'Prairie Schooner'? Were the owners playing a game of Scrabble when deciding on a name, I wondered. After an online search out of curiosity, I found it's actually the nickname for those horse-pulled covered wagons you see pioneers riding on in Wild West films.
I was still perplexed as to why a micropub and bottle shop in suburban Urmston chose it as their moniker, but I suppose it's memorable. Anyway, I digress.
Though it looks fairly compact from the outside, when you step through the door you find it actually stretches back quite far, with a 'drinking parlour' towards the back behind the bar (which has a small number of pumps serving cask ale and cider).
They also have perry, wine, Prosecco, whisky, small-batch gin and old-fashioned soft drinks made by independent producers.
When I asked the friendly proprietor he mentioned that they also do quiz nights, tastings, DJ sessions and Bring Your Own Vinyl nights.
To the side, they have a decent selection of American, European and local bottled beers on the shelves to take away. Some are fridge-chilled and ready for drinking.
This place is only four miles from my home in Sale; if it was within easy walking distance I'd be in here far too frequently. read more