November 2026. Swinton. Greater Manchester. 12 minutes out from Manchester Victoria lies Swinton in the city of Salford. Wiki says “Historically in Lancashire, for centuries Swinton was a hamlet in the township of Worsley, parish of Eccles and hundred of Salfordshire (a clearly made-up place)“. An unheralded town of 22,931 souls, notable for Holt boozers,… Continue reading SINGALONGA SWINTON
Tag: Manchester
A HOP THROUGH THE HEATONS
October 2026. Greater Manchester. In Manchester for a cut and a curry before my first trip to the Etihad in ages. The city is setting up the Christmas markets, but it’s naturally beautiful. I’ve had two pints of Holt Bitter, and however alluring the OBB in Sinclairs seems I know a double espresso in Cafe… Continue reading A HOP THROUGH THE HEATONS
MANCHESTER’S HARE & HOUNDS. THE PERFECT PLACE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REGISTER A DEATH
October 2026. Manchester. From Romiley I take the picturesque route through Reddish Vale to Manchester, where I’m getting pre-funeral hair cut from Matt. Dad’s funeral is all-consuming, and on Friday afternoon I’m still waiting for the Medical Examiner to call to confirm cause of death so I can register the death. That call comes as… Continue reading MANCHESTER’S HARE & HOUNDS. THE PERFECT PLACE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REGISTER A DEATH
“Meet me at the Piccadilly Tap”
September 2026. Manchester. Early September is always an odd time for this #PubMan, with the new Good Beer Guide about to drop* (ugh), a recovery period after the annual music festival down in Dorset, and the change in the weather putting elderly parents at increased risk. While I spent 4 days walking between stages either… Continue reading “Meet me at the Piccadilly Tap”
STILL NO REAL ALE AT THE ETIHAD
August 2026. Manchester. Your traditional contractually obligated “first game at the Etihad” post you’ve no interest in. AFC Bournemouth at a traditional time, too, 2pm on a Sunday. The August fixture traditionally finds me scrabbling around for “new and shiny” pubs, having long ago completed the Greater Manchester section of the GBG. And there are… Continue reading STILL NO REAL ALE AT THE ETIHAD
HELLO STOCKPORT, GOODBYE PEP
May 2026. Stockport. Back from Romania, we dashed off to Stockport the next morning to help Matt and Emma with their move from central Manchester (Emma’s Dad had already done the hard yards) to Heaton Norris. Just look at the stress on Matt’s face on the Magnet’s balcony; Yes, we turned up just in time… Continue reading HELLO STOCKPORT, GOODBYE PEP
TAKE THE FIRST GUIDED BUS TO TYLDESLEY
April (finally !) 2026. Manchester to Tyldesley. You learn a lot about the UK transport networks as a pub ticker. Some towns stand out as tough to tick, particularly the string of mining towns without a railway station between Manchester and Wigan. Thanks a bunch, Mr Beeching. But this very week celebrates a decade of… Continue reading TAKE THE FIRST GUIDED BUS TO TYLDESLEY
PORT STREET, TONY’S PIES AND A POINT
January 2026. Manchester. A “dry” night in Manchester isn’t complete without a second pint on the way to the match, Port Street Beer House getting its annual visit on the basis you can see it from the Head of Steam. I really should like PSBH more; it’s quirky, friendly, encourages a mixed crowd, and the… Continue reading PORT STREET, TONY’S PIES AND A POINT
NEW IN MANCHESTER. THE HEAD OF STEAM
January 2025. Manchester. Wednesday brings a train from Rye to Ashford, and then to St Pancras (no pub stop), on to Sheffield (where the boiler has frozen), and off to Manchester for City v Brighton, whose fans have had a similar journey. I’m also here for an overdue cut from Matt in Chinatown’s Helvete, during… Continue reading NEW IN MANCHESTER. THE HEAD OF STEAM
STEELFISH BREWERY – COME FOR THE HAZY PALE, COME FOR THE COB
December 2025. Manchester. Walking back from the City v Hammers match I got a text from Matthew; “Fancy a beer ?“, which is exactly the sort of thing you hope a child will grow up to ask you. Quosh had recommended a new brewery tap under the Piccadilly arches (“ANOTHER one ?“), only a 5… Continue reading STEELFISH BREWERY – COME FOR THE HAZY PALE, COME FOR THE COB
