please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The caveman is probably the pub landlord. A very aggressive individual from Portsmouth who doesn't know the difference between real ale and keg bitter. The toilets are filthy, the carpet is so old it sticks to the floor and the furniture looks like it was found in a skip. I wouldn't advise drinking anything on draught as the pumps are rarely cleaned. The one good thing i can say about this pub is if you like heavy metal/rock the jukebox is great. They do have a live band on Thursdays, some are better than others. There is a severe shortage of rock pubs outside of my native Nottingham and that is why people tolerate places like this. The staff are rude, the locals are unfriendly and the place has a very hostile atmosphere. If the health inspectors ever pay a visit this place will be closed down.
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I used to be a regular in this place during the Jillys day when it was amazing but it has gone majorly downhill since then. I only go in every now and again nowadays usually before or after gigs, but the past 2 times i've been in i've had terrible experiences. The first was when one of the bar staff was extremely rude to me for no reason at all and the 2nd was on a weeknight when I went in with someone after a gig and what I can only describe as a caveman of a customer assaulted the person I was with over a disagreement about music, there was no security staff to help and all the bar staff stood there watching while I had to try and break it up and got hurt in the process, we were eventually helped by another customer. Apparently the caveman is a regular so they had no intention of throwing this person our or barring them, or helping when the police arrived. GC is one big clique and if they dont know you, they don't like you. I wouldn't go in there again if my life depended on it.
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No "apparently" about it, there *are* live bands going on every Thursday at Grand Central and it *is* free entry.
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Definitely not a dart board or food served (not that I noticed anyway). Definitely got busier since Jilly's closed, good atmosphere, alright jukebox (got all your traditional rock n metal on there... wouldn't mind it updated a bit though) really welcoming - there were all sorts of folk in there. Good prices, good reputation and the staff were nice when I needed directions. This place also has live music on Thursday nights apparently, only been to it once but it was busy & FREE ENTRY?! It's supporting the local scene & really community feeling in there. Reasonable prices and good choice of beer. Loved it.
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There isn't a dartboard, as far as I know
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p.s... there is a dartboard?!?! where?
Leora - 20 Jun 2008 17:34 |
Love GC... been goin for about 5 years religiously. Has gone downhill abit since the smoking ban.. but it's still a top nice.. even if the beer does taste like piss!
Top people, top place.
Leora - 20 Jun 2008 17:33 |
This pub does get packed during the evenings - Especially weekends before Rock World/Rock Kitchen opens and on Thursdays on when they have 2-3 fantastic bands on for the low price of naff all
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I went in one afternoon for a pint and liked this pub, albeit it was mainly due to the jukebox, it was fairly quiet though, but it must get more packed in the evening.
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Erm... Perfectpike - translation please.
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Rock & Metal music surely rates at least one decent pub in city centre Manchester.
This could be the one.....
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They've took the punk off the jukey-which to me is a pity -cos loud should be loud...but i'll listen to the rest with my strongbow,as per usual
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Along with "The Lass" one of my 1st impresions of MAN (will move 2MAN next week from Germany). There was more of a (non-)smoking prob 4me (being a regular chain smoking Kraut) than anything else ;o) Must say I (6ft3) felt safer inside with what someone's apperently labeled "ape-like" than in front of the place (me chain smoking of course) on a SAT night - with the "normal" 9265956 'I-had-25-Bacardi-Breezers-&-therefore-hate-everybody's- guts' passer-bys. Here bouncers of help - who would have thought that?! ;o) The staff/regulars seem to be a very nice folk & have a cool taste of music (as long as UR into metal, of course - please do something about the sound system)... No one looking funnily @people4 looking like just having made it from their aunty's birthday - quite unusual in comparison 2 other places, def a plus. Admittedly quite a "slow show" 4 real ale throats but the pentagram in my Guinness together with full throttle "Bloody Roots" was definitely unbeatable - who needs a "shame rock" (Pun!!! Not anti-Irish!!!) anyway ;o)))
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I love GC, I do.
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Upon a second visit, i recinde my previous comments. Louder Jukebox, and a better atmos. Still could do with at least one real ale tho.
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No real ale, juke box very low, especially considering it is meant to be a rock pub and just no soul to the place.
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"The cranial capacity and ape-like nature of the expected clientele". Now now Bensonby, must you assume that all the clientele are so very "ape-like", I am a regular and I am educated to degree level. I am also starting my masters in September. How "ape-like" is that? Also my husband is a regular and he has a degree in computing. Therefore, your opinions are VERY untrue.
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I used to drink in Grand Central regularly at one time, then stopped going in when they started having a few "idiot" problems. Ventured back in a couple of weeks ago with some friends, and couldn't wait to leave. The atmosphere was oppressive, the attitude of all-but-one of the bar staff was appalling, and the attitude of some of the clientelle was a bit of a shock - what used to be a great friendly pub has started to turn into a scrum.
I'm afraid to say it may be some time until I go back to the GC. :-(
anonymous - 27 Feb 2007 15:10 |
bensonby - If there's anyone ignorant here it's you:
1. The bouncers aren't on all the time, only at late evenings and they are there to stop chavs coming in, starting fights and making themselves look like the idiots they truely are.
2. A large portion of the customers are heavy metal fans and for you to say we're "the great unwashed" is the most stupid comment I have ever heard and a great unfounded generalisation about something you know nothing about - Try calling the locals that and see what you get.
3. The reason the GC is so crowded is because the clieantelle are friendly, the beer is decent and the staff are great at what they do.
If you really want to comment on a pub, be there for more than 5 minutes and find out if your assumptions correct first.
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What a ghastly place. Whilst advertising upon its sign that it "is one of Manchester's finest old ale houses" there is not a drop of real beer in sight. A fantastic old early nineteenth century building has been converted into a horrid barn for the great unwashed where they can sup on foul tastless fizz. The cranial capacity and ape-like nature of the expected clientele is made clear by the fact that they need doormen, and by the posters at the entrance strictly laying down the rules of the establishment. (As if I didn't know how to have a quiet pint. One really wonders why it is so crowded, it is but a stone's throw form the Lass O Gowrie, the Peveril of the Peak or the Britons Protection, heck, you can even get a decent pint directly behind it at the Salisbury. What a pity, a fine old building, a classic example of 18/19th century hope and develipment degraded to some hell-hole for the ignorant to indulge their alcoholism
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Being in manchester last weekend, and being told nothing but good things about this pub, also accompanied by one fella (jackrum who commented below) who'd enjoyed it before, i couldn't decline. Spent parts of friday, saturday, and sunday in there. Very good pub. Drinks are fairly priced, bar staff are polite and friendly enough, and very quick when it comes to serving. pool table too, always good. which takes us to the jukebox. its a good one, most of the CDs in there i enjoy, only been to a few pubs with jukeboxes like that. highly recommended pub. If i'm in manchester again soon i'll definitely pop in. alas, i'm in essex.
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had a great time in the Gc on friday and saturday... rammed though..
Will again be popping in next time i am tup narth...
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I'd like to point out that I didn't mean the staff were snobbish, what I meant was some people might not be liked.
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An excellent pub, a good crowd and some excellent beer and tunes on the jukebox... Staff are generally snobbish with people they don't like... Go figure.
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The bar staff are generally fantastic, though a few are a little snobbish. Clientelle not the best, a few morons, but never the less a fantastic atmosphere and a great place to visit before Jillys on a Friday and Saturday night.
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An amanzin pub a good place to go with ya mates or even meet new ones, good music, good beer, good pub
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Grand Central is my favourite pub in Manchester and i visit EVERY time i go! Great staff, great people, great music, great prices, great drinks, sexy as hell barmaids!
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nice pub and friendly staff. but what happened to that drop dead gorgeous bar lad Matt? did he run away to start a modelling career?
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Good, good fun. The only decent jukebox in town, and Hairy Dave... two great reasons to go!
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top one, metal gig was great
anonymous - 30 May 2005 20:53 |
why thank you josh, you are not so bad yourself!
look out for upcoming gigs at GC from some of the nastiest metal on the scene....
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EVA ROCKS!
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Hailing from essex, its way too much of a treck to go regularly.
seeing as i spent my 21st in manchester, planning on Jillys rock world for the friday, this pub is over the road.
Fantastic jukebox full of excellent music.
The fact that the place serves Jagermeister (which none of the pubs i have gone to down south sell) is a true blessing.
Great cocktail list which had my mates in fits at some of the names.
Bar staff were attentive friendly and competant.
When i am next in Manchester i will be drinking there again.
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HEY, EVA HERE! LATEST UPDATES- NEW DRESS CODE POLICY TO CONSISTENTLY EXCLUDE SCALLYS, KEEP CHECKING THE JUKEBOX FOR UPDATES (REQUEST IT IF YOU CANT SEE IT, WE AIM TO PLEASE!).
I HAVE TAKEN OVER GC AS LICENCEE, AND WANT TO KEEP RUNNING A TIGHT SHIP. ANY COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS/COMPLAINTS WILL BE LISTENED TO AND ACTED UPON WHERE APPROPRIATE.
GIGS TELEPHONE- 07841075322 ( I KEEP LOSING MY PHONE!)
WANT TO WORK HERE? C.V. WITH PHOTO- I WILL PUT YOU ON MY LIST!
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK, KEEP IT COMING!
(AND 'FAT ROY'- JIMMY PAIGE IS STILL DEAD!)
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The only pub in central Manchester where I automatically buy Strongbow & put on some tunes on the jukey which are LOUD,LOUD,LOUD!!....The Angel is the Nottingham equivalent.....Nice to get away from the usual pub formula!
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Always come back to this place...great atmosphere. Clientele are generally interlinked which means for a familiar evening. Staff are great and really friendly. Not too hard going on the drinks side either. My favorite pub in Manchester, always the first point of call on a night out, and in some cases - the only point of call. Depends on how abundant the supply of sambuca is really...
Dukebox is fantastic, shame the other pool table had to go but it's looking good from the refurbishment last year. Eva...hire me...
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The Salisbury is my choice because it's my local. I don't mind popping my head around the GC's door though. Staff are cool. General cliantelle on a Friday night poor though....generally all the people who have been barred from The Salisbury.
Suzi - 18 Nov 2004 21:07 |
Typical range of 'inner city' drinks although they are better locked after now since a new management was established (2-3 years ago). The bar staff are friendly although some poor guy gets picked on who they call 'Fat Roy' (possibley a private joke) The cider is a great pint and at a decent prince (for inner city anyway). Good juke box, mixed range of clientele but a good atmosphere in general. Worth popping into, it's better than the majority of bars in Manchester
mac boswell - 11 Nov 2004 14:52 |
top pub,good juke box, could sit in here all day with sadie thompkins getting inebriated listening to my favourite tunes.
jay - 9 Oct 2004 21:09 |
And there's the Salisbury behind it too... Excellent pub, great beer and half the people who go in GC go there...
metal beer drinker - 16 Aug 2004 15:45 |
I can't help thinking that if you're in the MMU the *only* place to drink is the MMU bar. Cheap as chips with big screen TV and pool tables! Even us old-timers try to get in every once in a while for a cheap night... Hang on, perhaps that's why you don't want to go there! Shazbot!
Nige - 27 Jul 2004 23:12 |
Grand Central is one of the few actual pubs on this stretch of Oxford Road. The music in the jukebox is a nice change from the usual pap played in this part of Manchester. The beer prices are reasonable and the decor is a HUGE improvement on the old style (it's not dingy anymore). We spend each lunchtime in here as it is a stones from the MMU science building and we start the nights here as the clientle and bar staff are friendly and cool people.
Daniel - 27 Jul 2004 14:52 |
smashing night out. nice beers, great music- i love rock! good gigs and bizarre staff!
bob smith - 15 May 2004 05:46 |
only bin in once, but i think il b goin in again.good music, cheap drinks, wat more do u want!
brommers - 14 May 2004 14:56 |
best pub in manchester! Wait no in the world!kool pub all the music you want an the gigs like everette! rock on!
greg cassidy - 14 May 2004 14:54 |
gigs for free! great atmosphere, nice beers, tidy, clean bar and crazy staff! i love it!!!
anonymous - 3 May 2004 19:39 |
GC...guess its like a second home to be honest
Kelsoei - 29 Apr 2004 09:17 |
I hear (The) Interruptions are playing. Definately worth going, and not just for that.
Paul - 20 Apr 2004 13:09 |
GC is the place to be! best music, best drinks, best people! i love it to bits! its my second home!
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F****** class pub! Best place to go if you're into Metal of all kinds, jukebox rules, beer is a good price and the cocktails rawk!
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fancy new look
anonymous - 17 Mar 2004 12:46 |
GC rocks out ppl... and the coctails are to die for! *tip- if you order the "sweeties" cocktail REMEMBER ITS ALCOHOL!!!*
Jay - 8 Mar 2004 19:23 |
great music, weird staff, fun atmosphere, good beer offers, live bands cool.
mark - 2 Mar 2004 20:19 |
GRAND CENTRAL RE OPENED ON 12TH DECEMBER AFTER AN EXTENSIVE REFURB. THE TOILETS ARE NOW FINE, THE PLACE HAS CENTRAL HEATING AND DECENT DECOR. THE STAFF ARE STILL GREAT, THE JUKEBOX KEEPS GETTING MORE COOL AND AS THE GRAFITTI ON THE WINDOW SAYS, IT IS STILL METAL! THE PRICES ARE GOOD, THE BEER IS MUCH BETTER (NEW LINES) AND THERE IS STILL LIVE MUSIC. THE NEW CONTACT NUMBER FOR GIGS IS 07780540747
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Good jukebox, wish the beer was to that standard...
Rick - 2 Feb 2004 23:40 |
pantera on the jukebox must anymore be said!!
bert - 19 Dec 2003 11:43 |
I luv it in the GC! its the place be for anyone who likes good music! regular gigs and great staff!!!!!
Gorak - 17 Dec 2003 21:40 |
Well good, dirt cheap in more ways than one, but seriously who likes sambuka!
kris - 30 Oct 2003 15:10 |
The Salisbury's box caters for Punk/Metal and Alt. too, has done for years.
Luke - 20 Oct 2003 23:25 |
cool, very relaxed atmosphere, i like the staff, and the musics tip top.loos stink but,dont they all.
emma - 14 Oct 2003 19:56 |
the jukebox caters for punk metal and alternative. they got regular live bands and djs on a monday and thursday. see bands for free! new contact number is 07929093084
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played there with quiet keiths great response wanna play there again, great staff great beer great entertainment
keith walker - 22 Sep 2003 09:19 |
The jukebox isn't as good as the Salisbury (they have no proper metal on it - only Motorhead and Faith No More), decent pub tho'
Luke - 10 May 2003 12:58 |
Nice bar staff and friendly doorman. Go get drunk in there!
Matt - 9 May 2003 20:51 |
this pub ROCKS. Eva rules and the music is great! perfect place to start off before jillys and kickback after college with a sambuka
baby bagel - 30 Apr 2003 04:37 |
One of the best jukeboxes in Manchester, cheap spirits, though the quality of the beer needs increasing
Ronnie R - 24 Apr 2003 16:06 |
Perfect riot played there
riot fan - 11 Apr 2003 09:15 |
played a gig there. mad fun.
dave - 31 Mar 2003 14:31 |
This pub is open in the daytime, from 11am
Luke - 8 Feb 2003 22:01 |
This pub is only open evenings, if at all.
Nige - 12 Nov 2002 12:11 |
My mate Rob saw Muhammed Ali through the window of this pub, leaving the Palace Hotel
Joe - 9 Apr 2002 14:50 |
