retiredmartin

June 2024. Manchester.

Another week, another midweek trip to Manchester for a gig and this time a successful attempt to get Matt’s record player going again.

And it works ! “Master of Puppets” never sounded so good, says Emma.

I leave their Piccadilly flat with 3 hours till my gig at YES, time enough for 3 more ticks in the great Manchester Beer Book.

And a bit of street art.

Ok, not my finest capture, but the trinity of boozers along Portland Street are very picturesque, and having ticked the Old Monkey last month it’s time for the Circus.

I reckon your best bet for a seat here is on New Year’s Day when Manchester is in hangover mode. Today the landlord guides me away from the City memorabilia,towards a seat in the corner of the front room.

“Space for a little one ?” I ask.

It’s the United room, isn’t it.

Oh no. A lively conversation is happening between United fans and a Chelsea supporter, mostly about Klopp, 115, and the lack of a City pub in town because we’ve no fans.

I keep quiet, enjoy a decent pint of Wainwright, and chat with a lady called Jackie who it transpires is NOT on holiday with Graham the Chelsea fan.

They’re on honeymoon ! They love northern pubs, “best in the world”. The United fan tells them the Old Monkey doesn’t do Guinness.

And that’s why Americans love our pubs, the unexpected turn of conversation, the awkward silence, the invite to stay with them in Florida. It’s impossible to stay out of the conversation in the Circus, and believe me, I’ve seen people try it.

I wished the newly-weds a long and happy marriage, and headed towards St Peters.