![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403552179.jpg)
June 2024. Manchester.
Encroaching on Chris Dyson territory now, with a gig, curry and unexpected new pub in Manchester.
The curry comes on the city’s most unprepossessing street,
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718451965893.png)
Back Piccadilly a bit off-putting to all but the more adventurous of tourists.
But Cafe Marhaba remains the real deal, even more so than the Rice & Three at This & That.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403316221.jpg?w=576)
the lamb and turnip with rotis a spicy joy.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403296011.jpg)
Normally the quietest lane in the Northern Quarter, but now a bustle of activity to my left in what used to be Mother Macs ?
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403386002.jpg)
But surely the new Rat & Pigeon is due to open tomorrow ?
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403346541.jpg)
Who cares ? Perhaps I can gatecrash a “soft opening” or press launch, never done that, and I’m sure an old codger fits their demographic perfectly.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403416858.jpg)
Well, perhaps not, but there’s proper seating and a brown beer under a fiver from Pomona and I don’t think I can beat that.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403440508.jpg)
It’s an odd, sprawling place with what I believe is called “distressed” decor, though as I’ve never been distressed myself I can’t be sure.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403469817.jpg)
Great views back to curry from the top floor,
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403493820.jpg)
intriguing art work reminiscent of the Crown & Kettle, its sister pub,
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403546238.jpg)
and somewhere for everyone to hide.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403608369.jpg)
Lots of pints being drunk by men and women, more often Shindigger than Pomona, but who cares.
Matt, 23 today, visited a day later (convinced he’d beaten me), and had similar thoughts to me.
“Better than Mother Macs”.
![](https://retiredmartin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wp-1718403626030.jpg)
If there are handpumps, old codgers are welcome.
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I thought it would be difficult to get more “distressed” than Mother Macs, but it looks like they’ve managed it!
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I’ve heard similar comments, but despite it being on the route to the Etihad I’d never been ?
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