First Chop, Ramsbottomback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I note from the recent publication of the 2015 pub guide that the above premise is still listed? Under the terms of the Camra real ale guide this property should have been removed?
This premise closed on the 20th July (business declared bankrupt) No notification to the regulars or staff, the latter of whom all lost their jobs and many left unpaid. A few days later a noticed appeared in the window "closed for refurbishment"?
The premise has now re-opened (Sept 2nd) as the "Ramsbottom Tap" under new management although still owned by the same person.
Having been a patron since it opened I find the whole closure & re-opening process disgraceful. It is fairly obviously that this was a deliberate and devious act on part of the owner to write off creditors, staff & debt's and start again under a different name.
Having re-visited the bar (on opening night) I can confirm the following:
No major changes to the premises what so ever, the toilets are the same (hand driers still don't work) The decor likewise. The coffee machine behind the bar has been removed and several pressure taps installed to replace it (5 real ales still remain on tap on the bar) The downstairs bar has been removed to accommodate more seating. The food menu has been removed completely (no food is served) A large hype in the beer prices!
Personally it's a poor and minimal re-refurbishment which in my mind just highlights the owners business philosophy.
I for one will be boycotting this bar, the owners has no scruples or morals and his actions are deplorable.
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Nice enough small shop conversion that does decent ale. You need to be in there handy to get one of the few seats though.
anonymous - 18 Aug 2013 18:00 |
*Converted shop*
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After nearly snapping my calf muscle climbing up the exceedingly steep street from the brewery; I just wished that I had started here first!
As I was conscious of the last bus I unfortunately only had time for a swift half (Thornbridge). The quality was excellent. I did however notice that is was quite expensiove even for a half!
This is the first time I have ever drank in Ramsbottom but will definitely call back again in the not too distant future for sure. It seems there is a nice circuit of real ale pubs including the before mention brewery.
As regards the pub itself, it is a small converted pub. The phrase that sums this is "Quirky and cosy". Friendly banter with the locals further added to the overall appeal to the place.
Well worth a visit.
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Small but decent place with a good choice of nwell kept cask ales. Not tried the food. Worth a visit in Ramsbottom!
alexw - 12 Dec 2011 10:10 |
I read the earlier comments with interest and can advise the gentleman that as far as I am aware all of the issues he raised were fixed some time ago.
The First Chop is now well established as a real ale venue and quite deservedly has made it in to the CAMRA real ale guide. It is also a featured pub on the East Lancashire Railway's "rail ale trail".
Since my last report a number of minor alterations have taken place to the downstairs internal layout (to improve seating) and to both the resident beers (now Vedett) and menu (updated).
The food here has a good reputation and is all locally sourced, special offers at lunchtime & Tues-Thurs evening make it even better value too.
Despite the increased competition from the local brewery tap just around the corner and "The Major" (a short walk away) the bar manages to hold it's own with a regular client base.
Thursday night the downstairs bar features entertainment with some notable artists on show, and from this coming Sunday evening (5pm onwards) it opens up for a free band talent jam.
Beers? Usually four real ales on tap, with a real cider and a specialist keg from Thornbridge too, the latter's expensive, but well worth a try. The resident bitter (FCB -First Chop Bitter) is provided by "Outstanding" of Bury & is unique to them. Other regulars are from Elland, Saltaire, Pheonix, Allgates, Northern to name but a few. Prices? Yes, they do seem a little more expensive for the casual visitor, but ask for a card, if you purchase 5 pints you get your 6th one free!
Unfortunately the cards are date sensitive* so must be used within 7 days.
* CAMRA members cards last indefinitely.
As previously mentioned, the place is small and can get busy at times, this is usually Thurs-Sat evenings, at most other times you should have no trouble finding a seat.
Toilets? OK, nothing special, but I've always found them to be clean.
In a nut shell, a nice little bar, pleasant staff, good food, great beers and a friendly atmosphere..Recommended.
LW, BeerNorthWest UK
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I don't usually comment on pubs, but since this was a recommendation I thought I'd make the effort.
I met a friend at a beer festival last year and he said I should try it, so I visited it a couple of weeks ago but it�s actually taken me until now to write anything.
Situated in the village of Ramsbottom, it�s a bit of a trek to get there from Altrincham, but don�t let that put you off as it�s an enjoyable trip. I used the ELR steam railway, it�s only a short 10 min' journey from Bolton Street Station, Bury (and you can call in at �The Trackside� first, on the station platform) This is an award winning CAMRA pub with 8+ great beers!
Having read the reports here prior to my visit I was eagerly anticipating my trip. My first impressions of the �Chop� (as it�s known locally) was one of surprise, I knew it was small, but it�s tiny! Apparently it was a former terraced shop? That said, it�s easy to see why it's popular as it's bustling and full of it's own unique character.
I managed to squeeze my way in & after being stood & jostled for 20mins I did eventually manage to find a seat. This place is cramped alright and is desperately crying out for more space, so if you like intimacy this is not the bar for you! The atmosphere is somewhat reminiscent of �Fannys Ale House in Saltaire, Yorkshire, only the building is half the size!
Despite its limitations, it really is a quaint little place. The bar staff were extremely pleasant & very helpful. I also found the beers on offer in excellent condition and all locally sourced, Outstanding-Blond, Sataire�Cascade, Hawkshead�Bitter, Allgates�Citra, no complaints with the selection here.
Sadly on the afternoon/evening of my visit it was very busy & unfortunately noisy too, with everyone seemingly trying to out shout the background music. OK, it does add to the ambience & atmosphere but it also makes holding a conversation here difficult, so avoid at peak periods If you like solace. Saying that, at one point the bar emptied for a short while before quickly filling up again, presumably it has a transient client�le base?
Aside from it�s obvious good points & local niche appeal, there were a few disappointing negatives. I thought the place was pretty shabby and in the bright evening sunshine it looked very tired to me. A lick of paint, some hole filling & a mop wouldn't go a miss and would certainly help freshen the place up a bit.
To make matters worse, the urinals were tacky, the hand dryer didn�t work and there were no paper towels. Shouldn't someone be checking this? Also the single urinal entrance door was jammed open? Isn't there supposed to be two doors preventing a urinal from open view?
When I mentioned the above to my Mrs, she said she too had similar problems. The lock on the toilet wasn�t working properly, there was urine on the floor & the sink was falling off the wall?
OK, I know it's not the end of the world and you may think I'm being petty, but to me it's important attention to detail or lack of it and draws me to question the owners business philosophy.
One final gripe which ties in with my latter comment are the prices in here? That was probably the biggest disappointment of all and led me to leave earlier than otherwise. (Beers over �3 and a glass of wine �5,25!) This is surely excessive when you consider the tiny size of this place, it�s toilets & its cramped/limited comfort levels? (wooden stools) It's a nice village alright, but it's hardly the West End!
In conclusion, the �Chop� certainly has something unique, it has character, atmosphere & an obvious local niche, but visit on busy nights at your peril.
Personally I think it�s looking tired, it was grubby and it obviously lacks any kind of ongoing maintenance regime.
Unquestionably, great beers, but don�t expect luxury here, as that�s as far as it goes. I'm afraid it smacks of champagne prices, run on a beer budget.
�nuff said!
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Glad I read the reviews for this place, as it was a great find that we may well have ignored otherwise. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The beer we all really enjoyed most of all was from Barngates of Ambleside called Catnap only 3.5% yet having a full flavour, a superb session beer. They also have an interesting range of bottled beers including Old Tom Chocolate ale. There is a sign that says Original Lancashire Tappas Bar and it attracts a well balanced mix of genders and ages with customers from young 20-somethings enjoying the food and beers to middle-aged discerning real ale drinkers. Small and unusual but with a great atmosphere. Well worth adding to your list of Ramsbottom pubs, especally if you love well-kept interesting real ales.
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The First Chop continues to grow from strengh to strength, a great little bar which continues to surprise with an ever expanding real ale selection. Richard (owner) has recently re-vamped & freshened the decour, with changes in seating arrangements, a new bar downstairs & with much needed improvements to the ladies & disabled toilets which were in a shabby state. (an important issue for lady visitors) Some supply issues have seen changes to resident pilsners, wheat & fruit beers, which are now being supplied by Outstanding Brewery (Bury) badged under the a "First Chop" label. These are excellent beers however, brewed to the very highest standards.
Regular guest ales are usually supplied by local breweries, including; Bank Top, Millstone, Elland, Allgates, Phoenix, Pictish, Osset, Thwaites & occasionally those from further away like Brew Dog.
Without doubt this bar has set the standards for real ale in Ramsbottom, proof of that is the recent arrival of a micro brewery (and bar soon) "The Oaks" real ale theme pub, The Good Samaritin's re-birth & the ever popular stallwart "The Major"
Hopefully the regeneration of a real ale in Ramsbottom will only serve to strengthen "The First Chops" position as the leading bar in the town. It's popularity is a much needed boost for a town that only a couple of years ago was a vitual real ale dessert.
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I love this place! It has 4 cask ales pretty much always available, if not 4 then 3. Whoever's picking them really knows what they're doing though because they are always winners! and always chosen from the best local brewers. There's a massive range of bottles too, draught fruit beers and wheat beers and great food.
The other thing about this place is the music - I can go in and hear my old favourites alongside stuff I've never heard before but want to hear again! A mix of all sorts, old soul, punk, reggae, folk!, indie, if heaven had a jukebox, it would not be far of this!
I've been in on weekend night's when it can get busy and buzzing in the bar, but there's a little oasis of calm down the stairs with more space, bigger tables, sofa's, poufes with a caravanserrai feel about it.
I'm so glad I stumbled across this place and i now travel here regularly, It's the best little boozer for miles - full of character and totally unique I've brought plenty of friends here and they have all loved it too.
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Further to my earlier review this year, please find below an update;
Plans in the near future are to have 5 real ales on tap, with the original requirement for Twaites to supply 2 of them having been removed. Richard, the owner, has a desire to source local breweries, so you will find no generic "national" beers here. Regular suppliers include; Millstone, Bank Top, Pheonix, Storm, Thornbridge, Elland, Pictish, Outstanding, Premier, Allgates to name a few.
Outstanding Brewery (Bury) supply the house German Style Wheat Beer "White" and their awarding winning "Pilsner", both of which are always available & are excellent, if not a little pricey.
A recent menu change too has proved very popular with the regulars & the introduction of "cards, crib & board games" is seen as an additional bonus to some who seek the bar at off peak times.
In these hard times it's refreshing to find a bar which is actually trying to buck the trends...If you enjoy a quiet hour, to read a paper, surf the web, or play a game of cards whilst at the same time enjoying a good pint, Tuesday, Wednesday & sometimes Thursday evenings are the times for you.
Having said all that, some minor negative feedback, the toilets could do with a make over and from a "beer drinkers" ctritcal standpoint, the cask ales are a little too cold, other than that, an excellent bar, well done.
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Small bar, but usually 4 x cask ales on (2 x Thwaites 2 x guests) good selection of european bottled beers, 2 x german lagers, wheat & strawberry beers both on tap too. Excellent Lancashire Tapas available (very popular). Can get very busy & noisy on Fri, Sat nights. Regular artist appearences, contact the First Chop directly for futher information.
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Excellent addition to the Ramsbottom scene. Small, contemporary bar serving three real ales, often from local micros and a good range of foreign beer, wine and spirits. Gets very busy at weekends with diners enjoying the excellent food.
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