“LOOK. IT’S YOU !”

January 2024. Chorley.

We had to cancel our trip to Jordan on Thursday. Well, didn’t have to, but it seemed a bit risky after we realised that Jordan was a country in the Middle East rather than a suburb of Cannock.

Never mind, Chorley shares two letters with Jordan, and was only 20 degrees colder as we put our alternative holiday plans into place.

Yes, a return to the micropub capital of Lancashire barely a fortnight after the last visit saw Riley’s opening unexpectedly delayed by events.

Mrs RM hadn’t been for awhile, and was delighted to reacquaint herself with Chorley’s quiet charms.

The market and micros are the highlight of a town lacking any real tourists sights apart from the Mormon church dominating the skyline as you pass on the M61.

But we found a new gem in this plain looking street behind the plain town hall;

adding to a dazzling run of 37 straight 5* reviews for “Time for Mezze” and their lovely young staff (again).

A huge deli plate of chicken or cauliflower (nor Colin) with 3 salads, houmous and fluffy breads, for a tenner.

The decent non-alcoholic beer from Big Drop, too.

Mrs RM has taken to trying the low/no ABV options of late, but I reverted to proper beer in Riley’s,

whose interior is classy if not cosy, and a sea of reserved signs confirm the afterwork booking that await.

Another small pub with high quality sound, the Jefferson Airplane (second on successive days) playing at that sweet spot between “too quiet for Shazam” and “too loud to talk“.

Loads of places like this in Chorlton create a circuit that welcomes young and old, tickers and bottle sharers.

Couldn’t fault it, from a chewy Beartown Smores (3.5) to a quality Americano to the immaculate loos.

“Oooh, it’s you !” said Mrs RM, as my little image popped up on the Untappd vidi-printer on the big screen.

She’s so easily impressed these days.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

14 thoughts on ““LOOK. IT’S YOU !””

      1. My only problem with Chorley is that I don’t live nearer. For a town of its size it has a fascinating selection of bars/pubs.
        Thanks for the heads up on the food place too, it’s on my list now. I use Bees Country Kitchen usually and work my way across the town.

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      3. A year ago I visited Chorley to tick two new small bars, and didn’t even notice Riley’s walking the town. There must be getting on for a dozen worthwhile pubs within 5 minutes walk from the station.

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  2. You’re getting the hang of this Untappd stuff now, before long you’ll be badge chasing and downloading stats on what beers you’ve drunk and where 😉

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  3. “It’s you!”

    I’m not used to those screens in micros. I was looking at the wrong line, where it said, “aged, intense, smooth” and I thought, “ah, how sweet.”

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  4. Love Chorley. It seems to me a new pub opens every six months there now. Like you I’m still trying to get the hang of Untapped but it’s very useful for finding what beers are on and where.

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