retiredmartin

April 2026. Manchester.

A day in central Manchester, the modern bit between St Peters and the Irwell,

with a diversion through Spinninfields (no ta),

and a quick look at the history of Unionism (yes please) in the wonderful People’s History Museum.

We meet Blackpool Jane (why don’t we ever use proper names ?) outside the vibrant Zaap Thai in (Abraham) Lincoln Square,

where we somehow resisted the 3 litre tower of Singha in favour of the diet Coke that comes with the meal deals.

Thai restaurants are pretty consistent around the UK, always have been, but this is both high quality (almost Wrestlers standard), and (off-peak) notably good value.

Time for a beer before the book launch at Beermoth ?

Never seen North Westward Ho busier, no chance of a seat, and we only managed a table in Sam’s Chop House through feminine wile polite manners.

A smart basement bar which I’d somehow never been in before,

and though it hasn’t graced the Beer Guide the Founders was cool and, yes, chewy enough (NBSS 3+).

The restaurant is out the back, so this feels like a grown up drinking space, similar to Sheffield’s Fargate.

A half of Founders and two small bottles of Madri cost £12.80, which would have nearly bought four pints in Tyldesley. Hey ! This is Manchester.

I’m sure Matthew’s guide to Manchester beer will take you to some cheaper places. There’s again pleasing coverage of the north Mancunian towns in a gorgeous publication that I will make another attempt to tick for you.

But I will fail.