Never have I ever. Stay tuned... this is a long and crazy story (little did she know, I'm a freelance writer!). The bar woman (heavy-set, red hair) who works there isn't wrapped tightly. I went there on Sunday night/Monday morning with some nice bartenders as a plus-one during a "bartenders-only" time. I am visiting from Toronto, Canada (first-timer) and was jiving with everyone. I go to pay via card and my friend and I were jokingly arguing about who should pay. I grab the machine before my friend can reach it, then I turn around, and begin keying in my password. The bartender then startles me by SCREAMING at me to "TURN AROUND! TURN AROUND RIGHT NOW! YOU NEED TO FACE ME WHEN YOU'RE USING THE MACHINE!" I turn around and jokingly say, "Why? You want to see my password or something?" and then she yells "I WAS ROBBED!".... Like, huh? Funnily enough, I was recently robbed (Manchester can be quite gritty). So I calmly tell her that and ask what being robbed has to do with anything. I was literally standing still, holding the machine, and keying my password into it, albeit with my back facing her. How are you freaking out about "robbery" while I'm in the midst of paying you? Weird. I promise you, it was completely out of left field. It's like she was transported into some traumatic setting from her past, wherein I was the perpetrator. So I pay and slowly hand her the machine. She snatches it rudely and people are looking at her wondering why she's being so aggressive to me. I shake it off, change the topic, and continue enjoying the night with everyone. I was never loud, drunk, rude, or obnoxios to anyone at all. And I deliberately ignored her existence. Now the bar's about to close and my friend asks if there's time to go for a smoke and come back to finish our drinks. She says yes, but we have to be quick. 3 minutes later, my beer's gone, all the tables are cleared, etc. So I calmly ask her where my beer's gone. She says she took it off the table since they're closing. I express my confusion, since my friend asked 3 minutes ago if there's time, and mumble to myself that that's $10 literally down the drain (the conversion from GBP to CAD is killer). Then -- again --, she immediately flies off the handle saying "YOU'VE BEEN AGGRESSIVE WITH ME ALL NIGHT! YOU'VE BEEN GIVING ME ATTITUDE ALL NIGHT! GET OUT! YOU'RE BANNED! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE HERE AGAIN!" Excuse me? You've got that backwards lady and everyone saw it. Don't try to make me look bad just because you embarrassed yourself. I just responded by asking her repeatedly, "Who do I look like that hurt you? Who do I remind you of?" I don't even care that she banned me. For one, I'm just a tourist passing through. And second, why would I go somewhere where I'm hated for no reason? I don't feel safe around this woman and other people who go there shouldn't either. She needs serious help. I am really disturbed by this bartender's behaviour. At least when you're robbed, there's a clear motive. Not sure what was motivating her aggression and hatred. To the owner who I met that night (yes, I'm the black woman with long dreads, seeing glasses, and a toque), please have a serious word with your bartender. She will surely try to paint me as a villain but ask anyone I was there with. And check any CCTV footage. No one deserves to be treated so poorly without cause. You don't have to like me to treat me with basic human dignity. Gah-lee. read more

Traditional-looking pub? Yes. Decent selection of ales? Alas, no. Did a search for pubs close to Chinatown before a meal and this place popped up so thought to give it a try. They were showing the footy on their two big screens so it was fairly busy in there (I say busy, there were probably 20 people but it's not particularly spacious). They had Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep Brewery's Best Bitter available - the few others were more well known lagers etc. A pint of Landlord cost £3.90 and it was supposedly happy hour so who knows what they normally charge. It just doesn't have anything that would make me want to return in a hurry to be honest, there are better boozers only a few minutes walk away. Timber to Seven Oaks... read more

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Manchester has this wonderful habit of having traditional pubs pop in the most unexpected of places. There are a few in Withingon amongst the charity shops, banks and über-cool studenty bars and vegetarian eateries, a couple along the Curry Mile, and Seven Oaks lives in Chinatown. Just round the corner from my favourite spot Bubble Café, this pub doesn't glower down at you ominously, it peeks over at you from its lofty white perch and doffs its cap. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Full of character, dark wood, a glass of white wine that knocked my socks off... but what's this? I do have something to add to the mix. If you work in the bar industry or know someone who does, you get to experience the Seven Oaks lock-in. Your bartender friend will creep up to the wooden door during the wee small hours, knock, and a slot will open. No, there's no password or bribe here, you simply say where you work and are let in for the fun. So we were there until about 4am. Yes, I just about managed the student thing again. But there was lots of fat to be chewed and plentiful beers to be drank, and you have to do these things at least once. In good company at the end of a night that just won't quit, you'd do well to curl up here. Just don't fall asleep. The staff have to go home sometime you know. read more

With friends who frequent the art gallery I've been by a time or two. I love the traditional feel of the place. They have lots of ales to experiment with (I like the Black Sheep bitter) - all go well with the pie and mash (who doesn't love that). The menu does extend beyond for those who aren't satisfied with that. They always seem to have a bunch of friendly folks around and a good game on. It is a great place to have a good time while you loose track of the world. read more

Seven Oaks - Pubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

I've only been in here once, when me and a couple of my friends stumbled across Manchester looking for somewhere to get intoxicated. We attempted K2, which we were sadly turned away from for not "Booking" and somehow ended up at the door of this quaint little pub. From a first, and possibly last experience I can say that this pub is a great place to have a nice chat and a couple of drinks. It may be small, but the staff are incredibly friendly and presents a great atmosphere! the furnishing and design of the pub gives across that old, traditional feel. So of course, very Welcoming. Sadly, we were only there for about....15 Min's, and for some reason decided to order 2 pints each, because hey....that's a smart idea! (I only ordered a Jack Daniels) Everyone there seemed to be having a great time, and the Irish bartender seemed to put a smile on every ones Face. Great pub, small, quaint, affordable and a great place to end up at. read more

I actually dare you to order a gin and tonic in the Seven Oaks. It could become an adrenaline sport- Extreme Drinking, where the aim of the game is to upset the locals by ordering something other than a pint of mild and seeing if you make it out with your sense of smell! Don't be fooled by the almost Margaret Mackintosh style tree design on the face of the exterior- this is no art school hangout, it's a locals bar in the most local sense. As long as your after real ale in a slightly dirty glass, you'll be fine in the Seven Oaks- and should you be a little peckish at closing time its China Town location is dangerously handy. read more

The Seven Oaks is located in the Chinatown district of Manchester city centre. It is a traditional style of pub, with low key interior décor and a wooden bar enhanced by standing lamps. The Seven Oaks is ideal for football watching, it has two good screens. Real ale is stocked, and food is available but I have not sampled it. When I was in, it was quite quiet, but that may have been because the football being shown was Scottish! Overall, not too bad a pub, particularly for the football. read more

The location of this pub is great. It's right in the middle of Chinatown so after downing a couple of drinks here, it's ideal to go off for a meal in the many restaurants dotted nearby. It's got a good range of beers and wines available and the staff are very friendly, the pub seemed clean and so did the toilets It's an old style sort of pub, nothing trendy here but that is part of it's charm, makes a nice change from the trendy bars that are everywhere these days! read more

I agree with what has been written so far about this pub: it is an old style boozer where people go to have a drink with friends, watch football on the tellies and maybe have some pie and chips. It's on three levels - the gents are accessed downstairs by way of a narrow, almost spiralling staircase; let's say that in terms of modernisation and cleanliness it takes me back a few years (you want character, don't you?). The main pub is on the ground floor and the upstairs room also has a bar, is used for meals and has a couple more big screens. If you're a fan of football then there will almost always be a match on. The staff are great and I've seen them accommodate an auld fella who wanted to watch the cricket by getting it up on one telly for him alone. Sweet. read more

Almost a hidden from the rest of the city by the arms of Chinatown, the Sevon Oaks is possibly the only such boozer in the area. Compact and wedged onto the end Chinatown just before it turns into Moseley Street (although I've love to see Chinatown extended and grow) this was a firm favourite 'when I worked in the area' (seems to be a catch phrase of mine at the momentlook, I've had plenty of jobs right!). Old school charm permeates the interior, with wonderful staff as icing on the cake. Sky TV included (like most places you'll find these days) and a smallish menu (the pies are to be recommended) makes this a fine establishment I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. read more

Went here to watch the Manchester United game a few days ago. Great deals (Bank Holiday special) on drinks with £3 a Carling and £3.50 Estrella. Good size screens to watch the football and traditional furnishings. Toilets are horrible downstairs and it can get pretty crowded. read more

This is a smashing gem of an old school, Rovers-style boozer in the heart of China Town. It's on three levels - the gents are accessed downstairs by way of a narrow, almost spiralling staircase; let's say that in terms of modernisation and cleanliness it takes me back a few years (you want character, don't you?). The main pub is on the ground floor and the upstairs room also has a bar, is used for meals and has a couple more big screens... you will fit in here if you are a football fan! The food is excellent value for money during the week (try Lesley's giant Yorkshires or the pie), atmosphere conversational and pleasant, It's got a good range of beers and wines available and when I have been, they are always served with a smile & light hearted chat! read more

A smashing little gem of a pub slam bang in the middle of Chinatown. Staff are lovely, friendly and attentive. The food is excellent value for money during the week (try Lesley's giant Yorkshires or the pie), atmosphere conversational and pleasant. Great for the game as well, with a real effort noted to try and put unusual treats on like Serie A or the golf. Well worth a bob into. read more

This pub is just okay. Bear in mind, however, that I've only been here when United were playing and each time the sound was absolutely deafening and there were tons of hooligans. It was impossible to find a place to sit down anywhere. The bartenders are real nice though and were usually cute younger girls. It's location in the city centre makes it a good after work place for folks down that way. I probably wouldn't go there if it weren't for my friends who like the place alot. read more

Smashing gem of an old school, Rovers-style boozer in the heart of China Town. Very friendly, lovely staff and cheap food makes this a must visit for me in that part of town. read more

Nice, friendly place to watch a game. Has two screens and three cask ales. Wasn't crowded either time I've been.

Good friendly community pub. close to Chinatown. Operates a membership after 11.00 p.m. but stays open until 7.00 a.m. catering for night workers. Unusual white glazed faience block exterior with wrought iron tree on the Nicholas Street facade. Early 20th C pub that has improved over the last few years. Four real ales of adequate quality: Timothy Taylor, Landlord; Hobgoblin; Cumberland, & Black Sheep but beers change. Has a room upstairs for functions and overflow at busy weekends. Toilets in the basement. Serves excellent pies through the day. read more

One of the few great old school pubs still left in the city centre. They have a great selection of beers on bottle and draught and a fantastic stop off before eating in China Town (and also a nice stop off after eating!). The pub food is great and staff will really will have good laugh with. Fridays can be busy but there is real banter - oh and they show all the football, cricket, rugby and thankfully its NOT one of those faceless bars full of people pretending to be someone. read more