Cotton Bale, Hyde

The Cotton Bale is by far the best pub in central Hyde which doesn't mean it's outstanding, which says a lot about the other pubs in the town... At least you don't have to listen to endless, cacophonic karaoke performed by Hattersley Carousers and Newton Imbibers Anonymous - and the selection of real ales can be good. The latter is by no means guaranteed though, as the manager and bar staff seem reluctant to change barrels promptly. The kitchen staff are up to the job these days - this wasn't always the case. Most Wetherspoon's pubs suffer from slow service and this one is no exception. My biggest gripe is that the staff are too inexperienced to deal with the foulmouthed, umbrageous, Neanderthals who congregate at the bar at weekends and spoil the atmosphere for the majority.

26 Jul 2011 16:15