I'm pretty sure I'd be here every weekend if I lived in this part of Manchester…read more Port Street Beer House is an unassuming little pub with a fantastic (and massive) list of brews, both local and international. Service is friendly and efficient, and even the stronger stuff on the menu won't set you back too much: a pint of most beers will run £4-5. I grabbed a pint of a super-fresh saison from Blackjack (a Manchester-based brewery) and enjoyed it in the small-ish garden out back. The only drawbacks? It get can very packed---and it's cash only.

Port Street should be high on any lover of craft beers hit list, whether living in Manchester or…read morejust in town visiting it's perfect place to pop in for 1 or 2 (and see what their amazing list of guest beers is offering this week) or spend a long afternoon in warmth working your way through their extensive range while catching up with friends. That extensive list includes around 20 beers on tap, with at least 100 bottles on offer - mainly sourced from some of the finest USA, UK and Scandinavian breweries around. Prices are fairly high but no more than you'd pay in any other city for the same craft beer - it is though always worth checking the price (and strength) before you order a pint of that rare, one barrel produced collaboration between 2 of your favourite breweries - it could be time to get a new mortgage! There's a large lounge room upstairs and beer garden out the back with ample seating for around 40. Capacity is one problem with this place and it can get very very busy at the weekends so try to get in early or go offpeak. Don't miss out on their regular "meet the brewers" nights on a Monday evening. What usually starts off as a civilised tasting of a few very good beers turns into a bit of a Monday night session - something that's no good for anyone. These monthly events have been known to make Tuesday's very hard work in the past :-) They also run nearby Common and Chorlton's The Beagle - plus Indy Man Beer con so make sure you check these out to complete the full set!

We tempted fate on Saturday walking to Chorlton from our house 4 miles away and got drenched in the…read moreprocess. This leads to one of the best things about Marble Beerhouse. It seemed so warm and welcoming as we walked up, wood fired pizza being cooked outside (which they put on fairly regularly at least through the colder months) so dinner was sorted. We walked in and there was the pleasant buzz of people chatting. No music to try and cut through or talk over and it was a nice mix of young and old, trendy and beer nerd. It is certainly fairly representative of the Chorlton community as well. There is a good mix of table sizes around the bar so couples don't need to cram with larger groups etc. and towards the rear there are a couple of snug type spaces, two larger tables in a sort of alcove and a few couches in the corner with a coffee table and a bookshelf of board games. They always have between 2/3 and 3/4 of the taps running their own beers with a few guest keg and cask always on offer. The beer is kept very well and usually something for everyone. The bar staff is often happy to have a chat as well if they aren't too busy. On this occasion I had a quick chat with another Aussie, Tony about how long he's been here and whether he is enjoying England. Definitely if you're looking for a decent local in Chorlton this would be one of my picks and it will continue to be a regular stop on my Chorlton trips.

Marble Beerhouse would be where I'd bring my Dad to have a relaxed pint or two of an evening (if he…read morewas much of a drinker, that is) - sure there's Marble Arch but more often than not it's rammed in there. This place is far less rackety and perfect for a quietish drink at the start or end of a night. I love the dark wood-panelled walls with large display cabinet of Marble's beers past and present. There's a decent amount of seating inside, with tables towards the front and back of the bar and a comfy curved bench along the back side wall underneath the skylights. There's also table seating outside for the rare occasion that it's warm enough. You can pretty much get all of their beers either on draught or in bottles, along with some guest ales. The fridges are filled with other brewers' offerings and they have a selection of single malt whiskies if you wanted a night cap. As Marble is one of my favourite local breweries, the Beerhouse is by default one of my favourite spots.

Excellent choice of beers. Too many for one pint of each or having to walk home. Jever on draught -…read morea German dark lager, previously drunk in Hamburg. Lovely food to suit everyone (apart from diabetics but that's just like everywhere else). Used to be my go to pub when in Stockport, now the George (Higson's) and the Union (Robinson's) have closed.

Quite simply, The Magnet is one of the best pubs I've ever been to and deservedly is a venue that…read moreis well known all over Manchester and the North of England. Being in Stockport, a 10 minute train journey from Manchester Piccadilly and 5 minutes walk from the station, it's a favourite amongst locals and commuters alike who take advantage of the sprawling bars, low prices and an atmosphere akin to 80's sitcom Cheers. As much as I'm not a barfly on the grand scale of Norm or Cliff, it really does seem to be a place where everybody knows your name and with a friendly and no nonsense approach from the bar staff, The Magnet is a pub where the local rockers and Goths (who circulate near the pool table and kick ass jukebox) rub shoulders with the blue-rinse brigade and the football supporting workman enjoys a laugh with the ale loving hipster. Special mention needs to go to their incredible range of beers, with around 20 on tap at all time (local, UK craft and speciality international) and a bottle fridge that just screams "drink me". If you're used to paying Manchester city centre prices then the Magnet will prove a welcome respite from £5 pints and with all beers priced according to strength, you can pretty much save money and the need to reach for the paracetamol the next day if you really wish to! If the sun is shining then you'll find me on their multi-levelled beer garden terrace and if you're in on a Monday evening, their cheese night is definitely not to be missed - all you need to do is buy a drink and join the queue for what has to be the best idea this side of a dairy farm. While in Stockport, why not check out The Crown and the recently refurbed Hope Inn. Both are great, traditional British boozers and with a 10 minute walk between all 3, you have a readymade pub crawl all ready to go!

Located just at the end (or start) of the Deansgate, the pub is two steps away from Hilton and…read moreDeanstage tram station. The atmosphere is great: the place has a character, emphasised by various posters on the wall. The food is really good, I especially love how they serve wedges in a red tin mug. Additionally, portions are normally more than generous. Price-wise, most burgers are priced between 10-12 pounds, small plates are under 7 pounds. There is a balcony area upstairs, for those who want some fresh air. They have a huge selection of beers and ales. I mean, huge! They also do hot drinks, such as my favourite mocha, which also comes with a cookie;)

I have to say that I am highly impressed :)…read more Being a tour guide for the day, to my Yorkshire friend I contemplated where to take him after a trip to the museum. Sitting in Spinning Fields he said "Pub grub!" So whipping out my trusty Yelp app, the Knott was the closest. Arriving my curiosity was peeked..and like everywhere it was filled with Sunday diners. Stealthily we grabbed a table and poured over the menu. To most people Sunday dinner for a tenner could be considered a little expensive in comparison to the likes of Witherspoon. But the add on feature was fantastic, for £2 extra you could choose a starter or dessert.. So for £12 for a starter and main I was impressed, especially when I saw what food was coming out! Settling on a prawn starter and veggie roast dinner I trotted to the bar. Wow...I thought I'd died and gone to beer heaven. Lots to choose from, from deadly ale, craft beers , strawberry beer, cider...and a million other things. Despite its busyness staff were attentive, polite and helpful recommending beverages Returning to the table with beers in hand, it was not long before our food arrived. I smelled the garlic way before I even saw the prawns, they were fantastically flavoured and guaranteed to keep the vampires away. These devoured, the great Yorkshire pudding mountain appeared, looming over a veggie nut roast and tasty parsnips and broccoli...supported by roasties..the quality and price put a smile on my face. My friend had the soup and sandwich deal for £10 and everything looked fresh and vibrant. All three of us were impressed by the quality for such a great price, the choice of beer and that rustic atmosphere.. I will come again for a Sunday roast at least .

Another Stockport hidden gem…read more.. A great little local, sitting tucked underneath the huge viaduct, across the street from the Pineapple Inn. The area has nothing to go for it. A blacksmith, a kwik fit, car parks and main roads... but step in and you'll find a warm and friendly atmosphere, mainly dominated by the local workers. It has a great selection of 15+ guest beers on tap and a few good bottles too. It serves pork pies and sausage rolls (I'm telling you this was the 11th and final pub stop, these dirty pies and rolls saved the day !) and has a jukebox with proper Brit classics on. The staff is always friendly and prices are very reasonable. Definitely on my Stockport's must go addresses.

Fabulous fabulous fabulous great pub brilliant ales amazing food…read more Been in the grove for a long time

Avoid. Amazing beer, terrible, rude, and agreessive staff. Actually read through the reviews and…read moreevery bad review is about how terrible the staff is. One of the bartenders has his not mentally there brother handing out insults to customers and when you say anything back they become aggressive and out there hands round your neck, and kick you out when you've conveniently paid for a fresh pint. Avoid this place as much as possible!

Another day another discovery of a fine Manchester institution that I really should have checked…read moreout before! You see Bar Fringe has always been on my hit list of places to go, it's just that it's a tiny bit too far from my usual walking NQ pattern (2 mins from Stevenson square) and I forget to pop up there! It's a great little bar with something that really speaks of an old era of pubs - it's nice as well that in this part of the town it hasn't been turned into a crappy bar like the Northern was or it's not a sawdust joint where all the local rummys like to hang out in... I'm sure you know the places! A diverse clientele of patrons of all ages and a pretty relaxed and unthreatening place to hang out. I can't really give it more than 3 stars unfortunately as I though the beer on pump selection was a bit 'old mannish' with just general bitters and some Belgian beers/lagers on - there wasn't really much for an IPA head like myself. Overall a nice little pub to stop by for one, if I'm on Ancoats or heading to Band on the Wall again then I'll probably pop in but it's not up there in my top 5 of beery places to hang out in the city!

You can't get a more traditional looking pub than the Beech. Heck, it even reminds me of the…read moreboozers knocking about where I grew up in the countryside. But as for the story these days, this breathtakingly rural pub is certainly in transition. I won't be quite as cruel as my Chorltonian friends and call it 'a shadow of its former self', but I will say that it needs to move forward. Issues including certain beers running out, lack of particular spirits and general emptiness all plague a pub in which a necessary refurbishment and redecoration has been attempted. Despite friendly bar staff and a pleasant atmosphere, something just isn't working. At its best though, the Beech is something unique in Chorlton with its array of trendy, quirky new bars. It's a real ale pub with an old-worldly atmosphere, and when all is well, there are plenty of cask ales to try. The folk music and song sessions have proved very popular and match its cosy, snug ambience perfectly, and there's always a warm welcome. Do keep supporting it, because it certainly needs it in these tough times.

Stopped off here for a pint in the huge beer garden on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Pints of Estrella…read morewere a bit pricey at £4 but they were cold and refreshing. The selection of ales was pretty good although I didn't sample any - including one from Bradford-based Salamander Brewery which are one of my favourites. I saw a lot of people eating hotdogs from the Parlour Dogs popup in the beer garden. They looked delicious and probably not bad value at around £5 each. While this place isn't top of my list for rushing back, it's a solid option on Beech Road.

Waaaaaaaay back, a few Yelpers and I did the old rail ale trail, and were met with a gloriously…read moresunny bit in the afternoon. At this point we exited the train, and made our way through some really rather rowdy crowds of lads, to this delightful pub. I'd read the reviews before, and you know what it's like - you see five stars and you're expectations are lifted. Well, allow them to be, as this place is a real treat. On a bank holiday it might not be the best time to visit, being as there will be men arriving in droves, swigging lager (why? it's an ALE trail!) and singing loud songs in the carriage and at the bar, at any one singled out person. (On this trip their mood was jovial, as all the guys were singing at their friend who was on the phone, "he's texting his boyfriend", to the tune of the White Stripes. And then anyone who was using their phone. Including some old guy in his 80s. But he seemed cool with it.) As such, there was less of a chance to soak it in, but this is the picture. As soon as you're off the train, you'll find yourself in a wonderfully picturesque part of Yorkshire. There's a wee stream running nearby, trees, birds, gorgeous old stone houses, and this pub two seconds away. Having glanced at the photos, it looks like you can expect more than pub grub to be served, although we'd not a chance to indulge. As for beer, expect a really great range of ales for the supping, amongst bottles, lagers, and the usual. Then there's a lovely bit of a beer garden out the front and the back - plenty of seating for outdoor pintage. The staff were jovial, considering they were being plundered by almost half of Yorkshire, and the pub itself has great character. In essence, this one's worth a revisit or five. I'm ready to ale trail again, just thinking about it.

Great meal here after finishing a walk in Marsden. Steak and ale pie with their own ale (it's a…read morebrewery tap pub) served with well prepared vegetables and superb chunky chips. Very friendly staff. The kitchen missed the order on the desserts which resulted in a bit of a delay. However, the staff were very apologetic and gave us the desserts and coffees free which was more than fair. Dark chocolate terrine was splendid. My friend had an equally impressive creme brûlée with dark chocolate sorbet. Highly recommended.