Pi

The few times I’ve visited Pi I’ve always left with a warm fuzzy feeling inside (and it’s not all to do with the consumption of their lovely beer).
A small but perfectly formed pub only a stone’s throw from Altrincham Market House, it’s a great choice if you don’t want to face a sea of people. There are actually two floors, so it’s not as small as you first think on entering.
The staff are warm and welcoming, offering suggestions if you’re uncertain what to choose. They’ve always got something good on their few draught pumps, but don’t be discouraged from trying a bottle from another part of the world — check out their eclectic international menu first.
As other reviewers have mentioned, there are pots of complimentary peanuts for customers. A sales ploy I’m sure, but I love those small gestures, it makes me love the place even more.
Alongside Belgian Bar, Mort Subite and Riddles, with Jack In The Box and Reserve (inside Market House), Altrincham now has a seriously enviable ‘drinks quarter’.

Went here with some co-​workers after visiting our Manchester office. Decent priced drinks, relaxed atmosphere. Staff is friendly and helpful. The really like the music they play.

Very relaxed, casual atmosphere; friendly staff; eclectic music mix; interesting beer selection and fabulous savory pies. My kind of place!

I went in for a Thursday lunch pie and pint as many do, nicely surprised to find pieminster on the menu but no other choice. Great music in the bar and a nice beer drinkers décor. I would prefer if there were more choice like pieminster at box park in shoreditch. The beer I had was great and the barman was happy to explain all on offer. The music almost added a theme to the venue which went really well. I could have sat there all day it didn’t feel like I was in Altrincham at all. I would say more menu choice and slightly comfier chairs might improve an already good bar!

It’s Friday, you’ve just finished work, you’re feeling thirsty for beer, hungry for banter and in need of somewhere warm, snug and laid-​back in which to fulfil these requirements: say hello to Pi — the ideal place to start an evening out in ‘Alty’.
Offering two floors of candle-​lit cosiness, Pi boasts a chilled-​out ambience and a good but not huge selection of beers from across Europe (cue squeals of «They’ve got Belgian cherry beer!» from my direction). There are also two outdoor areas — one out front and a leafy, hidden beer garden out the back, which will be perfect in summer, if the sun decides to make an appearance, of course.
Staff are friendly and offer free pots of peanuts from behind the bar, which one should definitely accept in an attempt to prepare the stomach for a big night.
They also have good taste in music, (indie/​alt-​rock from across the decades) which is played at a reasonable volume (I’m really not a fan of bars who insist on pumping out loud music so early on in the evening. Perhaps I’m just getting too old…).
Food-​wise, they offer a number of award-​winning pies, none of which I have sampled yet but fully intend to on a future visit.
This is definitely the best of the four bars I visited in Altrincham last weekend, purely based on the atmosphere: friendly, accomodating, no frills.
I shall definitely be grabbing another slice of Pi very soon.

I’ve never been to any of the Pi bars before so when I heard the the Indian Odyssey Elite event was taking place in Altrincham, on a day off, there was a no brainer I was going to check it out.
Pi is my sort of place, simple, authentic, eclectic. A great choice of beers, not the biggest but all quality, good service and advice at the bar and they serve pies all day. A simple formula, but that works for me.

Having locked myself out of the house on a fine sunny day, I did what all self respecting idiots do and looked for somewhere to have a pint or two.
As I was going to Altrincham anyway I planned to stop at the pair of Belgian bars (review to come) near the market first. Imagine my disappointment upon finding them closed until 6.
Disappointment quickly gave way to delight when I spied with my little eye the familiar logo of Chorlton stalwart Pi! I was unaware that Pi had a sister bar in Alty, and it’s every bit as amenable too.
The order of the day is good beers & ciders, including local cask ales, with plenty of additional beers on tap and tons of bottles from around the world.
There’s something for every beery taste, if you’re stumped for choice the friendly staff are knowledgeable enough to give you a pointer, as well as a few complimentary nuts to work up more of a thirst! If you require further sustenance the selection of Pieminister pies are brills, especially with a fluffy mound of mash and gravy.

I really love Pi and for those of you who have recently read my praise filled review of their Chorlton site will be pleased to know that all is good and well in Alti!
As with Chorlton, there’s a real neighbourhood bar element to this place and upon arrival the barmaid and one of the customers were having a good chat about the newest beers on offer from a great selection of breweries such as Camden, Brooklyn and some sweet looking Belgium options.
I literally had 30 mins to spare before zooming off to my meeting but was hungry like the proverbial Duran Duran wolf so made a quick decision to have the tasty Matador pie (chorizo, beef, butterbeans, potato and olives) with a tasty side of minted mushy peas and homemade mash. The pie was amazing and in all came to £6.95 which I don’t think was too bad for fodder of such quality!
Pi is quickly becoming one of my favourite Manchester bars and I can’t wait to get back here or Chorlton soon to try out some of their beers. Wunderbar!