January 2024. Victoria Station. Manchester. Some Universities teach pointless subjects, like philosophy, and French, and football studies. The very best of them run courses on Pub Blog titles, where I learnt you can substitute halt for Holt when you order a pint of Cheetham Hill’s finest. After than disastrous Saturday afternoon in Preston (never mind… Continue reading A HOLT IN THE VICTORIA TAP
Tag: Manchester
“BLAME IT ON THE IMPERIAL STOUT” (NOT A TAYLOR DAYNE TRACK)
November 2023. Heaton Moor. Stockport. Or is it Mauldeth ? Or Lower Burnage ? Or Lesser Didsbury ? Check next year’s GBG to find out. The road from the Bottle to the Beer Shop is paved with very South Manchester sounding bar names. One of the duller 14 minute walks, but The Beer Shop was… Continue reading “BLAME IT ON THE IMPERIAL STOUT” (NOT A TAYLOR DAYNE TRACK)
BOTTLING IT IN HEATON MOOR
November 2023. Heaton Moor. New Mills looked like Winter Wonderland as I waited for the train to Piccadilly. My plan for a quiet Friday evening was a) GBG pub in New Mills-tick, b) elegant dining curry in Ancoats, c) BC Camplight in the Albert Hall. It was all about to go spectacularly wrong, as Saddleworth’s… Continue reading BOTTLING IT IN HEATON MOOR
Blackpool Jane’s Manchester Mission #9 – (Taylor’s Version)
October 2023. Manchester. A trip to Manchester with Mrs RM for a pint, a curry and a book about pubs ? Count me in, Blackpool Jane. Really all you need is Jane’s blog. Read that first. But I’m contractually obliged to give you my own diary extracts, “Taylor’s version” if you like. Hey, where did… Continue reading Blackpool Jane’s Manchester Mission #9 – (Taylor’s Version)
FROM CHINATOWN TO STRETFORD
Some very short posts now, but you’ll get your ten photos, no problem. September 2023. Manchester. A first visit to the Etihad since August, and a first cut at Matt’s new salon in Chinatown. Lovely, spacious salon, great cut, usual duff music choice (joking). Up there on the 3rd floor, just above the Chinese “medicine”… Continue reading FROM CHINATOWN TO STRETFORD
CRAFT v CASK IN THE SANDBAR
September 2023. Manchester. The students are just about to return to Uni, bands will be releasing their “difficult” third albums and touring it round social clubs in University cities though the Fall. I’m still not sure when the Fall starts. Just a day after the five hour drive back from End of the Road (EOTR),… Continue reading CRAFT v CASK IN THE SANDBAR
MANCHESTER – BALLOONS, DRY NOODLES AND PHIL FODEN
August 2023. Manchester. Odd post this, and not just because it’s a trip to Manchester without a beer or a curry. And that’s despite having to spend the night in Stockport due to the last train back to Sheffield leaving before an 8pm kick-off was likely to end given VAR reviews. At least (newly-washed) Baa… Continue reading MANCHESTER – BALLOONS, DRY NOODLES AND PHIL FODEN
SINCLAIRS GETS ITS CASK BACK
June 2023. Manchester. The last day of June, in fact, which means I’ve almost caught up on the blog, worryingly. Last Friday I joined Kentish Paul for a few pubs in Manchester before getting an overdue cut from Matt, whose Helvete studio is about to move into Chinatown behind the Portland Street pub trio. Here’s… Continue reading SINCLAIRS GETS ITS CASK BACK
PORK PIE & DUCHESSE DE BORGOGNE – ARTISANAL FOOD MATCHING AT CASK ANCOATS
6 May 2023. Should have mentioned “Reg”. On the way down from Platform 14 that morning a handsome chap tapped me on the shoulder and said “You are Retired Martin and I claim my pint of Doom Bar“. I had to chase him half way down the steps before he admitted his name. I knew… Continue reading PORK PIE & DUCHESSE DE BORGOGNE – ARTISANAL FOOD MATCHING AT CASK ANCOATS
CASK IS KING AT THE CROWN & KETTLE
6th May 2023. Coronation Day. I’d made a bid mistake, huge, and left myself with three hours before kick-off in Manchester. What on earth can you do in Manchester for three hours before a nervy fixture against Dirty Leeds ? Loads of things, but none you want to read about, so let’s pop in the… Continue reading CASK IS KING AT THE CROWN & KETTLE