Smithfield Market Tavern

Good tavern, had just the right noise/​people level. Bar staff friendly and there’s a good selection of ale, including the full range of Blackjack beers of course. Noticed a fair selection of foreign bottles as well. They have a dart board and some other kind of bar game. I’d probably pick here over Port St Beer House from now on, because it’s nice to go somewhere with a bit more space.

A new breed of local at the top of town. Black Jack Beers pub on Swan Street has kept the sedate feel of a local pub but updated the interior and added their quality selection of beers both on keg and cask. Some charcuterie and pies on offer and a warm gas fire in the rear of the pub.

Smithfield Market Tavern harks back to the days of the ‘proper boozer’ — if this had been open when smoking was allowed inside, it would be the place where the smell was woven into the fabric. Not in a bad way, but in a very comforting and familiar way…
It’s simple in terms of decorations but this doesn’t detract from the atmosphere whatsoever. It’s the kind of place where you can hunker down for the afternoon or evening (much as we did last Friday night) and put the world to rights.
Bar staff are very friendly and allowing of numerous tasters if you’re not sure what you’d like, though be aware the calculations are done on a calculator as opposed to automatic till so it might take an extra few minutes for your order to be put through!
Blackjack obviously dominates the taps, though they do have some very tasty cider on offer, and a few rotating options also. The bar is one of my favourite pieces as the owner of Blackjack basically knocked it up in 24 hours and then they were good to go!
Great for individuals, couples and groups — which can be rare to find — it’s high on my list of city centre watering holes.

I popped by Smithfield Tavern on Saturday to meet some friends for a drink or two.
It’s a great ‘pub’ — something which Manchester lacks — situated just at the start of Great Ancoats Street, close to the NOMA development.
Neil C. was pleased that it’s Blackjack brewery owned, and therefore sells some of his favourite ales.
Some old fashioned pub games set out on the side just made the experience even better. I like this place.

Those already familiar with Blackjack Beers and their monthly brew taps will have some idea what to expect from the new/​old pub they’re now in charge of.
Having only received the keys about three weeks ago, from what we saw at their launch night they’ve achieved an awful lot in a short space of time. Old tattered seating has been ripped out, walls moved and painted, new lighting installed and a myriad of mix-​matched furniture delivered. It was great to see some painted wooden pallets used as well, a nice nod (or an economic design decision?) to their Gould Street brew tap site.
Granted, there are still some parts to finish off properly and some walls are looking a tad bare, which they’ll attend to as they bed in a bit more, but seriously, hats off to them for an incredible transformation!
They’ve plenty of keg beers, a super-​looking selection of bottles and six cask ales — together with a small number of spirits and wine you can order by the glass. Some of their own beers are on tap (obviously) as well as some guests which will rotate.
There’s a dart board, table skittles and other games and I’m sure they plan to eventually have live music here, they could just about squeeze them in.
A reinvigorated pub that’s definitely worth the 10 minute walk from Piccadilly Gardens.
Tip: follow them on Twitter @TheSmithfieldNQ for updates.