drinking. Definitely one to check out on a sunny day. read more

Food is fab, reasonably priced for the location, and arrives quickly... always a bonus when you turn up after everyone else... who have already eaten. Atmosphere is nice and laid back, on really sunny days it can get really busy, especially outside because of the sun trap. Service was good. Only bad point was the table we were sat at was next to a window with no curtain and the sun was glaring through so a few of us were blinded! read more

This is my first review, so I thought I'd start with a place just down the road from me, and one that I frequent often. I don't want to like Dukes... I'm ultimately a petty person at heart and so when I stand outside of Dukes and take in it's original-meets-modern brickwork exterior, when I move to one side to let an attractive couple (making their way towards an Audi R8 parked on the cobbled road) pass, when I peer over to the group of would-be city gents inexplicably drinking champagne at 5.30pm on a Thursday, I have to suppress the thought that I'll never be quite cool enough to truly fit in a place like this. This review, however, is not meant to be about my issues with self-respect. From the moment you step onto the premises, you know you're walking into a locale that has perfected its' fundamentals - it's simultaneously airy and bright whilst capable of feeling cosy and/or vibrant at the same time. The mixture of booths, large tables, small tables, armchairs and highchairs (the adult variety) basically give any visitor the option for whichever experience they prefer. In addition to the bar, there's also a grill, several function rooms and a terrace where they offer to host corporate/private events including a BBQ during the warmer months. As well as the terrace on the first floor, there's a sizeable outside seating area (with some outside heaters for the winter smokers) which is rammed with sunglass-clad locals the second that Manchester experiences above-freezing temperatures - during sunnier days, a BBQ is put on out here as well. The bar tends to be well stocked and carries enough beers, stouts, lagers and ciders to cater for a solid drinking session - but might disappoint those who prefer their speciality ales in abundance. The bar takes its name from the fact that it is on Lock 92 of the Rochdale Canal... so you can occasionally gawk at a poor family struggling to get their narrowboat up a watery hill whilst parents cling to their children and point at them. I'm hardly a boat enthusiast, but there is a certain cathartic pleasure to be taken from sitting on the canal-side watching this all unfold. The bar has a fairly solid menu, which hasn't changed much over the years... if it ain't broke... I suppose. There are salads and sandwiches but the main event is the pizzas. Take a friend, take a date, take a stranger off the street, get them to share a pizza board with you and it will automatically make life feel a little bit better. We order a sweet chilli chicken pizza with a side of chips (I'm fairly sure Dukes was the 'first' place in Manchester to bring you fries in a little metal bucket - a lot of other places seem to have imitated this little quirk since) - it arrives in good time and is as tasty as the last 400 pizza boards I've had in this place. If you're going for a lunch and are sporting a hangover, I'd also recommend the fish-finger sandwich (it's posher than it sounds). There are a few things that let Dukes down - I only cite them in the interests of balance... When it's quieter (I often go early on a Sunday afternoon), there can be a lot of people behind the bar but not much serving going on. Additionally, often I find that I'm cleaning my table for them when I take a seat... usually this is because they're really busy (which is fine - I ain't no snob) but this has also happened when the place is practically empty as well. The management tend to be fairly on the ball though, so this seems to happen when there's no apparent supervisor nearby. On the whole though, I should say, that the staff are professional and friendly. The clientele is largely predictable; yuppies (do people still say that?) frequent the bar most evenings, but there's still a strong presence of couples, families and less-conspicuous professionals. Given that this place is so popular, you sometimes find that a rowdier crowd has stumbled across the place but the lack of a 'sports bar' feel usually means that they don't stay too long. I have seen the occasional match played on a projector, but it only tends to attract a few stray glances from under-the-thumb dads who have been banned from watching it with their mates in favour of a meal with the in-laws. Dukes is the sort of place that Manchester graduates and local twenty-somethings want to bring their parents to; it is a safe venue to leave parents with the opinion that 'our son/daughter is maturing nicely'... I know this as I remember trying to get them to think just that about 4 years ago... If I won the lottery, I'd want to buy Dukes... but I'd also want it to remain exactly the same... that says a lot about me, but hopefully more about a place that is incredibly popular, and has got the formula very very right. read more

Stumbled across this place on our doorstep as we went in search of an after-work drink on a sunny Friday. The massive beer garden was packed with a crowd of city workers on their way home, and livelier groups starting their weekend with a bang. The drinks selection in the bar was extensive, and more than adequate with Sam Adams on draught. The interior is a mix of modern styling in a classic Manchester property, and the combination works well. Next to the bar is a small deli counter serving cold cuts, salads and ploughmans style snacks. Their pork pie and piccalilli was excellent, and more than enough to keep me going until a meal later that evening. The beer garden also boats a BBQ pit, although I'm not sure if it's only used at certain times as their was no sign (or smell) of it whilst we were there. read more

Came along for a drink on Thursday night, having heard about their tipi tent during the renovation works. It was a very quirky set up; an eclectic mix of coffee tables, armchairs and chaise lounges, and fairy lights wound around the pillars. The place was really busy, but we managed to find a seat and eventually someone came to clear away the glasses from the previous customers. It had a good atmosphere, and felt very snug under the canopy (if not ever so slightly chilly!). I asked the barman if they served cocktails, and he reluctantly said he could possibly do some. So instead I opted for a G and T. He made one up with Portobello Road gin and a nice tonic, although you'd hope it would be nice as that and a beer came to nearly £15! Would have appreciated being offered an alternative option, but the bar seemed quite limited in stock. It was certainly a cool little spot to have a drink, but not sure I'd hurry back. However, I have been to Dukes 92 before it closed for renovation and loved it, so look forward to seeing the place in full swing again later this year. read more

I was invited here for a few drinks by a business client, so of course I had to go! This is definitely one of the more upper class places on the Deansgate side of town, with high ceilings, lavish rest rooms, plush furniture and a gigantic bar with a huge array of drinks (expensive ones too). I agree with Helen C's comment below in that the staff are very attentive and constantly ensured that we were well looked after and happy. I've given it four stars instead of five because there is either no air-conditioning, or it wasn't working because it was far too warm in there, so much so that I had to keep going outside. read more

Dukes 92 on Sundays. Yum. Second only to my mum, this place does a fantastic Sunday lunch. It's very popular during the Summer due to it being right in the middle of Castlefield and a fantastic suntrap but it's equally as good in the winter as far as I'm concerned for a fantastic place to pig out! Only served until 4pm though so get down early or you'll miss out! It's not just good for Sundays though, it's a good place to go to anytime, there's a nice homey feel to it, it's close to town, the drinks are cheap, the service is quick, it's comfortable especially if you sit in a booth and they serve really nice pizzas up until 10pm. What more could you want?! read more

I can see the appeal of Dukes. Wide open spaces and plenty of seating make for a very attractive atmosphere. After a wander down the canal and through the Castlefield Artisan Market, we happily plonked ourselves down at Dukes. Or was it Albert's Shed? I assume that these places are owned by the same people - or that said people are best buds - as you don't quite know who's territory you've plonked yourself in. This didn't matter to us as we were only ordering drinks, but can imagine some real confusion if food was thrown into the mix. We had a lovely time sat outside, watching a canal boat pass through the lock while supping our pints. But it was just that - lovely. I didn't feel anything special towards Dukes. It felt like a run of the mill, hugely popular when it's sunny kind of establishment. Maybe the wonder lies in the food? I guess a revisit is on the cards. read more

Me and my brother happened to have been in one of the Dukes conference type rooms for an evening event. As we were leaving to go and get food we saw a large sign downstairs in the restaurant area of the pub that said something along the lines of 50% off all food, every Monday. It was a rainy Monday night - winner! So we decided to avoid getting wet and stay for a purse-friendly dinner. We didn't have a booking and we were told there'd be a 40 minute wait. That's fair enough you might say but, the Duke as a pub is pretty spacious, the restaurant section seemed to take up a quarter of the space at most and even at 7.30 it was half empty, and the rest of the pub even less so. No effort was made by staff to accommodate us in the half empty dining area, e.g. offer a table with time restriction, or even to allow us to eat our meal in the pub area - which is basically separated from the other diners merely by a metre high wall. What could have been a relaxed and opportunistic meal left me feeling pretty irked and we left to go elsewhere. I thought the point of special offers was to generate custom?! I didn't quibble with the waitress but it's fair to say that they just couldn't have cared less about our custom, which is fine because they won't be seeing it again! read more

Situated right by the canal, Dukes 92 features a generously sized terrace with a barbecue which can get extremely busy (but then that's always a good sign). One of the highlights of the venue is the outside seating area. With great views, both day and night, it's a fantastic location to sit with friends and enjoying a drink any maybe a pizza. If you like a place to be buzzing with a great atmosphere, whether a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, you'll love it at Dukes. read more

Dukes 92 is obviously a very popular venue, and has been so for a long time. It's location is ideal and they have massive space, inside and outside. The food is decent (or was last time I ate there about 4 years ago) and the service is efficient. But all things being a matter of taste, this is where the positives stop for me. The crowd is not my type, the drinks selection is atrocious AND expensive. It's a cool, big, trendy bar and I guess that's not my thing. read more

Great bar on the end of Deansgate, start of Castlefield area. Lovely terrace over the canal with heaters & blankets if it's a little chilly. Bar & restaurant areas. Bar prices are a little on the expensive side. £5.20 for a pint of rekorderling but lots of options of different white beers & special ales. Food is lovely, especially the duck pizza £8.90 for 14inch pizza! Brilliant in summer for the terrace area which has bbq's read more

One visit and it has to have 4 stars. It had a great atmosphere for a drink on a chilled night out. The staff are why it is getting such a high rating. Not only are they quick serving even when it's busy but my waitress made me the best espresso Martini I have ever had and it wasn't even on the menu, she just heard me talking about it. Amazing service! read more

Dukes has been around forever but I'm not the biggest fan. It does have its beer garden but this can become overgrown with people I'd personally rather avoid. Still, catch it mid week or on a Sunday and you can find yourself all alone on a balcony with a gorgeous view of castlefield. It'll be interesting to see how Dukes continues to perform with more and more beer gardens popping up in our beautiful city read more

Dukes is Manchester`s most famous beer garden and has recently undergone an expensive refurbishment and feels brand new. It is a chilled, laid back bar serving a range of beverages include coffee cider and cocktails. The nearest tram stop is Deansgate-Castlefield and there is street parking around Dukes. read more

So I hear great things about this place's outdoor area. But going in winter, you don't expect to be able to take advantage of that. And yet again I underestimated the creativity some places will utilise. To counteract the ability of the weather to negate their awesome outdoor space, Dukes has put together a fortress of heat lamps and clear plastic sheeting to give you the impression of being outdoors while staying toasty warm. Needless to say, we opted for that area to sit in and basked in the sunshine while watching those outside slowly freeze. The other surpise was the meal deal where you got a starter and main for £10. Really? A nice restaurant with awesome seating and I can stuff myself for £10? Brilliant! I'd vote to go back anytime! read more

Now that summer is officially here, the weather doesn't seem to have got the message though. It can only mean one thing Duke's. Sitting outside pint in hand enjoying the afternoon sunshine, is there anything that can beat that? No I don't think so either. Normally there isn't too much of a wait to get a drink which is surprising because of the large number of people who flock here on a good day. Good atmosphere, great pizzas and even better steaks. Personal thing being a genuine meat lover. You'll know where to find me on a sunny weekend. read more

Solid Brit dining experience. Can be very crowded but you get your way fast. If nice weather there is a great outside terrace in the sun. Beers and more beers of course. Burgers with nice twists and more good made bar meals, well, way better than a bar. Everyone is very friendly. Good service read more

Facts: Dukes 92 was originally a stable block for the horses delivering foods off barges to the Merchants warehouse opposite. Dukes takes its name from the adjacent lock, the 92nd and final lock on the Rochdale lock. History lesson over. Today, Dukes 92 is one of the best places to drink in the Castlefield/Deansgate area because of the great beer garden looking out onto the canal. And the cobbled roads leading onto the place wins it for me also. Dukes is very popular indeed and it's only going to get more popular come summer time. Therefore inside and outside there's a great atmosphere. The music is really good although it does get really noisy combined with the buzz of conversation, this was on a Friday night. I've also had pizzas here and they too didn't disappoint. If you're looking for an extra sophisticated night, stroll on over to same owner's other masterpiece, the neighbouring Albert's Shed. Would complete quite a night if you're looking to impress. A great Castlefield date spot! read more

Dukes 92 was the establishment of choice for Rich and I to stuff our faces on Valentine's Day. The choice to eat here was, as usual for us, pretty arbitrary and based upon nothing but some absent-minded Google searching. We started by having a drink at The Knott (which I love and will review soon) and wandered round for our 8.30 reservation. We may have been about three minutes late by the time we got in and figured out who to speak to regarding our table, and were told that we didn't have one. Oh. The member of staff searched around on his computer before dragging up a page that presented us as a no show for our 8pm booking. Rich double-checked his reservation email which clearly stated 8.30. Nobody was quite sure how this had occurred, but thankfully there was absolutely no fuss and we were seated straight away. Overall, the service was great. Our waiter for the evening was Joel, who was informative, friendly and polite without being overly smarmy or coming off as 'trained'. (I hate it when staff are *too* polite. It must be a family thing: on the night before my university graduation, the barman at the hotel bar kept referring to my dad as 'Sir'. Every time he said it my dad grew more grumpy about it, which led to the barman saying it more and more. Cringe.) For starters we shared a bucket of chicken wings with chilli, spring onion and soy sop (£5.50) and scampi and whitebait with saffron and lemon mayonnaise (£6.50). These were both nicely presented in little metal buckets, in hefty portions. Both were delicious, with the wings being the star of the show. The flavours were light and zingy rather than sickly-sweet and cloying like some chicken wings I've eaten. For mains we shared steak fajitas (£13) and a blue cheese & Parma ham pizza (£9). I wasn't particularly impressed with the fajitas: slightly overcooked steak with some tiny tortillas, one of which was burnt and rigid, with some passable dips and cheese that looked like it might have come out of a pre-grated sack from Booker. The pizza was much better: I won't rush back for it, but I'd happily eat it again. For dessert we had a banoffee sundae (£5.50) which was tasty, though a bit heavy on the ice cream and a little lacking in flavour by my standards. The atmosphere in the restaurant was good: relaxed with no forced Valentine's schmaltz. I could have done without hearing Shake Your Booty by KC & the Sunshine Band twice while I was in there, but I suppose that beats piped-in muzak. Overall it was a good choice with decent, well-priced food. Chicken wings be warned - I am coming back for you. read more

I came here for a last minute decision dinner on a Monday night and after a brief wait we were able to get a table. While waiting we went to the bar to get a drink and had to stand around while the bar staff did... I'm not sure what. I want to like Duke's but every time I come here and attempt to buy a drink from the bar it takes forever. The bar staff are friendly enough but they appear to be very disorganised and there are far too many 'bar backs cutting lemons but not serving customers. We got our drinks as our table became available. The menu is broad with plenty of good looking options. I went for the venison stuffed with Stilton and wrapped in prosciutto. It was tasty but lacked finesse - it could have been so much better. I had what were described as 'honey roasted root vegetables' and 'French beans with almonds' as my sides and neither quite lives up to my expectations. They were both quite nice but I couldn't taste any honey and the almonds were mere crumbs. Again, it could have been so much better. We agreed to desserts and I had the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. The pudding was decent but tasted slightly burnt. Again.. Ok, not great. The service was friendly and as we were there on a Monday we had 50% off all food. For what we paid it was great value but I think if I had paid full price I wouldn't be so thrilled. read more

Only came here for drinks to see what it was like after a refurbishment with fellow yelpers and was pleasantly surprised to see a they'd placed trees in the middle of some tables. It's a very nice touch and the place feels refreshed and the staff are very eager to serve you... Which is good when you're in need of a drink or 5 :) read more

Dukes 92 - New tree! - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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This is a beautiful establishment that benefits from its glorious surroundings by the canal in Castlefield. The decor inside the converted stable blocks has been thoughtfully executed and the result is sublime - gorgeous reupholstered antique furniture, leather booths and warm, classic wallpapers in modern colours work perfectly together. There are different function rooms in this building, each with their own identity. In the summer the patio comes alive and it's possibly the best place to be in Castlefield. In the winter I love sitting upstairs in the gallery bar to take in views of the canal whilst I sup on my Cabernet Sauvignon and dig into my club sandwich. You won't be disappointed. read more

The best bar in town for summers and smokers. No lie. Its gargantuan suntrap terrace overlooking the canal with all its pretty barges really means this pub is to be enjoyed at its best al fresco. And the food is fabulous. Soup of the day is just £2.95, there's a range of sandwiches for £5.50, pizzas come as 10 inchers or giant pizza boards (the fungi rossi with all my favourite ingredients - field mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and goat cheese is just divine) and there are some wholesome, substantial salads too. Oh and the warm toffee brownie dessert? Ohhhh. Let me just remember that for a moment. Dukes is as kid friendly as it is pretty, with an entire children's menu. The cheeseboards are excellent and the wine list is hugely extensive... what a perfect match! Imagine, picking at delicious cheeses with a robust, fruity red, watching the boats go by in the sunshine... could you imagine a more perfect afternoon? And you can even appreciate it in winter due to the magic of patio heaters... and the bar's nice on the inside too, so if you can't yoink a seat outside it'll still be a pleasurable experience. Get involved! read more