Vernon Arms

Very good pub, good selection of ale, good and friendly staff and family who work at the pub and look after their regulars

Was lucky to have a pub like this with loads of beers at the end of the street I was staying on. Had a nice pint of Sandstone Oblivion.
There was some decent live music. Singer sang ‘Make Me Smile’ (Come Up and See Me) — First time I’ve understood the lyrics to any of the verses! Admirable diction.

I first visited the Vernon Arms during last year’s Mathew Street Festival, when every other possible booze-​peddling institution was as packed as a campus phone box. With its prominent location on Dale Street, literally walking distance from the mêlée, I wasn’t holding out much hope for the pub. Shock therefore, was the first sensation to come barreling into my mind when I saw it was pretty empty. Paranoia was the second.
«What’s wrong with this place? Why isn’t it unbearably full?» my thought process looped like a broken record. I expected the landlord to wield a machete and ask what the hell I thought I was doing strutting in. But he didn’t. Even when I had a drink and a seat (things I’d taken as urban myths elsewhere) I took a while to relax.
And that’s just it. There was nothing wrong with the Vernon Arms. It was a tranquil oasis of calm with classic hits breaking up the Beatles on the jukebox and a fine selection of beers to be drank. Maybe if I wasn’t so allergic to enjoying myself I would have realised this straight away.

This pub takes its ale seriously, and doesn’t do things by halves. Wait there, it actually serves drinks in halves, so don’t get too confused. With six cask ale hand pumps, four of them constantly changing, Belgian bottled beers and ciders, Fruli and Hoegaarden on draught (yay!), guest ciders and local specialities, big screen sport to keep the mister entertained, live entertainment and good pub grub, it’s ticked all my boxes.
This lovely bar has just celebrated its first birthday, having reopened in April 2009 to much joy and delight, exceeding the average punter’s expectations. It originally closed in 2004, laying derelict, acting as a home to squatters with thieves having stolen the copper pipes and brass fittings, until it was lovingly restored by Jimmy Monaghan and his family who now run it.
Its political history was legendary, it’s thought to have been Derek Hatton’s favourite pub, and it was famously said that more decisions took place in that pub than in the council chamber. Now it maintains its reputation for being relaxed and ambient, and long may it continue. Do drop in for a pint or a half, it’s well worth it.

Pub has a new gaffer, who is keen on real ales, and is reopening this place with a view on the real ale market. He isn’t there yet. On our visit, there was no friendly welcome, and the beer range was uninspiringno microbrewery ales, for example. No hot food on Saturdays.