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BITE user comments - macboswell

Comments by macboswell

The Royal Oak Hotel, Didsbury

The Royal Oak has been a mixed bag over the years, various landlords/ladies coming and going have affected quality of ale, but I'm pleased to say that in it's current incarnation the beer is top notch and a wide selection (for this size of pub) of ale is on offer. The staff are efficient and knowledgable, punters respectful and well manners, and the beer is well priced, especially for the area. Tremendous.

3 Dec 2015 16:23

The Salisbury, Manchester

WHat a difference a bit of time makes. Now serving relatively well kept ale at competitive prices (they couldn't ignore us for much longer). Still becomes crowded and sweaty but in general, improvements have been made all-around.

22 Nov 2012 15:35

The Sun in September, Manchester

Excellent pub Sam Smith's pub. Well kept beer, friendly staff, very good value (£1.80 pp) and situated within a quick walk from decent public transport links. Highly recommended.

22 Nov 2012 15:20

The Dog and Partridge, Didsbury

Set in the heart of Didsbury, this smelly ancient boozer is one of the original pubs that used to welcome travellers using the old Didsbury station. The decor (I imagine) hasn't changed much, but it could do with a scrub. The beer is hit and miss, sometimes excellent, sometimes poor, the price is always high.

Packed at the weekends and dead in the week, the nights tick over but the majority of their trade must come on a weekend, especially considering the huge TV (sports) which is perminantly on.

Worth a visit, but not to often.

21 May 2012 16:59

Sandbar, Manchester

Oh dear, how things change over the course of a couple of years.

The beer's exceptionally poor, the prices are extortionate, some staff are, ignorant, politically extreme and/or aggressive, it stinks of grease, it's dank, sweaty, the toilets are fucked and it relies purely on it's location for trade.

But if you like that kind of thing...

21 May 2012 16:43

The Lass O'Gowrie, Manchester

Unfortunately, I've noticed a steady decline (over the past 2 years) in the quality of the beer kept in this famous old boozer. The prices have gone up, and the quality has come down, which is a tragic shame considering things seemed to be on the up (the beer was never that good in the past). Their beer, all of it, can be summed up in one tidy little word: tired. A tired flat pint, served by tired looking staff in a run-down hovel.

So it's back to square one I'm afraid, and back to the original stance; avoid this filth until they've sorted their cellar out.

21 May 2012 16:33

The City Arms, Manchester

Traditional ol-time boozer, jam packed with a good mix of locals, foreigners, students, old timers, the working class, middle class and those with no class. Great pint, although expensive, and well worth checkin out. It's a shame it feels a bit like a tourist attraction though.

21 May 2012 16:20

Bar Fringe, Manchester

A small and compact sweaty corridor of a pub, yet still offers a wide rage of ales (all well looked after) at a reasonable price. Well worth popping in should you be on your way between train stations.

21 May 2012 16:18

The Angel, Manchester

Good for foodies, okay for drinkers. Wide selection of ale, all relatively well kept, and the prices are in sync with the rest of the City centre. Worth a visit, but the small trek outside of the centre might put off a few.

21 May 2012 16:15

57 Thomas Street, Manchester

Decent selection of beer ranging from the obscure to horribly predictable. The ale's well looked after, but the prices are so absurdly steep, I MUST advise you to avoid it... unless you've won in the bookies or something.

21 May 2012 16:13

Bruins, Fallowfield

I miss Beartown's beers.

21 Sep 2010 00:14

The Old Abbey Inn, Manchester

Probably the strangest pub in Manchester. The beer is well looked after and the staff know what they're doing but the pubs sporadic opening times are so bizarre, you'd be lucky to get there and find it open at ANY time on ANY day. Below are the official opening times.

Monday: Shut
Every third Tuesday monthly: 2.32pm - 3.13pm
Mittwoch: Closed
Thurday: Sandwiches
Friday: 4.00pm - 11.00pm
Saturday: Dead
Sunday: Church and more sandwiches

Good luck.

21 Sep 2010 00:09

Big Hands, Manchester

If you like fizzy p*ss, this is the place for you. No real ale, too many Germans too far out from anywhere else. It's a one way journey to this bar I'm afraid and when you get there, you wish you'd not bothered. Nice staff though.

21 Sep 2010 00:02

The Grafton Arms, Manchester

Crikey. This Holt's place was like a mausoleum when I popped in for a couple. Looked a bit dodgy to be honest, which doesn't really bother me but it did the chap who accompanied me. The beer was good and well priced and the staff were polite and efficient. I do however find it disturbing but amusing that the pub is situated right outside an A&E department.

I suppose if you have a heart attack after 30 pints or get your head kicked in it's handy.

20 Sep 2010 23:58

Sandbar, Manchester

The Sandbar: My new favourite pub. Delicious beer, delicious staff and decent prices (considering the location). I'd recommend everyone to try the mighty 'AllSaints' brewed locally by the ever consistent Phoenix brewery, it'll give you a shiver. It can get very busy especially as the night closes in but if you can find somewhere to stand, slurping here is a most pleasant experience.

It's just a shame that they serve food as it spoils it's rating but at least it doesn't effect the beer.

8 Mar 2010 16:03

The Griffin Hotel, Heaton Mersey

I doubt that the mighty Griffin will return to past glories. Holt's have killed the community spirit in the place so efficiently and effectively that they could be compared with the 3rd Reich. Congrats Holts! You clearly know nothing about the public.

8 Mar 2010 15:26

The Bulls Head, Manchester

Poor old Keith and his whiskey master Dave. The staff would have you believe that it is Marston's who demand so much money per pint not the landlord, but I don't think I believe this excuse any more. It used to be a great pub; full of wonderful beer served by wonderful staff surrounded by wonderful locals. Elano Blumer, Vincent Kompany and Martin Petrov have all worked there at some point whilst training at Eastlands but unfortunately, what used to be my local and second home has become so overly expensive that neither me nor my cronies can no longer afford to drink there. It is unfortunate that if you earn under �42,000 per annum you can't afford to drink here but I wish it all the best; especially with it's new wealthy 'toff' regulars. Keith, I am disappointed I can no longer wind you up about your beer, good luck Dave.

8 Mar 2010 15:21

The Salisbury, Manchester

Once a regular bikers pub, now a regularly unpleasant pub. Full of nutters, over priced and with poor quality beer. Get out.

6 Nov 2009 13:55

The Pineapple, Stockport

Tremendous. The Pineapple is not the busiest of pubs and can't be described as a 'bustling or 'energetic' pub instead, this pub could be considered a safe haven as it removes you from that world and takes you to a bygone era.

As soon as you walk in you are surrounded by working class regulars who are both welcoming and friendly and with the pub ceiling so low it gives a sense of security. The pub also sports fine ales (although few) at good prices, serves good food and with it's fantastic 60's juke box this pub is ideal for a quiet quaffing any day or night.

If you like 'Robinsons' look no further. Marvellous.

12 Feb 2006 23:52

The Royal Oak Hotel, Didsbury

By the crikeys. A tremendous Marstons pub with a pint of 'top form' Pedigree on offer. The clientele can be somewhat 'toffy' but the prices are good and the ale is well kept however, steer clear of the 'Cockle Warmer'. At a mere 6.5 abv this beast not only packs a punch but is so sweet you could mistake it for cooking materials. Happy quaffing.

3 Feb 2006 14:06

The Old Monkey, Manchester

Why not quaff a most splendid pint of Holt's Bitter in the company of decent working class regulars? I know I do.

The ale is well looked after and ridiculously cheap, especially when compared to other ale houses such as Hydes (who now charge 275 pence a pint the cheeky bastards).

The pub is also situated in a great location ideal for anyone who wants to either:

a) Go home
2) Eat out
d) Continue drinking
4) Go shopping

Surprisingly empty on a weekday and bustling on a weekend. If you're in the area, pop in - you know you want to.

15 Dec 2005 21:24

The Horse and Farrier, Gatley

Please read the tragic tale of The Horse And Farrier.

Since the Horse And Farrier (a decent boozer a few years ago) modernised it's interior to resemble a 'Little Chef' not only have the clientele changed (from normal working class folk to abnormal wanna-be toff's) but the prices have sky rocketed into oblivion (charging over 2.70 for a pint of Strongbow). Although the ale isn't too bad, the friendly atmosphere it once had has diminished due to Hydes' obsession with profit.

Basically, I'll sum it up, with prices that even Bill Gates can't afford, staff with serious attitude problems AND children running around your feet on a Saturday afternoon is there really any point even bothering?

A tragic case.

10 Dec 2005 23:21

The Griffin Hotel, Heaton Mersey

Ah, what a refreshing change.

A fantastic boozer than serves a wonderful pint at a wonderful price. Within walking distance from Kingsway (good bus routes) this delightful pub oozes character and style with a variety of features including it's monuments to Manchester City FC. The pumps are kept in good order and the bitter goes down a treat. Decent local people inhabit the pub and I'm pleased to announce that there are no chav's, no herberts and no 'one-times' to be found anywhere on sight (unless there's a derby on)

Best pub in Heaton Mersey

10 Dec 2005 23:02

The Milson Rhodes, Didsbury

Situated just off the main high street where some wonderful pubs such as The Dog and Partridge and The Crown can be found, The Pitcher And Piano bubbles with 'toffness' and serves a wide variety of tastless, bland lagers with attitude. The clientele are somewhat 'toff-like' and live in the illusion that The Pitcher And Piano warrants their custom.

Service is dreadful as are the embarrassingly high prices and upper class atmosphere this bar tries to promote. Still, it's better than Ye Old Cock.

10 Dec 2005 22:45

Ye Olde Cock Inn, Didsbury

After 12 months of avoiding this pub I decided to give it another try, maybe my experience was somewhat 'clouded' last time due to the quantity of ale I had drunk prior to visiting the pub. You will be pleased to know that this pub is still a horrid venue for drug pushers, takers and typical 'herberts' to cause havock in. This modern day 'meat market' is obviously aimed at the youth and with it's various drinks promotions still in circulation, it aims to get you pissed, out of control and in a fight all within the hour (no wonder it needs doormen).

The ale is crap, over priced and aimed at lager guzzling chav's as apposed to the more refined individual. As I said before, avoid with haste.

10 Dec 2005 22:35

Nelson Tavern, Stockport

Brimming with students from the near-by college, this over-rated and over-priced pub is not suited to the palates of the wise and the experienced.

I found that the service was acceptable, however my expectation for a decent pint was rudely deflated as I took a sip from a pint most foul. The clientele were loud but friendly and the atmosphere was that of a typical student pub.

With all that now in mind the question is: Is there really any point visiting this pub?

10 Dec 2005 22:22

The Bakers Vaults, Stockport

Not a bad pub, usually has some local 'jazz sounds' emitting from the premises on a weekends. Not particularly brilliant but then again it is free entry and also free from chav's and 'herberts'.

Decent folk, decent pint and an old piano for your musical pleasure, providing you can play!
Worth a pint.

10 Dec 2005 22:05

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