recommendations for Manchester and Liverpool

Going to be staying in Chester next week. Planning to visit Manchester and Liverpool while I'm there. Taking GBG, but are there any pubs in these cities that I shouldn't miss? Need to be easy to get to be foot or public transport from main train stations.

Cheers, Michael

Going to be staying in Chester next week. Planning to visit Manchester and Liverpool while I'm there. Taking GBG, but are there any pubs in these cities that I shouldn't miss? Need to be easy to get to be foot or public transport from main train stations.

Cheers, Michael

Going to be staying in Chester next week. Planning to visit Manchester and Liverpool while I'm there. Taking GBG, but are there any pubs in these cities that I shouldn't miss? Need to be easy to get to be foot or public transport from main train stations.

Cheers, Michael

What about Chester? There are actually some great pubs there too.

Agreed - a few of my favourites - The Union Vaults, Egerton Street, The Harkers Arms, 1, Russell St, The Mill Hotel, Milton Street, The Bear and Billet, 94, Lower Bridge St,

Can't comment on Manchester, but Liverpool - Lion Tavern Ship & Mitre, Dr Duncan's (for the mosaic floor especially), The Belvedere, Peter Kavanaghs, Everyman Bar (esp for a late one incl good food, if microwaved), Philharmonic (the famous Gents stink of p*** & last time I was there had a new non-original feature of 'heroin chic' blue neon lighting - classy! - the place itself is amazing though), with regard to the conversation below about the GBG having odd somewhat rough places in it, for fun, you should pop in to the Swan (Wood St) - really good beer (Wobbly Bob, mmmm!) & a mad old rock/emo/metallers/dropouts/characters pub. Oh & I forgot Ye Cracke - another top slightly mad old place. Let us know what you think? cheers MikeMcG

There are plenty of great pubs in Manchester City Centre.

My top 3 are Peveril of the Peak and Britons Protection - both very close to each other and 2' walk from Oxford Road Station.

But if you only have time for one make it the Marble Arch on Rochdale Road - it's a 5-10' walk from Victoria Station or 10-15 from Piccadilly. It's a classic.

JohnB

Forgot to say - search at....

For reviews of these 3 (and others) as well as directions/maps etc.

JohnB

I totally agree with the above recommendations.

The Marble Arch is certainly a 'must visit' pub, with curious barrel vaulting and a disconcertingly sloping floor (even when you're stone cold sober!)

Also worth looking at are Sinclairs Oyster Bar (Sam Smiths - beer still well under £2!), which has been physically moved at least twice to fit in with shopping developments, The Jolly Angler, Ducie St (Hydes) - seemingly unchanged for 50+years, and the Grey Horse and Circus Tavern in Piccadilly (Hydes and Tetleys respectively), the latter being unfeasibly small.

But that really is only the tip of the iceberg for good Manky pubs.

Holt's brewery tap, the Derby (Brewery) Arms, up Cheetham Hill Road from Victoria (10 min walk but seems longer as it's just a long march) used to sell the cheapest beer in the country. Please report back.

Should also say that the Marble has excellent food too - so plan to eat there.

It is by no means a food dominated pub though the beer and its quality is of prime importance.

JohnB

And on the way up Rochdale rd is what used to be the beer hall - now the Angel. 3 quality small locally brewed beers, ( Grindleton, I think) perfectly kept at my last visit, end of July.

And, John, both you and I have forgotten to mention that the Marble Arch brew their own beer. And some of them are truly unforgettable. I don't know of a microbrewery that brews so many good beers.

Ahh yes - too much Marble Ginger methinks :-)

JohnB

In article , mk writes

Pity you're not going the week after:

Wirral CAMRA Octoberfest at Pacific Rd Theatre, Birkenhead (5 min from Hamilton Square station), 23 to 25 Sep.

Ship and Mitre's alternative Oktoberfest: German beer and British cider fest, 29 Oct to 2 Nov, Ship and Mitre, Dale St, Liverpool.

Pubs you shouldn't miss in Liverpool - these are all within ten minutes walk of each other:

Ship and Mitre, Dale St White Star, Mathew St Dispensary, Renshaw St (not been here a while) Fly in the Loaf, Hardman St Dr Duncan's, St John's Lane

The Head of Steam at Lime St Stn can be very variable but maybe worth a shot if you have a few minutes to kill before going for your train. Last time I went in they had four guests on pump and the one I tried was ok (can't remember what it was, but it was expensive).

If you find yourself in Birkenhead, try the Stork in Price St.

Hi Mike, the Birkenhead festival is 23-25 October [the original poster was here in September]

Good tips though for others not familiar with Liverpool.

In article , Jim Brittin writes

Whoops. You're quite right, I blame it on my advancing years. Nothing to do with an excess of good beer, oh no. Thanks for the correction :)