Ancoats boozer The Crown and Kettle has been named among the best pubs in the north west, it has been revealed.
The historic Ancoats pub, famed for its intricately designed and very old ceiling, was acknowledged as part of the 2023 National Pub & Bar Award this week.
One of the oldest pubs in Manchester, it scooped a prestigious County Winner title which saw it listed alongside four other venues in the north west.
It is the only pub in Greater Manchester to be recognised ahead of the final awards ceremony, which takes place in June.
The other pubs to make the list are The Bay Horse Inn in Cumbria, The Swan at Marbury in Cheshire, The White Bull at Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, and The Windmill, Southport in Merseyside.
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Built in 1736, the Crown & Kettle has welcomed hundreds of thousands through its doors in the past 287 years.
It’s survived just about everything in that time, from global catastrophes to drunk journalists (who’d pop down after – or during – their shifts at the neighbouring Daily Express offices).
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In nearly three centuries, the closest Crown & Kettle has come to complete closure was it fell victim to an arson attack in 1990.
Image: The Crown and Kettle
Image: The Crown and Kettle
A blaze tore through the building and inflicted severe damage, but after more than 15 years lying dormant, the pub went on to make a full recovery.
Crown & Kettle continues to thrive today as one of Manchester’s most beloved and longstanding boozers – and this month its excellence has been acknowledged in a whole new way.
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Speaking on the awards, Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, said: “We were overwhelmed by the level and quality of entries this year.
“It just goes to show what magnificent work is going on across the UK hospitality sector.
“With outrageous energy costs, recruitment shortages and a punishing taxation system, these businesses are once again facing tough times. Now, more than ever, it’s vital that people support their local pubs and bars. So, ahead of the long Easter weekend, why not check out the finest in your county?”
Featured image – Google Maps
Eats
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as naughty
Danny Jones
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked that finally landed in Manchester this month – or, more accurately, the massive lines that followed.
Well, what if we told you were about to do the same all over again very soon?
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Credit: Get Baked (via Instagram)
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES! Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar’, people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Our friends over at The Hoot weren’t lying when they said this place was going to make a big splash when it landed in 0161 – and no, we won’t be telling you how much we’ve spent there already.
As for the Pistachio Bertha, Get Baked has confirmed that although there will only be a limited amount of portions up for grabs, it will be available both in person and to order online.
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
We’re also glad to hear she is on the mend following a recent health scare; we hope she eats as many slices of Pistachio Bertha as possible to celebrate. Big love and stay healthy – The Manc x
Featured Images — Get Baked (via Instagram)/The Manc Group
Eats
Cult burger brand Burger & Beyond announced as second trader for new Manchester food hall
Daisy Jackson
House of Social, a new two-storey food hall being built in Manchester, has just announced its second trader as Burger & Beyond.
The huge new development, part of Vita’s new student accommodation tower, had already confirmed that Curry Mile legends Mughli will be moving in when it launches.
And now it’s been announced that cult burger brand Burger & Beyond will be opening its first location outside London here in Manchester.
Set to open this summer in the First Street area, House of Social will bring together independent food offerings from around the UK.
It’s all being created by Jake Atkinson, the former operations manager of the widely popular Mackie Mayor, Altrincham Market and Macclesfield’s Picturedrome – all of which serve as the blueprint for a successful food hall.
Jake said: “We are incredibly excited to have Burger & Beyond join us at House of Social. Their reputation for quality and consistency is second to none, and they’ve been on my list for a very long time!
“We know they’ll be a huge hit with our community of students and food lovers in the city. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to bring them to Manchester this summer.”
Burger & Beyond started life as a food truck a decade ago, popping up at street food markets and enterprises like Street Feast and KERB, now argued by many to be the best burgers in London, served alongside a menu of milkshakes and sides like fried chicken bites.
Burger & Beyond is coming to Manchester. Credit: Lateef PhotographyFried chicken bites from Burger & Beyond
They’ve also collaborated with the likes of social sensation Laurent Dagenais, Flat Iron, Richard Turner and Smokestak.
Burger & Beyond founders Tom Stock and Craig Povoas went on to open their first permanent restaurant in Shoreditch in 2018, expanding further to Borough Yards and Soho.
And now it’s Manchester’s turn to see what all the Burger & Beyond fuss is about.
A signature dish heading up north to House of Social will be the bacon butter burger – dry aged beef patty, double American cheese, crispy pancetta, burnt butter mayo and onion.
Tom Stock, Co-Founder of Burger & Beyond, commented: “After years of dreaming about bringing Burger & Beyond to new cities, we’re thrilled to finally be making our Manchester debut at House of Social.
“The city has such a vibrant food scene, and we’re looking forward to sharing our burgers with a whole new audience. It’s going to be a fantastic summer!”
Burger and Beyond will open at House of Social, First Street in Summer 2025.
Georgina Pellant -
5th April 2023 
