My penultimate Greater Manchester tick came in Standish, a place I’ve always mentally put in Lancashire (don’t start, Mudgie).
Hoot Standish (presumably there’ll be a branch in Hooton soon) sounds very micro in the description, but with 3 major advantages over the usual Herne franchise.
1) It sells lager, so everyone feels comfortable, rather than excluded. You’ll see folk below and above the usual 50-65 age range here, some with bobble hats. Ever seen a bobble hat in Herne ?
2) Though small,there’s a good mix of seating so you can hide away with your Ale Cry and not feel obliged to talk about other new micros or how dreadful Spoons are.
3) Pies and cheese. Not your usual feeble micro effort but a full cabinet of the things, full of calorific goodness.
I loved it. Cheery barmaid, decent Silver Tally from up the road, owls in the ceiling, blankets for the cold, Randy Crawford on the stereo (guess the song).
Only one more Greater Manc tick. Ashton-in-Makerfield here I come !
Bet there was some ‘owling when that handpump was inserted. I think I best go now.
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If that’s Russ, you’re banned. If it’s Dave, that is brilliant.
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Twas TheWickingMan.
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So, a brilliant ban then? 🙂
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Not tempted by a pint of Prosecco then?
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Only for breakfast.
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That Randy Crawford song ?
As the owl will never sing – ” One day I’ll fly away. ”
Now I feel such a Twit Twoo.
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Are those clouds in pic #4 light fittings, or just random clouds?
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Light fittings. I did ask. Weird
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Been there with my sister who lives nearby. They’d disagree with you about it being Manchester. I observed very keen detail to beer care and I had several very nice pints, mostly local breweries. Good night out.
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If not Gtr Manchester, where would you suggest I stick it ?
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Lancashire – like most things in the WN postcode.
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I was being a bit facetious ! I always refer to the Beer Guide groupings, outside that I’d say Manchester, Wigan etc is Lancs and Stockport is Cheshire.
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Wigan is Wigan, wanting to be a second rate Manchester as much as Manchester wants to be a second rate London.
Except I’ll take pie shops over street food any time of the day.
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Wigan is a first rate Wigan One of my favourite towns. Good micro pubs but the trad places are top.
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Yes, it is just a pity you have to share all the great pubs and micros with Wiganers.
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Hey mate the Pie eaters beat us in the cup 2 years in a row and I still like them ! Did they kill your cate ?
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You would stick it with Wigan 3 miles down the road which is fiercely in Lancashire….(I know you Know Martin ;-)) Despite passing this place every day going to work I`ve never fancied it – it used to be a take-away where once I got the sheeite`s from.
I take it you mean The Caledonian in A-i-M ? Now that is a proper pub !
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I do, and yes it looks great ! (5pm opener)
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Manchester is a third rate Wigan. London is a fifth rate Luton.
Were there butter pies? If not the place should be exterminated. Everywhere in the area of Preston, Bolton and Wigan should have butter pies.
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This…
I’ve never got over when Slattery’s stopped doing them. But there is always Galloways before a train to anywhere.
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Galloways is the place that does “Pie in a Barm”.Legends.
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Not sure. People who live there think they live in Wigan (pronounced WiginExcellent article wIth some considered commentary. A couple of Sunday’s ago I was dragged to Monks cross shopping centre, it was heaving, despite there being numerous outlets, you couldn’t get a seat anywhere in a coffee house. At 3.30 I was deposited outside my local (the busiest of three in our village). Guess what, exactly the self same faces from 20 years ago, depleted to a dozen at most, and there was a football match on. Disposable income doesn’t really come into play, it’s an affluent area. Modern cafe bar, less than a mile away – you couldn’t get in the door. Whether we like it or not, people just don’t want to go to the traditional boozer anymore.). Never heard anyone say they live in Manchester. I’m not sure what Greater Manchester’s meant to be, apart from a land grab for most of east Lancashire?
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Looks good. Pie, cheese and beer meets all requirements. Oddly this is the one I need in GM. Ashton is a cracker to complete on though.
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Just remembered Hoot opens all day but only from Wednesday. I love it when proper old pubs like the Caledonian get in. The Spoons there no longer GBG I think) had an ambitious range on too !
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You should have gone across the road to Noel Chadwicks and ask to see the kill floor
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I forgot to mention a bit of trivia – it is called The Hoot because of the owl depicted in the Standish coat of arms… In fact there`s a dining pub not far away called The Owls. zzzzz
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Thanks Michael, did wonder if it was linked to a coat of arms in some way or a Wednesday fan !
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“owls in the ceiling”
Well of course. That’s where they roost innit? 😉
“Sensible headgear”
If it’s below freezing, yes. If it’s raining, no. 🙂
And was that your beer at the high table? I thought you were against them (or was that someone else)?
Cheers
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I’m against high tables, but they gave the best view of the ceiling.
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