please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Closed - future uncertain.
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Visited on a Saturday evening in August. Had done a few of the Salford pubs on a previous crawl and wanted to expand on our second crawl. A bit of a trek from Deansgate but decided to start at the one furthest away and work our way back.
9 pumps at the bar, 6 were on. Had a pint of Water Melon Wheat Beer by Se7en Brothers, reasonably priced at £3.
Definitely an interesting pub which I suspect has a number of local loyal regulars, but we were not made to feel unwelcome. It does have a certain "rough and ready" charm about it, and is probably the kind of place you could spend hours people watching.
I would happily go again.
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10 pumps, 8 on a Wednesday, which ain't bad. Mainly pale as with far too many pubs, but the slightly foxed was good. Curry served earlier, but I was too late to try. Worth a visit,
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As I entered this pub I was greeted by a wet dog smell so it put me off having food. On the beer front it was very good especially the black jack beer that is brewed especially for the pub. I'd say it's a bit rough and ready and needs a clean up but overall it's not a bad pub.
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Love this pub. I know it's had its ups & downs; I'm not a local, but I always try & get there on my Manchester visits - every year or two - and I've never been disappointed. They used to have a brilliant fruit machine which I always made a profit on (and I'm not an expert - I'm sorry to everyone who lost the money that I won back!). But now it's just beer, beer, beer (and maybe a few ciders) - plus a great atmosphere, excellent music etc. Haven't been since 2013, must get back this year!
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What a belting ale-house this is (my fave pub for last 20years),great crowd of locals,its like groundhog day every time i go in,but its all the better for it.....the ever changing beers are kept to perfection,and the whisky shelf is second to none...could do with a bit of a tidy-up but that might ruin the atmos!!!
kippo - 19 Sep 2013 12:16 |
This pub is fantastic ,a must visit for all !Was in there last night with some pals ,great ales on and a tasty bird behind the bar ,who helped the ale go down
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looks pretty grotty from the outside and to be honest, it's a bit spit and sawdust inside too but all the better for it. loads of hand pumped real ales on offer, so much so that i couldn't make up my mind. spent a convivial hour there and my son, who now lives round the corner, says he's going to make it his local.
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Nipped in here for 1 after completing leg of Irwell Valley Way (Bury to Salford) - great pint, wish I could have stayed for more but had Kings Arms to squeeze in before malt whisky fest at Palace Hotel, Manchester...
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I've been drinking here for 12 years, on and off. I was a bit narked the other week, on ordering my usual Thatcher's scrumpy, and a pint of soda water. i was charged �1.60 for the water, which seemed a bit harsh. Especially when a pint of soda and black is only 80p.
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Although the young barmaid was absolutely stunning.
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Came here on Saturday evening for the punk festival. Music and bands were great. Shame they only had two handpumps on. Ended up on German wheatbeer Scheiderweiss if I'm not mistaken. It looks a bit shabby compared to how it used to be.
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Looks pretty uninviting from the outside, a good beer choice and welcoming atmosphere awaits inside. 8? I think beers on offer. Handy for Salford Crescent station. Good mix of students and locals.
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This is an amazing pub steeped in history opposite salford university. It is close to the crescent station(.5m) and salford central (.5m) Staff were helpfull and friendly and the decor seems to have been uplifted in recent months .Customers were of an academic range between lecturers/students and well read locals ,all seeming to mix in together really well. Landlords choice at �2 was excellent ,so to was the Crescent hop ! A definite "must go"destination !This pub is really fantastic ,allbeit not for poseurs ! A number of the legal profession seem to make it there quite frequently for a little lubrication on the way home from work .It is also frequented by the local police (stn just a walk away)which sums up the standard of beer served .
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This is a nice historic pub with good selection of ales. It could do with a lick of paint and better seating. However, my main gripe with this pub is the staff and level of service. They aren't particularly friendly or welcoming. The bloke who served us failed to say hello, please or thanks. Instead he mumbled through the entire transaction. Really don't undestand why he is employed in the service industry! Staff need to realize that serving behind a bar isn't just about pulling pints and operating the till......not if they want a loyal customer base at any rate!!
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Despite its outward appearance, this is a decent pub inside. 9 handpumps, of which 8 were in use when we visited. Well worth a visit!
alexw - 13 May 2011 18:38 |
With a great deal of persuasion, i once again entered this pub after a two year break. Back then standards were very low and the beer was rather poor, in fact undrinkable at times.
I am pleased to say that the place has been cleaned, a lot of the crappy furniture has been replaced or refurbished. Ales on offer were mostly weak and pale, the Empire microbrewery featuring prominently. Tried a couple of them, they were drinkable but hardly inspiring. Prices were competitive though, which is always welcome in these difficult times.
Definitely improving, however the beer selection has to be far more imaginative for me to return again!
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The Cres is back to its best following a change in management.
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This is one of the best new pubs I have been to for a while and will get a 9/10 from me. Following on from the New Oxford down the road, the Crescent had just as good a beer range and a more traditional atmosphere. This could be the perfect place to relax for the evening working your way through the beers or, in my case, the ciders. Ales dispensed during my Sunday evening visit were Moorhouses Black Cat & Urban Myth, Box Steam Steam Porter, 3B's Doff Cocker & Pinch Noggin', Salopian Firkin Freezing, Green Mill Wheat Beer and Empire Cherry Chocolate. 3 ciders and a perry were on - Saxon Gold Digger & Brown Sugar, Gwynt y Ddraig Farmhouse Cider and Westons Country Perry. Look forward to returning some day.
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What a difference new management can make ! This pub is now back on top of it's game Steve Wise and Rob Sewell are showing great enthusiasm reviving this awesome pub! This is now top of the list for anyone who enjoys good ale in an ambient area together with free live music most weekends! Needs a lick of paint ,but woo don't change much it's brilliant ! Free chip barns on Mondays together with quiz night and the famous curry night on Wednesdays,Fridays are usually bouncing !
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Was in the cres last night !! absolutely fantastic (as usual) Great beer ,atmosphere,friendly customers and bar staff ! This is definitely one of the finest real ale pubs around ,half a mile from the crescent/salford stations ! Get to the crescent you wont be disappointed its areal gem .Now on facebook ,unbelievable !!!
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A few years ago when the liverpudian and italian couple had it, it was very good. The chicken madras with half rice half chips was superb. Unfortunately the new occupiers have got rid of the old jukebox which had a wide range of rock and metal material. Also a slightly different layout with the wall seating now removed.
The real ale is either good or totally shit, there is no in between!
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This place looks massive from the outside, it isnt.
It was like going back in time. Its a PROPER pub!
Nice enough though
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Very busy when we called in earlier this week, and a good buzz of conversation was a little drowned by the music, but what an excellent choice of ales on. We managed to get a table and enjoyed Brew House Falling Leaves, Hornbeam Dancer, Shaws Cascade, and Greenmill Crescent Festival Ale. All in good condition and the food being brought out by the very busy friendly barman was good value and smelt good. Unfortunately we had eaten, but would try the food next visit. Interesting items of decor arounfd the pub.
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Visited the Crescent for a second glimpse on Saturday and a vast improvement. 2 very good ales from Mallinson's tried - the mild was in particularly excellant. Beer choice again looked good though bar the house beer (Mallinsons Crecent Hop) all the beers on were "darkies".
Majority of the customers in were drinking the cider I did notice.
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Went in to this amazing pub on saturday night,fabulous heavy metal group incassum were belting it out large,great beer to we were drinking a delicious IPA and the crescent hop !This pub is seriously good and well worth a visit ! Go there by train/bus and stay the night,manchester city centre is but a stroll together with the other chapel street pubs ,makes for a great evening
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Oh, ye gods, I feel nostalgic.
Does anyone visiting this site remember me...?
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students are back and so is the food at this wonderfull pub,had a delicious greek salad and the other half had a homemade beefburger/salad and chips,allfor a tenner! The guiness was on great form (probably best in manchester)so stayed for a couple of hours and did a friday night gallon !This is magnificent pub with great cheap food ,fabulous beer and buckets of atmosphere! Dont change a thing ! Deep joy !
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If you enjoy cask beer (cant buy that in the supermarket)good atmosphere in a traditional old pub with wood floors,juke box, and abroad friendly mix of people then this is the place for you. This is the best pub in manchester ,cheap to .Someone told me they are goin to start doin takeouts soon which is wonderfull
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Just called in for a quick pint on my way back to work. You should see the selection of beers on offer, place is a real drinkers pub, nothing too flash but a good selection of drinks and very reasonable prices. According to the staff they have live music on most fridays and saturdays, local bands which is good to hear. No entry free just buy plenty of drinks and support the up and coming groups! Beer garden at the back and plenty of parking but then you can't drive so get the bus or the train as they are both close by! I will next time.............
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Get in to the cres this week , summer beer festival August 10th -16th, loads of ales to try !! In there for a short time last night and it was busy with a lecturers birthday party,all havin a go at the selection of cask and bottled beers on offer! fed up i could nt stay as had to go home to the dragon !
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What a refreshing change whilst most pubs are closing down due to lack of customers, it's nice to see one open with qaulity beer,staff and live music. Friendly staff nothing too much trouble, big board listing all the bottled beers and guest beers. Kitchen is closed for refurb at the moment but there is a fab pie machine which smells great when you walk in. Well done The Crescent we had a really nice night out and enjoyed the company. For those of you smokers there's tables and chairs at the back! Thanks again! We will be in for the beer festival which starts on Monday.
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Just been in the Crescent and sampled a few guest beers, try Deep Dark Secret, rich flavour, smooth and goes down a treat! Tried another one called Sun Deck and washed it down with one of their tasty pies from the pie machine! Cheap too! Pub was busy, mainly men enjoying the great ales on offer from this pub. Pub has a new music room, has had a makeover and now has tables outside at the back. Well worth a visit. Also noticed there is a beer festival on from Monday so will be going back next week for more!!!!!!!!!
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What a fantastic pub, don't read the bad reviews below until you've been in yourself!! Great atmosphere, busy with people sampling the vast number of beers on sale. Tried the Betwixed Hazy Days, good flavour and not too potent! Don't leave without trying the Pictish Sterling, you won't find anything better than this! Wash it down with a meat & potato pie or two and you are sure to return to see what else they have on offer. So what if you see drunken people on the steps, at least they are having fun!!
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Called in last friday and the place was packed ! Free live music every weekend and fantastic real ale make this a truly wonderfull place to visit .Furnishings on the tired side,but so what !This is what real ale pubs are about,ambience in abundance,great juke box ,friendly staff and a pie machine! call in you will not be disappointed ,new outdoor smokin areaas well as paint job. Well done the cres !
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Always call into this pub when in Salford, and at the beginning of May we found that the beer choice was good. We had 4 beers new to us and they were OK so not sure about previous comments. Would go again when in the area.
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Well I must agree with alot of the previous comments. What a let down. Had heard so many good things about this place for along time, yet never had the chance to visit until last Friday.
The beer choice was good looking, but was not well kept (tried 4 different halves). The pub was busy and did notice the majority of the customers were either drinking Budvar or the cask cider.
Will return for a second glimpse at some point.....
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Oh dear. This pub was a major let-down. Dirty, run-down and an unpleasant chemical smell in the air. I counted five hand pumps. I had a pint of Pacific from the local Bazen Brewery which was not good. Snippets of punk classics were being blasted out in a room next door (in preparation for a disco?)
After reading the reviews on this site I was rather looking forward to visiting this place but the simple fact is that it is a dump.
There were some unsavoury looking people sitting on the steps outside as we left.
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Just got back from a few days in the area and I wasn't impressed with the beers or the service, or lack of. Apparently there was a beer festival on but apart from the CAMRA flags you wouldn't have guessed. Good selection of bottles sadly let down by the lacklustre selection of cask beers, not in particularly good condition. The only member of staff seemed uninterested to the point of being offhand or even rude. Such a pity for a pub with the history that this one has. One can only hope that this was a temporary aberation and that it will improve over time. Nice new paintwork outside though.
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Great selection of well kept ales, generally sourced from lesser known microbreweries. About 10 or so available last weekend and real Cider on draught too. Close to Salford uni and only a short walk from central Manchester.
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been in this place a couple of times. always a good array of real ales, well kept and not too pricey. decor looks like doss - house meets early bubonic, but beers excellent. i also warmed my bum agianst the same fire as dr marx!! (and for a sociology graduate that's about as close to heaven as you can get)
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Brilliant pub that continues to excel. Large array of cask ales spread over two rooms. Sadly the horse sized dog that used to live here has passed away but nothing much else has changed since the upheaval a few months ago when the pubs future was in doubt. Mixed clientele, real fire, frequently changing ales, all well kept. What more do you want from a pub?
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Thank God it's survived. This fabled emporium of Marx & Engles is now a haven in this underwhelming area near Salford University. Popular with students and real ale fans, it looks grim from the outside, but give it a go. you won't be disappinted. In terms of the decor and layout it's best described as 'eclectic', and I hate that word. Several rooms though. About 6-8 ales to choose from, many from microbreweries. Only a 15 minute walk from Manchester city centre.
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Looks a little run down from the outside, and the inside come to think of it, but it is the friendly atmosphere and good beer that stand this pub apart. Good cheap homecooked food also available.
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Historic pub. Good beers, nice interior.
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one of the best pubs still in manchester to visit if your in the area..or should i say salford..now with the oxford and the kings arms its worth the bus ride up and the walk down again.does a good selection of cider and all is written on the blackboard on both sides...excellent juke box and good service..the bus stops are right out side the pub...
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This is a pub I always read rave reviews for and thought I would never visit, but this year we made it and what a great place. Excellent choice of well kept beers.
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Echo yamato's comments - a great range of good quality beers in a friendly, atmospheric pub. Might not look much from the outside but well worth a visit.
About 5 mins walk from Salford Crescent station (along A6 toward Manchester).
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The Crescent lives on! This tremendous pub is back to
the top of its game. All the elements are there, great
beer, friendly staff and authentic surroundings that
create a lively atmosphere. This is the type of pub
that all others should aspire to. Keep up the good work.
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Interesting choice of beers, decent, real food and a welcoming coal fire. Well worth a visit.
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Nothing since the end of July... Has everybody stopped caring?
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Good News
It appears that the pub is to be kept as a pub with new owners from mid August. If it is,it hopefully still be one of the best pubs in the country for beer and atmospher in the whole country.
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I can't comment on the 2007 Crescent, not having seen the pub for well over a decade, but I do have many memories of all sorts. Being the 'Colin' mentioned in a previous review, I wouldn't mind a pound for every pint that I pulled during more than two years behind the Crescent's bars.
Almost opposite the University... an end-of-shift stroll from the main police station... surrounded by all manner of workplaces... close to the heart of working-class Salford... From tax inspectors to taxi drivers - literally, in both cases - the clientele probably represented the most mixed bunch one could ever want to find.
The bill of fare, equally eclectic, drew custom from throughout Lancashire; I recall one pair of young couples who travelled every Saturday evening from Preston, Bolton or somewhere equally remote (and well-served with pubs), simply for the ever-changing delights chalked upon the blackboard. I still remember vividly the ladies' ire at my allowing their beaux to round off one visit with the over-potent Enoch's Hammer, rendering them useless for their traditional end to a Saturday night out...
How long ago was this? Well, our Joseph Holt's bitter was considered expensive by some, at 74p per pint. Today, my 'local' (in, admittedly, the outskirts of pricey Croydon) charges more than three times that for its cheapest beer. The times, they have a-changed.
I suspect that most of my '87-89 regulars will have moved on; one or two, I know, have passed on. Some were friends, more were acquaintances, a very few were merely tolerated. I miss them all, of course, because I miss the Colin that was. To borrow a line, I was a barman, once, and young...
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R.I.P. !!!!!!
I went in last Friday 06.07.07 and it was looking worrying - You can tell the guys have left! Then went in earlier this week and it's heart breaking..........
I really hope this can be turned around!
I fear it won't though!
At least one staff member has moved to The Marble Arch - A very fine pub and all the better for quality staff from the Crescent!
A very sad time at the moment!
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The pubs present tenants Idy and Sal are leaving this weekend. The new tenant takes over from Monday next. Hopefully the pub will continue to flourish under the new management although only time will tell.
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I really hope this pub survives. The sheer range and quality of the ales on offer make it well worth the detour from Central Manchester.
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I lived in an apartment at the old hospital (The Royal) very near to The Crescent for a number of years and fell in love with this place!
Don't be put of by the scruffy looking exterior, or interior for that matter....
This is a very friendly pub with a fantastic atmosphere.
In fact next week I will be visiting my very most favourite pub with the most beautiful girl in Manchester, who just over a year ago I went to said pub with and spent the night drinking and soaking up the atmosphere. We finally staggered up the crescent and made it to Peel park where in the early hours we played on the swings.
Smiling now writing this!
If I had the �750,000 it is for sale for - It would be mine!
I dare a developer buy this!
SAVE THE CRESCENT!
Andrew.
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Fantastic place, will be a disaster if it goes down the pan! A real classic with great beers, friendly staff and patrons and reasonably priced. Looks awful from teh outside, but worth many a return visit. The beer festivals they run are great too!
Legend has it that Karl Marx used to drink here...
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Can't believe they want to re-develop this pub(ruin), selling our heritage down the pan. Despite its forbidding exterior a wonderful pub, friendly and great beer.
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Excellent range of well-kept ales and selection of mainland European beers. Efficient service. Excellent value, home-cooked food. A gem! My second home while a student at the nearby university.
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The most honest boozer I've been in for a long while, proper drinkers pub.
Big range of lesser known ales which were very good. Clearly not been decorated in years and all the better for it - beer 'garden' is also quality.
Food looked excellent, though I didn't have more than a couple of the excellent sandwiches on the bar.
Would recommend this place as a top boozer to while away a couple of hours
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A superb range of excellent beers at a good price, a superb pub.
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The Salford Uni lecturers cheated at the pub quiz. (1996).
Unique atmosphere, good beer. Fabolous pub
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A real old fashioned drinkers' boozer, peculiar shaped bar which seems like to separate bars from the entrances but linked around the back. Slightly bohemian feel to the place but friendly and certainly not pretentious or "trendy". Ten (I think) ales on handpump, a good range, the Bazen's Black Pig (which I think is always on) was superb. Prices mostly around �2 a pint depending on strength, filled rolls at around �1.20 each were tasty. Only downside is the traffic thundering past on the A6 immediately outside; it's around halfway between Salford Crescent and Central rail stations on the southern side of a very busy dual carriageway.
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real drinkers pub, very cheap and good range of very well kept beer.
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Delirium, 20 years? More like 150. Before it was called The Crescent, it was The Red Dragon and the favourite haunt of Frederick Engles and Karl Marx. It was also the first pub in the UK to be granted a 24 hour drinking licence; but I don't think it's ever been used.
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Must have been going in the Crescent for nearly 20 years now and it has risen to new heights. Anybody remember the old days with Jo, Andy and Matthew...Debbie, Zippy and Colin behind the bar?
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Excellent pub, a long walk or short train ride from the City centre.
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One of the few reasons why visiting Manc isn't a complete and utter waste of time.
This is a proper drinkers pub; lots of well kept bitters, milds & ales; plus good czech and belgian largers for those who prefer their booze fizzy. The staff are friendly as are the punters, the food is ok but cheap and soaks up the beer well enough.
All in all, a proper old school pub of the like you don't see enough of any more. Definitely worth a visit if you like your beer.
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Went one Saturday, no food on and we were starving. Mate went out and brought chips back. Asked to leave.
Good beer, vast selection of lagers. Bolshie staff.
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This is probably one of the best pubs I've been to. I often wondering in for a quick drink on the way into town for a night out and ended up staying all night.
I haven't tried the food but the selection of ales is excellent and they change every two weeks.
Very smokey, but a good atmosphere and everyone is very friendly and you can talk to pretty much anyone in there.
Very nice jukebox with 70s and 80s rock on it mostly.
I'm currently in London for a year and I am suffering withdrawal symptoms for this pub.
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The Crescent is the best pub for beer, food and atmosphere that i have known in nearly 30 years of visiting pubs.The Monday night "Blue Elephant" quiz is one of the most up to date and topical that I have ever done and goes down well with all the hardened Crescent quizzers.It must be 10/10 for both pub and quiz
William - 21 Oct 2004 22:43 |
easily the best pub i have been in on my trip to pommieland great choice of beers it was great to try the german stuff as we dont get that in aus. this pub is highly recommended. it was good to relax in a pub that wasnt full of galahs and 2 pot screamers like a lot of the pubs in downtown manchester.
james stoker - 30 Aug 2004 17:08 |
a great, great pub, and my local when at college. a great mix of people, great beer, old bar billiards, pork scratchings and used to have a wonderful 60s jukebox.
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Great pub, great beer. All food is good and unpretentious but curries are especially good.
Frances - 13 May 2004 18:37 |
one of the best pubs in the country if you cant find a beer u like in here i would advise you to go teetotal. good draught beers. also good selection of german beers including the excellent krombacher one of the first pubs in manchester to sell german beers.
fat dog - 12 Apr 2004 12:57 |
The Crescent is a brilliant pub. Everyone is made to feel welcome. The curries on a wednesday are fantastic (served 6-8 i think. something like that)i'm going for one tonight (weekly ritual now). It is also reasonable prices for really good beer.
It is most definitely worth a visit. *****
Lisa - 11 Feb 2004 10:57 |
The crescent serves Excelent curries on wensday eve till 8pm approx 3 meat & 3 vege
The beers include roosters Special
and Erdinger on handpump (A german wheat beer )and also a varying berguim beer on draught
Its ther only pub that I rate as my local ...
Id rate it as 11 out of 10 but i am biased (:-0)
Alban Pearce - 17 Jan 2004 11:28 |
Worth seeking out, is well used by students, cask ale lovers and old men alike. Offer a good range of draught beers. Wooden floors, worth positioning yourself on a bar stool and watching the atmosphere.
frank - 26 Dec 2003 13:44 |
The Crescent (on The Crescent, close to Salford University) has now been in the Good Beer Guide for a lot longer than 10 years. It features 10 or 11 cask ales at all times, plus real cider and interesting bottled beers from the Continent. And it has regular mini festivals when over 30 ales can be sampled.
Bill - 2 Oct 2003 15:08 |
