Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sandbar

    4.3 (49 reviews)
    ModerateGastropubs
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Sandbar Photos

    SANDBAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Sandbar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The new bartender
    Mante Z.

    You may not think much of Sandbar if you're one of those people who judge a book by its cover. In fact, you may have walked passed it many times on your way to a pub next door without even noticing it! I know I have, for years. When you walk through the door, you might also think that it's just another English pub. However this quickly changes when you see their lovely Italian menu and the wide range of delicious beers! Their pizzas are made from fresh local ingredients and are just as good as those in fancy Italian restaurants. The walls of Sandbar are decorated with modern art, there's also a jukebox in the corner and it's much more spacious that might seem from the outside, including a little courtyard. Sandbar is perfect for large groups of people, there are quite a few large tables inside, the service is speedy and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. In a short time it has become one of those regularly visited places. Very well done, Sandbar!

    Pizza!
    Emily B.

    It's about time I reviewed Sandbar! My first visit here was when spending the weekend in Manchester with a friend, before I moved here. I remember liking it very much and trying a lot of different beers. I also remember being horrified that they serve 'flat' beer (with the sparkler off) but apparently that isn't something I notice or care about anymore. I've visited here numerous other times, but it wasn't until recently that I had the food, so now seems a good time to review it. It's a bit shabby, and the toilets are nasty, but I guess that's part of the studenty charm? They have an ace beer selection and I believe many other good drinks, though I've never got past the beer myself. They're very happy to chat to you about beer and let you try different ones, which I always appreciate. Oonagh C and I popped in to get food before seeing a comedy gig next door. We chose two pizzas which I can't remember the names of but one had ham, mushrooms and gorgonzola, and the other had chorizo and chillies. Both were delicious and most importantly, huge! There did seem to be quite a lot of oil on top of them, though this doesn't bother me and if it did I could easily soak it up with a napkin. I would 100% order the ham/mushroom/gorgonzola one again. The rest of the menu is interesting and varied and offers veggie and vegan options. Basically I always have a good time here and the food and drinks are great.

    james b.

    The epitome of the independant ramshackle bar- I honestly thought I'd wandered into someones student digs house party. Sandbar says "to hell with decor, lets have some atmosphere!". The place is a mess, the seating is recycled and the flooring caused my me to fall down a small flight of stairs and twist my ankle in front of some intimidating cool, bearded people (oh why can't I grow a decent beard?!). But the real measure of the place is the number of drinkers who came to my aid and how ever one else at least waited for me to limp off before laughing amongst themselves. If you like lovely people, and I know plenty of you do, you could do much worse than Sandbar.

    Chris F.

    This is a lovely chilled venue for a drink. Take your pick from the four ales or have the cider. Some very interesting options. Food looks worth investigating too (I hadn't time). There a few different relaxing rooms to kick back in. Try not to get lost in the toilet though. The inside of the door is so covered with pictures it is hard to see that it is there on your way out! Unlike the Sandbar that features in Bitchin' Camaro, this sandbar doesn't let underage kids drink. Almost though it is a student hangout.

    alexandra s.

    This bar has a great atmosphere. I like the recycled bus seats and the shabby chic interior. Sandbar opened in 1996 and quickly established itself as a for students, academics and local people who enjoy friendly conversation in this intimate and independent local. The place will serve you coffee, newspapers and provide free wifi by day , then at night it comes alive with its jukebox, live music, exhibitions of local artists/film makers work . Sandbar really is a place for everybody to come and unwind and be in the presence of like-minded people. Well done sandbar!

    website photo
    Lucy H.

    Sand bar is a great reason to be at the Uni of Manchester, if you could pin it down to an Oxford Road alcohol house. I like how it's just a mish mash of characters, wood and random pictures. Randomness I think I'd describe it as, good randomness of course. I've only been in a couple of times for some after lecture goodness but it's just perfect for that. Got the chill factor if I dare say. As a member of the campaign for real ale and in the good beer guide, you can guarantee a quality drink and none of that generic watered drown rubbish you might get elsewhere. That's if you're into your beer ranges. They've also got their very own phoenix pilsner beer brewed to German law. Fancy. That's amongst all the speciality bottled stuff. Enough about beer. It's got the traditional pub feel to it, serving food, coffee and newspapers along with the erm beer. Not ever had anything else but that to be honest. But opposite the Deaf Institute, it's a perfect combination for what speaks cool, independent Manchester.

    Pizza Capricciosa
    Chloé Y.

    Sooooo, after Yelp's Pizza Off where I made the discovery that Sandbar was behind my favourite pizza slice of the night, I couldn't wait to eat the other 9 or so slices that I felt was missing to make me whole again. I got some friends to join me and we were able to find a table and ordered at the bar. Not too late after that we were told that for the pizza I wanted to eat again, they had ran out of the smoked cured ham Speck. I had the option to change pizza or substitute with cooked ham. I opted for more mushrooms instead. There was a bit of wait for our pizzas. My friends who got the burgers were served quickly and one of the two Capricciosa pizzas came out. The nice boy from the kitchen came back and apologised and offered the table a round of drinks! We were in no rush and didn't mind but their gesture made the night all the better. When the two remaining pizzas came, they looked cooked to perfection! As my friend remarked, "It's all about the base!" As she tapped the crispy dough and took a large bite. Because I had been expecting the same pizza I tried on Monday night's Pizza Off, I had failed to read the menu properly and didn't realise the restaurant version did not have rocket on the Tirolese but again, the nice boy from the kitchen was happy to oblige! The Jerk Chicken burger, and the regular burgers were also well received - there were groans through full moths about how juicy they were. The only complaint was that the ketchup from Good Earth, which boasts no added sugar, was not as good as good ol'Ketchup. All in all, this second review of Sandbar, after sampled some of the menu, still gets 5 stars! For their relaxed atmosphere, indie music, fantastic friendly service and amazing pizzas. There were also some other Italian-inspired items such as lasagne which I'm looking forward to try some of those next time!

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kirsten P.
    14
    426
    387

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mante Z.
    15
    10
    24

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jonny Q.
    3527
    901
    3685

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of james b.
    13
    489
    477

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sarah-Jane B.
    280
    1096
    3360

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Sandbar Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Sandbar

    Located down Oxford Road towards the universities, this pub is a reliable go to place any time of the year.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    The Devonshire Arms

    The Devonshire Arms

    5.0(1 review)
    36.6 mi

    I came to eat here last week with my boyfriend and his family. I was especially looking forward to…read morecoming here as it had won Restaurant of the Year 2011 by Eat Sheffield! The drive to the restaurant was lovely and scenic, going down dark and winding country roads until suddenly we drive around a corner and The Devonshire Arms appeared! We'd got there a little early and we sat down by the bar for some drinks. The menu was displayed on a chalkboard by the seating area and it all looked yummy! The dining area was quite small but very nice and cosy. The kitchen was open and you could see the chefs chopping and cooking away which I quite liked. I chose the rabbit and pheasant terrine with grape chutney as my starter; it came with onion bread and the slice of terrine was huge! I really wanted to finish it, but I couldn't as there was no way I'd be have enough room for my main! For the main, I had venison steak served with new potatoes (usually served with mash which I couldn't have as it had milk/cream in it) and braised red cabbage. The steak was pink and cooked to perfection and the red cabbage was sweet but with a little tart edge to it. I didn't have a dessert but the rest of the party did - my boyfriend had a deconstructed banana cheesecake and his sister had a brownie (I overheard her saying it was the best brownie she'd ever tasted!). All of the staff were really nice, especially the lady who served us that night, she was really lovely and very attentive. The Devonshire Arms fully deserves it's awards and hope it gets more in the future. If you're ever around the Sheffield area and want to venture out of the city centre for some food make sure you come here. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect meal.

    Photos
    The Devonshire Arms - Deconstructed Banana Cheesecake

    See all

    Deconstructed Banana Cheesecake

    The Railway

    The Railway

    5.0(2 reviews)
    30.3 mi

    A wining combination of fantastic food and wonderful service make the Railway a go to spot for…read moretravelers and locals alike. A wonderful English pub nestled in a beautiful location, the decor is traditional pub but with modern upgrades to the bar, but its the food that's the real winner here. Specials listed on chalkboards around the pub offer alternates to the solid menu, i really wished i could have ordered about 5 appetizers and 6 main's but alas, only one stomach! Prawn cocktail app was traditional English, small prawns in a delicious marie rose sauce with a few slices of granary bread, this was a huge serving, could almost feed two (but there was no way i was sharing!) For mains i went light, grilled salmon with baked potato with seasonal veggies, absolutely cooked to perfection grilled salmon with a decent sized potato with carrots and green beans. Other winners at our table were the Sunday roast, meat and potato pie, ribs and chicken and the southern fried chicken. Great value, clean, and a well diverse menu make The Railway one of my favorite places to visit when i'm in England.

    Very surprised to see that nobody has reviewed this great little pub-cum-restaurant yet, as it's…read morebeen popular locally for years! You can always get a really good feed, with food ranging from hearty pasta dishes to Asian favourites like Thai green curry etc. Maybe none of the food is particularly groundbreaking, but it's hard to bear for value for money and me and my wife often come here when we have someone to look after the kids. There's plenty of space and the pricing is very fair for what you get. Only minor quibble might be that the music is sometimes a little on the loud side and I always feel vaguely rushed when that's the case, but like I say: a minor quibble in what is otherwise a very nice little local haunt.

    Photos
    The Railway

    See all

    The Old Wellington

    The Old Wellington

    4.0(60 reviews)
    1.0 miCity Centre
    ££

    Gotta check out this 1556 building and the English pub. The building is old timber with really neat…read morewindows. It's a narrow and tall building with separate floors for dining. We dined on the second floor for lunch on a Sat. We did not have reservations-but they are recommended. My friend dined on a lively chicken bacon avo salad. I had the chicken bacon cheese sandwich. We added halloumi fries which were delish! Our waitress was MIA most of the time-needing to go to the bar to ask for check and to order.

    The Old Wellington was a great choice for our first meal in Manchester. I had been scoping out…read moreplaces to eat in the area prior to our visit, and with it's unique facade and close proximity to the day's activities, it made for a memorable meal. The food itself was delicious. I had a carrot soup. It was fresh and not overly salty. The sourdough bread and butter was the perfect complement and I enjoyed my meal immensely. My husband had a salmon bowl which looked incredible, but I didn't sample. One of the things we really liked about The Old Wellington was the high caliber of food quality. Being that we had just embarked on our UK trip, it was nice to have a meal that was healthy. I was really blown away by how great the food was and extra happy that I didn't have to settle for something overly rich that would've weighed me down for the days of walking ahead. While the atmosphere and the food were 5 stars all the way, I am deducting one star for the length of time it took to get the food. We scanned the QR code on our table to place our order (a relic from Covid times I suppose), and it took nearly 40 minutes for our food to arrive. We noticed other people going in and placing their orders, but this was confusing since our drink order arrived in a somewhat timely manner. We had timed tickets for an attraction nearby, so I had to leave part of my meal behind. Kind of a bummer since the food was so good and an hour should've been plenty of time to not feel rushed. Of worthy mention is the conveniently central location in Manchester. Literally less than 5 minutes walk to great shopping, Chetham's Library and Manchester Cathedral. We loved our time in Manchester, and someday we'll be back to try more from the Old Wellington. Next time, we'll place our order inside :-)

    Photos
    The Old Wellington - Cask ales

    Cask ales

    The Old Wellington - Halloumi Fries

    Halloumi Fries

    The Old Wellington - Window view from my table.

    See all

    Window view from my table.

    The Boat Inn - Ox cheek croquettes

    The Boat Inn

    4.0(8 reviews)
    45.9 mi
    ££

    The Boat is afloat !!…read more Nestled right up alongside the River Dee and recently reopened, the Boat has lost none of its charm or ambiance. I like the fact that they support the community around the area by buying their Beer and Produce locally whenever possible. Records date an Alehouse here right back to the 13th century and the interior decor reflects how the building has grown through the centuries.Lots of Oak beams and stone floors add buckets of character. You can choose one of the quiet corners for privacy or park up in one of the larger open areas and banter away or, weather permitting, take a table outside. Called in for lunch the other day and the menu, although not extensive, has everything for feeding all tastes from a wake-up morning coffee (open at 11am) to a refreshing pint of ale and home baked pie, or spend an easy evening with a fondue and some warm torn bread washed down with a pint of locally brewed traditional free house Cask Ale. They also have an excellent choice of Wines should you fancy a change. Once you have had your fill then ease down that food and drink by taking a riverside country walk!! The scenery is stunning. The great thing about 'The Boat' is that is a place for all seasons. When the weather is warm you can sit alongside the river and watch folk fishing for Trout, Salmon and Eel and may even catch a glimpse of the Otters who live on the opposite bank. When colder weather arrives you walk through the door to be welcomed by open log fires, and feel like you are home. Turning up here on a snowy Winters afternoon is a Dickensian delight. Word of warning - double check your directions before you set out as the Boat Inn is off the beaten track at the end of a long winding lane. ..... Maybe it should be called The One Way Inn ?

    What a secret little haven The Boat Inn is! It's only about 10 minutes from our house, but we…read moreliterally stumbled across it on one of our daily jaunts around the countryside. And what a lucky day for us! Charming snug of a place, the open fires, low ceilings and original beams transport you back to a simpler time. The staff is wonderfully warm and welcoming, with excellent food to back it up. A combination of traditional pub food and higher-end "gastro-pub" fare, you really can't go wrong here. And the portions are impressive-- beware if you're ordering a starter and main. You may not have room for their excellent desserts! Ample seating inside and out-- can't wait for warmer weather to sit outside at the picnic tables alongside the River Dee. The best inside seating is in the original building as opposed to the more modern conservatory (though it depends on your taste). Bookings are not necessary, but if you want a seat by the fire, definitely call ahead!

    Photos
    The Boat Inn - Pumpkin spice espresso martini

    Pumpkin spice espresso martini

    The Boat Inn - Pea panacotta crab dip

    Pea panacotta crab dip

    The Boat Inn - Vietnamese Can Tom pork

    See all

    Vietnamese Can Tom pork

    Pie & Ale

    Pie & Ale

    4.1(49 reviews)
    0.9 miNorthern Quarter
    ££

    First time in Pie and Ale, which in itself is astonishing given they are two of my favourite…read morethings. But now I know why, even though it's not hidden, it's listed as being on Lever St but in reality it set back from the road slightly down Faraday St. So it's not immediately visible from Lever St unless you're looking for it; which is really my only reason for not giving it 5*. Pie and Ale doesn't bound head long towards the current fashion of ultra trendy scrounged and up-cycled interiors that so many bars are doing, it's interior is very clean and simple but also warm and inviting and won't age or go out of fashion as quickly as some of the other bars in the NQ. It's also got several different space so you can choose to sit in the open seating area with the large glass windows, next to the bar at high benches or walk around the corner and up the stairs for a more cosy intimate set of booths above the bar; this means the location can suit a lot of different situations. They have a good selection of ales for the likes of myself, but have a good range of bottle beers and your general assortment of keg beers, wines etc. The pies are on the pricey side (£9.95-£11.95) especially compared with the likes of Pie Minister (£7.95 for the Mothership) only a few blocks away, but they are big and hearty as you'd hope and with the availability of cask beer (Pie Minister only has bottles) improves the experience for me. In my opinion it's always nicer having a fresh well kept pint than having bottled beer. I had the Moufflon and Minted Chocolate which was spot on as far as I'm concerned the chocolate and stout sauce went fantastically with the well cooked steak. Overall I really enjoyed the relaxed feel of Pie and Ale and will be most likely to return now I know where it is.

    I think I've found my new favourite place!…read more Ok so I've been here before for our Elite event a few months back (and that was a flying visit) and I've had many friends spreading the gospel about this place being super amazing for beer, food and general 'good time' ambience but on Saturday night everything came together to really make me say "yeah I get it now" So without going into all the boring details - they do pies very well, they do ale vey well - the pies coming from a selection of about 12 (I had the steak and 3 cheese with peas and mash - £11.95) and a pretty similar sized range of craft beers, cask and real ales on tap. I really thought the selection was excellent (and well priced - a flight of 3 thirds was £3.40 of cask ale) and their bottles are a good mix of what America and Europe has to offer! This place is going to be amazing for the world cup with a big screen up in the main bar showing all the matches (they were actually showing the Champions league final on Sat night, adding to the ambience) - and the music was just the icing on the cake - what a fantastic selection of reggae, dub and hiphop for the 3 hours I was in. Really looking forward to going back and having some great beer with a phat ass pie soon! *extra note should go to all the waiting staff - amazing friendliness and table service all night - nice job guys!*

    Photos
    Pie & Ale - Lunch special pie & a pint

    Lunch special pie & a pint

    Pie & Ale
    Pie & Ale - Raspberry beer! So so nice

    See all

    Raspberry beer! So so nice

    Sandbar - gastropubs - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...