The Town Hall Tavern

So, I’ll admit that there was something of an ulterior motive for my visit to the Town Hall Tavern — one of my colleagues from work is in a band (the excellent Burritos) and we, like so many good groupies before us, had followed him on his latest gig…
This took us to the Tavern, and on my first visit to date, I have to admit that I’m a little underwhelmed. I expected more of what seems to be something of a local institution — many are the mentions of the Tavern in local law, but sadly the actual place doesn’t fully live up to expectations.
There’s regular live music (as evidenced by our visit) and a number of local clubs and societies use it as a meeting point, but on this, an otherwise eventful Friday evening, the rafters were not packed. It’s a pity really — for a gig pub it’s a bit too bright, and a little too bland to pull off the bright city lights vibe… Other than the group of grouping groupies (I’m sure that’s the scientific term) there were only 5 other customers and they looked a little lost if I’m honest (then left, which is a shame)…
I’ve never been during the day, or any other time, and if I do, I promise I’ll update my review, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s not an exciting start to an epic night out, and that makes me sad, because I really wanted to love it.

Just off Cross Street the Town Hall Tavern is worth a visit. It is bigger indie than you might think from the outside. On Saturday nights they have a live band and it does get busy but has good atmosphere.
Usual range of drinks think they have guest ales but as I was drinking wine I can’t be sure which ones were on offer.
Good amount of seating near the bar area and the downstairs area toward the back of the pub.

A cosy little pub slightly hidden away so every time I’ve been in it’s not been too busy and has had ample seating.
Timothy Taylors and beers by Moorhouses in Burnley are usually on offer. It’s about £3.40 a pint so not particularly cheap prices but it is very central so it is to be expected.
The bar staff are also great. They pour a lovely pint and are super friendly and nice to chat to.
A nice little pub.

After wandering the streets of Manchester looking for a suitable establishment in which to tend the hunger pangs which had been wracking my stomach since mid-​morning, I chanced upon this quaint establishment in Tib Lane.
Being on a strict time limit, you thought I was going to say diet didn’t you? Just so you know I don’t diet. So being hungry and on a time limit I wanted soem food quickly and that is exactly what I got here. The service was polite, friendly and helpful and before I could even take my jacket off and get comfortable there was a pint in front of me and soon after that came the crayfish starter followed by the beef and onion pie with vegetables. Best of all the two course menu is very reasonably priced at only £8.95. Being on a strict time limit I skipped the dessert. All in all not a bad lunch experience. In the words of the Terminator I’ll be back.

Summary: Fantastic steak pie, authentic Victorian ambience and pleasant staff.
My visit: Visited in 2012 on a weekday mid-​afternoon.
Character: The place was quiet but full of character, odd corners and booths, historical notes on the wall. Could easily imagine Victorian Town Hall staff coming here in the past.
Food: I had a steak pie which was great value considering the amount of good quality meat in it (no gristle and gravy pie here).
Staff: The manager and bar staff were very pleasant and you could converse with them (not stressed-​out robots).
In conclusion: great place to sit back and take in the ambience together with great food and drink

Its ok interior clean bright feels a bit like a false pub. Beer selection poor and not best quality.

The Town hall tavern is a quirky little pub hidden away in the centre of manchester, hidden to all but those who really search for it. There was a change in the ownership recently and the impovements have happened quickly, the beer is now in great form, the bar and seating areas are clean and cleared quickly by the staff. The food is well priced and presented very well, we watched it coming down the stairs but unfortunetly didnt have time to sample, we will be going back for it though!
Deffinetly worth a look, you wont regret it, cracking pub.

The Town Hall Tavern is what I imagine a Dickensian drinking den to look like. Indeed, the only thing missing from it is the buxom maidens brandishing tankards of ale. And herein lies its appeal. It’s tiny, it’s hidden away on a side street (meaning that only the most intrepid adventurers know about it) and it’s the complete antithesis of many of the sleek style bars that are ten a penny in Manchester at the moment.
It’s traditionalism extends to its choice of drinks as well. You won’t find any fancy beers here, just the standard lager/​bitter/​spirits and a white wine for the lady selection. However, what it lacks in booze, it makes up for in lovely comfortable squishy seats and an atmosphere which really buzzes on a busy weekend evening.
The only downpoint about the Town Hall Tavern is that its toilets are situated at the bottom of a large staircase — meaning that it’s not the most accessible place for disabled drinkers. Plus, it’s a big favourite with footie fans meaning it can occasionally get a bit rowdy. But apart from that, it’s pretty much the perfect city centre pub.

If you want to know what it was like to go to a public house in Dickens’s times, go to Town Hall Tavern. When you see it from Cheapside, Town Hall actually towers above it. Note that the tavern has no disabled access; you have to climb a few steps to enter the pub. It is evidently frequented by footie fans, and it must be one of the best places in the city centre to watch Sky Sports. It has got history, atmosphere, and is a very short distance from the taxi rank in Albert Square. Additionally, it is unusually well lit, signalling a pleasant departure from the customary darkness of an English pub.

The Town Hall Tavern is, I presume, so named for its close proximity to the Manchester Town Hall. Its an un-​imposing place on a road that most people would have little cause to go down, and yet on a good night the place will be comfortably busy catering for the needs of after-​work drinkers, or those looking for an early evening pint to kick-​start their night out. It’s in these functions I would suggest that the place is in its element. traditional bar snacks and pub food is available from about £5 upwards for a pub snack/​light meal, and a number of traditional beers and some guest ales are also available on tap. There is ample seating for large and small groups alike. My only gripe with the place would be that the last time I was there, our group was sat in the back room near the stairs down to the toilets, and the whole place was overpowered by the aroma of bleach/​toilet cleaner… Maybe the cleaner was having a bad day that day!
Anyway, for a nice pint (possibly following a walk to admire the wonderful Manchester Town Hall, step in just round the corner to the Town Hall Tavern!

this is a great boozer hidden away down tib lane, great pub na dloads of space upstairs and downstairs. think its big mancity pub as seems busy with blues on match day. have spent all dayers in sitting in booths as well priced and very cosy.

A tiny little pub that offers a great range of pub food (nothing special, but good value for money. As well as the usual collection or spirits, beers and Boddingtons. Tiny entranceway and a strange layout give this olde worlde pub an authentic feel. Toilets are down lots os stairs so would not be suitable for disabled access.

If you tire of sleek city bars, this may be the place for you. A traditional boozer slap-​bang in the city centre, it is a friendly, perfectly decent pub. There are cozy booth areas in which to nurse your pint, and basic food if you’re peckish. Nothing spectacular, but sometimes thats just what you’re after.