please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Fine street corner local close to Oxford Road and the University.
Note in particular the fine tiled exterior and the large whiskey barrels above the bar.
Despite noticeable internal alterations and opening out, the pub retains a traditional feel, particularly a small cosy snug at the rear of the pub.
The pub claims to make the best pies in Manchester, a claim I was unable to put to the test on my recent Sunday lunchtime visit.
Despite the 10 handpumps, only 3 beers were on when I visited, of which the Longdendale Lights from the Glossop Brewery went down well. I gather there are usually 5-6 ales on.
The pub offers occasional music nights and is starting a monthly comedy night from November.
The pub is hosting its own Oktoberfest celebrations in October between 21-27 October, featuring German food and an Oompah band.
Not a must visit pub, but well worth making the effort to find when in Manchester
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Now with an outside seating area literally on to of the Medlock. A friendly welcome and the ales were in very good nick with prices were reasoable for this area. Well worth a visit.
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20 of us met in here for a Spurs game at man.city last season from as far afield as Belfast, Newcastle and London. We went in there on a recommendation and it didnt disappoint. Will be back as soon as Spurs are.
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For what used to be a very hit-and-miss affair it's improved vastly. The environment has always been its selling point and, weekends apart, it's always been a comfortable experience but you could be playing Russian roulette with the beers. Not anymore. There's nearly always something adventurous in the real ale line and, if nothing there's to your taste, there are plenty of alternatives. Good selection of whisky, too.
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I criticise this pub on 25th March, and have been back twice since and it is back on track as a superb boozer!
Good range of beers this time, Black Sheep, Deuchers IPA, and Brains Bitter all tried two pints of each and bob on! Star product though Bank Top Mild, fantastic. I don't drink mild normally but had to stay for 3 pints.
Food back on and delicious.
Fantastic to report the pub is back up there and the pubs comments about my march visit appreciated.
Well done "Lass" lads and lasses!
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Lovely pub just off the main stretch in Manchester City centre. Have 10 hand pulls for cask ale. unfortuately only had 3 on Friday and 4 on Saturday. Still the Black Sheep on Sat was very nice and the Vixen wasn't bad on Friday, limited supply apparently caused be deleivery problems while they build the balcony! The Steak and Black Sheep Ale pie was very nice as was the Stilton and Bacon sandwich. Great little pub with a lot of character.
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I have been in this fine pub many times and although I don't drink beer myself, my partner has enjoyed sampling the many varieties & watching all manner of sport on the several screens. The food is splendid and I particularly recommend the 'best bloody pies in Manchester' as they are advertised! And they certainly are! I would say this pub is cosy and quirky with friendly management, customers and staff and one that you could easily spend a few hours chilling in. Also recommend the comedy nights on first Saturdays of the month,which are a night out in itself and are even free! A highly rated pub!
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Basil and myself regularly visit this splendid pub; whilst I am tucking into my gin and food, Basil is checking out the many traditional ales (and probably the bar staff too, the scamp!) and is highly complimentary.
When matches are on, it is a little busy for A Lady such as myself, so I go to lunch at Napoleons whilst Basil does his male bonding thing.
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Beautiful tiled exterior but the interior appears reconstructed:-somewhat reminiscent of 1980's theme pubs except I don't know what the theme is here with sripped back brick walls and strange curtain partitions!!. A ramshackle mass of stools and tables and 'orrible leatherette settee add to the confusion. BUT I am being very picky. The bar area is nice enough and I like the bare wood floorboards throughout. Good range of real ales and I particularly enjoyed "lass" which is presumably brewed on the premises.Steak and ale pie reasonably priced, served in a respectable time and saved my life after a long day of touring around.In spite of my reservations about the interior, this is a good real ale pub with a character of its own, and I think it would be best enjoyed for a session with a couple of mates. I think it appeals to a wide age range :no doubt popular with the students and real ale drinking UMIST alumni of a "certain age" (like me, isn't it!!).
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Hi - Lass O'Gowrie here!
I'm presuming you visited on Bank Holiday Monday, when we took advantage of one of the quietest days of the year (with no offices, University or football) to undertake a deep clean of the kitchen and get some vital maintenance in at the same time - something we clearly can't do at the same time as cook unless we invite the fairies in after midnight....
Ale-wise we were running lower than we would have liked (four were on that day, as opposed to our usual nine) which was purely down to our usual delivery being delayed by 4 days due to the Easter Bank Holidays.
Please feel free to give us a whirl again in the future! Best - the Lass...
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What's happened to the Lass? is it going down hill. As a regular visitor have raved about this place for years but on last few visits, poor range of handpulls (2 max) and food not available (kitchen maintenance, hmm convenient excuse for no staff?)
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Still does not disappoint. A grand chicken, bacon and musroom pie for lunch and bags of choice on the pumps. Lots on too by the look of it including music, comedy nights and an intriging computer club. Add in some very ecclectic art from Karen McBride and vintage arcade machines and we have a winner. Confident, classic and not stuffy with a nice mix of punters! Nice....
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Real Ale! Ade SAlmon art! Bloody tasty pies! Heavenly.....
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Hit and miss pub whenever I have visited. Have been turned away before as pub was full once! Watched a cup final in their once and the atmosphere was electric. Usually plenty of real ales on but quality can be variable. Worth a visit
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On Sunday we randomly walked in on Nintendo heaven! All the old skool consoles, NES, SNES, N64, Game Cube set up in one room with a massive selection of games to choose from, all free. How good is that?! Speaking to the enthusiastic organiser, apparently there are similar Sega & Sony nights planned for future Sundays.
This innovation took my attention away from the pub somewhat. It's clearly geared up for students & has a selection of up to 8 ales, including a very nice Lass O'Gowrie house beer.
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This is still one of the best options on the border between city and university in Manchester. Not what it was, creeping elements of chaindom having blunted its edges, the location still makes it an excellent stopping off point before a chicken kebab at legendary Abdul's south along Oxford Road.
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Actually about 20 years ago they did really good cheese and pate in this pub, not that I remember, somebody told me LOL!!
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OK, OK, my spelling was pretty bad there. However I spell great on a full, satisfied stomach.....
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Yep, don't order the ploughmans! and if you want roast potatos - forget it!
Never again hey J?
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Arghhh, don't order the ploughmans!! Eh Andy? x
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This pub has got even better. Tonight they had at least 9 real ales. Friendly bar staff and good atmosphere. Does anyone remember BIG Ron 'bojangles' Atkinson pulling the first pint 1985ish? John Mon
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Terrific pub with a mixed crowd. Excellent food, and staff with a clear intention of making your visit as enjoyable as possible.
P.S. I hope Tony Wilson gets well soon. If it wasn't for him, we'd never have had Joy Division/New Order and the Happy Mondays.
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Plesant and youthful proper pub with very decent beer range & quality, looks a bit jaded but probably only in comparison with nearby bars
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Saw Tony Wilson in here on Saturday.
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Fantastic basis for a good boozer, just a bit sticky and jaded when I was last there. Needs a good clean. Barman a bit dozy, but it was midnight.
bulky - 30 Jul 2006 22:10 |
Great pub this with its own brewery (which you can actually see) the food is very reasonably priced as well.Aslo Knobhead free.
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Effing smashing atmosphere for the world cup. None of the Engerland yobs, but people from all over the globe. As it should be. Big love!
anonymous - 20 Jun 2006 17:33 |
Beer is often very good here but too many veggies! that's a serious complaint. veggies are really dull!
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Great pub located just around the corner from the BBC. When I worked in Manchester Uni this was a regular haunt. Great choice of cask beers and well kept. Food also very good and reasonably price + sky sport and a small non smoking room. Thanks for many good times!!
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New website now up and running. Check it out at www.thelass.co.uk
anonymous - 24 May 2006 00:30 |
Since my review I have been contacted by Gareth the owner who has taken some of my comments on board regarding the table layout and "veggie" menu. It's good to see pub management that responds quickly to any constructive criticism and with my adverse comments now addressed, another notch up on the rating is very much merited. Hopefully I can return in the not too distant future to get another fix of the Lass Ale.
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I have noticed this pub several times in various Pub Guides and conveniently found myself in the area. Behind the Victorian tiled façade, the pub opens up into a bit of a mixed bag of styles, 3 or 4 rooms all knocked about leaving a mass of beams, pillars and stripped backed brickwork. I found the interior very badly laid out and it was a struggle to reach the bar even though it was not that busy – far too many tables in the immediate bar area. Away from the bar there are several large tables that create bottlenecks and make moving around the pub almost impossible. Good for watching sport – they have multiple screens and also show Prem Plus games. The main draw here is the beers – at least 5 Real ales including their own Lass Ale brewed in their own brewery (I noted Old Speckled Hen, Black Sheep, Green King IPA and Abbots among the other beers but didn’t notice what they do by way of bottled beers). The bar is surrounded by a dozen or so large empty barrels and there are several informative Manchester Heritage pictures on the walls for those interested in the local area. A reasonable menu but strict veggies beware - they include prawn, chicken and tuna dishes in their vegetarian range. Overall a bit disappointing given its reputation but I did not notice any other decent looking pubs on my walk down Oxford Road to the Academy so I am sure I will be using it again some day.
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Just want to say a big thankyou to Landlord Gareth and all his staff for making an already fabulous girlie weekend all the more enjoyable. Whilst stumbling across this pub on a very wet and cold Manchester day we could not have been made to feel more welcome even though there were 21 of us, nothing was too much trouble right down to opening especially for a much needed full english brekkie to a full Sunday Roast the day after. Was like a home from home. Excellent food, excellent service. Would recommend this pub to anyone.
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Went on a girlie weekend for a friends 40th and this was the first pub we went in. The food was excellent and Gareth and his staff were all very friendly and made us feel very welcome. Top Marks!!
anonymous - 13 Mar 2006 12:15 |
Great interior to the pub makes a change from all the modern looking bars that have the same colour charts. Having real ale is a bonus as well. Good pub to watch the footie as it doesn't get overcrowed with drunken hooligans. Can be busy though but not rowdy.
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Great pub - usually half-a-dozen real ales, lively mixed clientele, and although it's not a sports dominated pub it is a good city-centre bet for a lively atmosphere when there's a big match on telly. Home brew beers and lovely tiled exterior.
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I used to go in here afore my International Business Lectures to see the Lecturer have his pre-talk stiffener.
"So today the theory of Trade,...........so,.....Scotland is good at producing whiskey,......so,....Scotland Produces Whiskey,..........Cuba on the other hand produces the most marvellous Rum,.........so,.....Cuba produces Rum,.........oh what wonderful stuff it is,...have you ever had it,.........its the most gorgeous,....Sorry,.....im digressing,..........where was i...............?.........oh yes,.......trade..."
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This is a sound pub, located right by the uni but not too studenty. They're got a good quiz on one night, plus good ale.
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Real victorian gem. This, along with the Marble arch is the best Pub in town. Its a nice refreshing change from all the studenty or chavvy rubbish round about. A grand selection of beers and a nice traditional interior! They dont come much better!
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This pub has to be the best in Manchester. Next to BBC, and a short walk from pretentious loud city centre bars that are a disgrace to the name.
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This pub is truly one of Manchester's finest. Great for watching the football or just popping in for a cheeky half! The staff always look after me and the ale selection is second to none. The chavs can keep their chrome effect style bars!!
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This pub really is up there with the finest in Manchester. A Victorian gem from Manchester's past, the Lass stands nearly alone in a sea of faceless, charcterless style bars and cheap offer-led drinking factories that now predominate in the city. My fave bits include an amazing array of ales (up to 10 at any one time), cosy atmosphere of the non-smoking snug, nice whiskies, lovely staff (don't know how it was a few years ago, but they look after me when I go in), board games and lots of sport on the big screen. Oh and the punters are a nice crowd with no chavs in sight!
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I liked this pub, the food was nice and there was a good selection of good real ales.
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I agree with 'anonymous' about the untrained bar staff, a smile and a please and thank you would be nice. It recently had what I understand is called a sensitive makeover but they took away some of the Lass' charachter from 'LOG' beers below stairs to the hop sacks on the ceiling. Check out the blue plaque on the riverside wall.
Dr Piffy - 12 Oct 2004 10:45 |
One of the very best pubs in Manchester - right up there with the City Arms and the Briton's Protection. Typically four or five real ales to choose from, and constantly changing.
chris - 9 Jan 2004 17:37 |
Its a nice cosy pub, close to Manchester city centre but not too packed out. Good meeting place :o)
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Was enjoying being in the pub with a group of friends. However, the experience was spoiled by how rude and discourteous the staff were. Not the friendliest pub in Manchester by any means....
anonymous - 18 Nov 2003 12:05 |
Miss the "home brewed" stuff and tend to avoid the place in term time due to its proximity to the University.
On the other hand, it's kept its character and old/homely feel while still serving a range of decent beers.
Ironically it's really hard to get a decent pint of Boddingtons in Manchester these days
Chris - 8 Oct 2003 15:28 |
Used to the best beer in town when they brewed their own but they don't anymore. Still pretty good for ale though.
Nick - 8 Oct 2003 12:42 |
good real ale
anonymous - 23 Sep 2003 15:14 |
Draught real ales are usually on form and varying. You may get a beer you have not had before in here. Is much improved from how it used to be when their house produced beers 'LOG 38 ' & 'LOG 42' , I think they were called, were quite thin and of poor quality. Apparently they have re-formulated them now, though on my 2 visits over the Christmas period, no house beers were on. Are they still brewing them? Does anybody know?
frank - 4 Mar 2003 20:22 |
It's a bit dark and dingy. Always packed. Decent beers though.
Nige - 4 Feb 2003 13:32 |
The "World Famous" Lass O'Gowrie is a proper, traditional style establishment slap bang in the centre of Manchester. It's not huge, but it's never crammed to bursting either. A decent selection of real ales is always available, including Black Sheep, and there are usually a bunch of guest ales too. There's some kind of microbrewery thing downstairs, too, but I don't know if it still works.
Chris - 28 Jan 2003 19:48 |
