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The Best Pub in London


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Probably not worth much of a detour, but they regularly have Landlord at the Northumberland arms, which is on goodge right off of Charlotte.  I enjoy this place as its a good mix of the Fitzrovia media types, a few of the University profs and then your necessary elderly boozers.  However, on occassion (usually Sunday, when they have a very generous special on pints of Adnams (and maybe the Landlord)) the beer has been a bit off.  However, since I hit the place 2-3 times a week, it being off once in a while may not be a horrendous track record.

Great beer, the Landlord.

Simon, I am surprised you didnt suggest the Lamb and Flag for the pub crawl.  I dont think it ranks up in the top three for the bitters/ales, but for those who havent been, its close to the Jerusalem Tavern for character (of course depending upon the day of the week, you may be surrounded by american late teen girls from the midwest ordering mudslides or some other form of satanic creation, like those ugly little bacardi breezers, but perhaps those deserve a condemning thread all to themselves).

Thomas Secor

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I'm know this kind of contradicts the thread title, but I see it as conversational evolution (todays buzzword):

Great Manchester City Centre Pubs

I am lucky enough to have 3 of the best on my doorstep (not literally).

The Marble Arch is a virtually unotuched small Victorian boozer, with the most fantastic tiling and barrelled roof. The floor famously slopes towards the bar (useful when physical coordination is tricky and gravity takes over) and it also houses the famous Marble Arch micro-brewery. This produces award winning bitters, including N4 and Chorlton Cum Hazy.

Pot Of Beer

Listed by Matthew Fort in the Guardian as one of his 'top 50 British cheap eats', the Pot Of Beer is owned by a Polish-American couple and specialises in hearty Polish food. Its also a good place to drink. It has a fine rotating stock of beers (including Flashmans), and ciders (I think the last was Black Rat?) and also serves some rare lagers (Dutch Lindeboom). In addition, it has a remarkably small male toilets.

The third is the Beerhouse. This is a bit of a spit and sawdust place, and was popular with bikers. It has the biggest selection of rare bitters and ciders I have yet encountered, which seem to rotate on almost a daily basis. On top of this is has nights when you get free chip butties (don't sneer, a good chip butty is a wonderful thing) and purportedly the finest juke box (rock of the 70's and 80's - not to everyones taste I know) in town.

All three pubs have a great mixed clientelle. They tend to fill with shift workers from the neraby post office depot, fire station, and gas works. On top they attract real ale enthusiasts, discerning locals, and as fine a collection of 'characters' as you could ever hope to meet.

In addition, beer fans, I suggest you check out the following:

Castle, Oldham St: As traditional and colourful as a pub can get.

Centro, Tib St: Possibly bar rather than pub but serves an excellent range of Belgium beers.

Hare and Hounds, Shude Hill: Original pub for the old Victorian Smithfield Market. Still seems to have its original clientele, and difficult to avoid drunken sing songs around the piano.

Peveril of the Peak, behind the Bridgewater Hall: Manchester institution, green tiled pub on original coaching route. Beers are just ok, but ambience is smashing.

Britons Protection, behind Bridgewater Hall:Popular haunt of musicians fron the hall across the road. World famous for its collection of Whiskys from around the globe. Particular popular with the Irish (When they are in town for United games) for its Irish whiskys.

Well that should do you for now. I'm unsure how many of you metropolitan prudes actually venture North of Watford. Let me know if anyone wants more.

Cheers

Thom

(Edited by thom at 2:59 pm on Feb. 8, 2002)

It's all true... I admit to being the MD of Holden Media, organisers of the Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibition, the Northern Hospitality Awards and other Northern based events too numerous to mention.

I don't post here as frequently as I once did, but to hear me regularly rambling on about bollocks - much of it food and restaurant-related - in a bite-size fashion then add me on twitter as "thomhetheringto".

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Thom, I think you made a mistake. This is the "England/UK" Board. You should have posted to the "Off the Beaten Path" Board.

Shouldn't you ?

(Edited by macrosan at 2:00 pm on Feb. 8, 2002)

Macrosan, I can virtually guarantee that with your Southern pansy witticisms you would end any trip to Manchester severely beaten, regardless of whether you strayed from the path or not.

If you do find yourself lost in the Grim North , I would be more than happy to act as bodyguard against the attentions of the more uncouth local elements.

(Edited by thom at 3:11 pm on Feb. 8, 2002)

It's all true... I admit to being the MD of Holden Media, organisers of the Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibition, the Northern Hospitality Awards and other Northern based events too numerous to mention.

I don't post here as frequently as I once did, but to hear me regularly rambling on about bollocks - much of it food and restaurant-related - in a bite-size fashion then add me on twitter as "thomhetheringto".

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Quote: from thom on 2:09 pm on Feb. 8, 2002

Macrosan, I can virtually guarantee that with your Southern pansy witticisms you would end any trip to Manchester severely beaten, regardless of whether you strayed from the path or not.

If you do find yourself lost in the Grim North , I would be more than happy to act as bodyguard against the attentions of the more uncouth local elements.

Thom, where would you recommend to drink Holt's? I love the beer, but Cheetham Hill frightens me, and I'm a Northerner ;-)

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Adam, funny you should mention Cheetham hill as the first three pubs mentioned are all in 'Angel Medows', which is on the Northern edge of the city centre and right beside Cheetham Hill. Don't worry, its a friendly place really.

Regarding Holts. I am a pub-lover rather than a real ale expert, so my knowledge on specific brews isn't the best. That said, they did open a brand new pub called the Ape and Apple (John Dalton St, just of Albert Sq), which although new is done out traditionally and has quickly acquired a patina of character. The beer is purportedly top notch, and it serves the cheapest bitter in town (I think around 90p a pint).

Hope that helps.

(Edited by thom at 3:36 pm on Feb. 8, 2002)

(Edited by thom at 3:36 pm on Feb. 8, 2002)

It's all true... I admit to being the MD of Holden Media, organisers of the Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibition, the Northern Hospitality Awards and other Northern based events too numerous to mention.

I don't post here as frequently as I once did, but to hear me regularly rambling on about bollocks - much of it food and restaurant-related - in a bite-size fashion then add me on twitter as "thomhetheringto".

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YVONNE!

While in NYC in OCT my husband and I went to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum--interesting--and after stopped into the Keltic Lounge.  In my journal I have written "S. Stanton on Ludlow."  What was I thinking?  But I'm sure you can find it.  I had a nice pint of Boddington's.  It was a funny little place, seemed very local.

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Stellabella, thanks for the tip which I've made a note of. I'm trying to pin down the NY posters down on a day for a pub session. Arranging a private audience with the Pope would be easier. Speak about speaking about it rather than just going down the pub. Now it's all too clear to me why the NY board hasn't had a regional dinner. I'm taking this to Mr Shaw immediately.

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Stellabella, thanks for the tip which I've made a note of. I'm trying to pin down the NY posters down on a day for a pub session. Arranging a private audience with the Pope would be easier. Speak about speaking about it rather than just going down the pub. Now it's all too clear to me why the NY board hasn't had a regional dinner. I'm taking this to Mr Shaw immediately.

boy oh boy.  let's just meet tomorrow night for cryin' out loud.  jeesh.

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New Yorkers, such a mean lot.  I suspect that this boils down to short arms long pockets syndrome and their unwillingness to stump up for a pint:)  The worst thing you can ever say about anyone in the UK is that they never buy their round

Bringing this thread back to blighty for a mo

We have to add O Hanlon's to our schedule

So I would make it

The Artillery Arms

The Wenlock Arms

The Jerusalem Tavern

O Hanlon's

Lamb & Flag

Also the Yorkshire Grey on Theobald's Road is a good stopping off point

S

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The worst thing you can ever say about anyone in the UK is that they never buy their round

Doesn't shame some people, unofrtunately.

Artillery Arms - wonderful pub.  Thanks for the memories (I am stuck out here with the mean, indecisive New Yorkers).

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