There’s no shortage of shopping centres in Greater Manchester.
Each of the town centres in the 10 boroughs has at least one to their name, most likely more, and multiple still remain in the city centre itself, with Manchester Arndale being the third largest city centre shopping mall in Europe and attracting around 41 million visitors annually, and then of course the Trafford Centre – the UK’s third largest shopping mall – is known to welcome visitors through its doors from all over the world, not just the region.
When you grow up with or become accustomed to the scale of retail facilities, such as the latter two named, on your doorstep, it can be easy to forget what came before.
But these powerhouse shopping centres could still be considered relatively new in the grand scheme of things.
The Trafford Centre may have changed the face of 21st century retail in the region, but it only opened to the public in 1998, and although the Arndale has been around for a little longer, it’s still only 46 years old, with its doors having flung open in 1975, so where did the city’s shoppers head to before the mid-70s?
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Shopping arcades.
And one of those shopping arcades was the popular Lancaster Avenue Arcade.
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While shopping at a huge complex, or the rows of high street names dotted around and the high-end stores at New Cathedral Street leading to Selfridges, is now the norm, people in the city centre once got their retail therapy fix under glass-ceiled passageways.
These glass-ceiled passageways were built in the Victorian era, and were known as arcades.
They housed small and mostly independent shops in tiers, with balconies looking over the main shop floor and walk-through, and at the time of construction and in the height of their popularity, they were seen as symbols of modernity, with their innovative architectural design ushering in a new age of retail.
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At one point, in just Manchester city centre alone, there were five shopping arcades for visitors to choose from, but as you have probably predicted, they were lost to the urban developments that followed.
Lancaster Avenue Arcade was one of the centres to eventually meet its fate.
The arcade was situated across the way from Manchester Victoria Railway Station, between Todd Street and Fennel Street.
The classically-structured arcade was once a hidden gem, comprising of three tiered rows of shops, which included Olwen’s Stamp and Coin Centre, B.&M. Baker raincoat and casual wear manufacturers, Jim Murray trouser makers, along with Irwin Bros manufacturing jewellers and bullion dealers, to name just a few.
And while it served its purpose for the people of the city at the time, it eventually began to see customer numbers and footfall drop, leading to its permanent closure and demolition in the mid-70s.
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Nowadays, the National Football Museum in the Urbis Building stands in its place.
If the name Lancaster Avenue isn’t particularly ringing any bells for you though, that might be because you’re more familiar with its nickname.
While the arcade has now long been demolished and is considered to be a thing of the past by many, the abandoned cellars and tunnels that run underneath the city still remain, and have become a particular point of interest for so-called urban explorers. In this case, Beneath New Cathedral Street – which is now home to the Harvey Nichols department store – are cellars and passages that date back centuries, including one that served as a skittles gallery and shooting range, which then later became a cheese store.
This is why Lancaster Avenue was dubbed ‘Cheese Alley’ by locals.
If you make your way through Manchester city centre today though, only one of these Victorian-era shopping arcades still stands – Barton Arcade, which is tucked away adjoining St Ann’s Square and Deansgate.
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It houses a number of independent retailers and food outlets on the ground floor level, with the upper tiers being the base for several offices and businesses, but most-importantly though, it serves the purpose of representing the shopping arcade culture that once was.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Feature
The best cosy pubs in Manchester city centre to hide away on a winter’s day
Danny Jones
There’s no better feeling than being tucked up all warm and cosy in one of many wonderful pubs in Manchester on a cold day in Manchester, and we should know – we get more than our fair sharethroughout the year.
Wind, rain, sleet or snow, there’s nothing that a couple of pints in one of our many beloved boozers won’t remedy, and when it comes to the festive season, especially, there aren’t many places that make you feel as welcome as you would in your own front room like a proper cosy Manchester pub.
That’s why we’re giving you a heads-up on some of the very cosiest and most classic Manc pubs for you and yours to pile into when it’s miserable out.
We’ll cheers to that.
The 20 cosiest Manchester pubs
Let’s start with a personal favourite of ours that’s rather handily just around the corner from our office:
1. The Stables Tavern – St John’s
First up is one of our favourite new additions to Manchester’s growing list of cosy boozers, and possibly one of the most aesthetic ones you could dream up in your mind’s eye, and that is The Stables Tavern over in the fast-growing St John’s District.
It’s worth beginning by noting that these guys do booze first – be it mugs of mulled wine or frothy pints of Guinness and local ales – but you can grab a little pasty or even a winter bake at this time of year, which we would argue is the perfect pub snack. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re seriously missing out.
Credit: Adam Fagen (via Flickr)Credit: The Manc GroupStumble out of one and straight into the other.
Next up is The Vine Inn: another Manc office favourite that gives you the perfect blend of ‘old man pub’ vibes but with the kind of mass appeal that sees countless punters piling into the pub and crowding outside on the streets, it’s that loved.
Luckily, you should be able to squeeze inside when the temperatures drop as it’s spread across three quaint, almost mini-floors (with two separate bars, by the way) that make it feel kind of like a beer bungalow, and that’s why it’s one of the cosiest pubs you’ll find in Manchester.
3. Lass O’Gowrie – Oxford Road Corridor
Credit: The Manc GroupSo long as you’re wrapped up properly, that little outside bit is one of the cosiest pub spots in Manchester (Credit: Lass O’Gowrie via IG)
“I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour”, so the song goes, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Morrissey was singing about the Lass when he wrote this; there’s always plenty of cheering, laughing – and, most importantly, drinking in this popular city centre boozer.
Located just off Oxford Road, it offers everything from big screens showing the footy, hearty roast dinners perfect for this time of year, live comedy, music and more. What you’d call a traditional Manc pub kitted out with local memorabilia and filled with good people, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
4. The Circus Tavern – Portland Street
This is Manchester’s smallest pub, and as if that wasn’t cool enough, it’s also one of the oldest pubs in the region, so it’s a must-see if you ask us. A perfect little hobbit hole to cram in when it’s cold outside.
Built back in 1790, The Circus Tavern became a pub in 1840 and has been frequented by the likes of Georgie Best and many other famous Man United players down the years, many of whom you’ll see photos of on the walls. A tourist spot in its own right and, needless to say, very cosy indeed.
5. Mr Thomas’/Sam’s Chop House – Central
Just off Cross Street on the corner of Back Pool Fold, you’ll find what is, for our money, one of the ultimate cosy pubs you’ll find anywhere in Manchester city centre: Mr Thomas’ Chop House, a.k.a. ‘Old Tom’s’ — and then, head literally across the road and you’ll find its twin, Sam’s Chop House.
Set up by the Studd brothers of the same name, these two sibling boozers have been serving Mancs for over 150 years now and have grown a glowing reputation both for the beautiful condition of their historic bars and for their incredible food. If it was good enough for Lowry, it’s good enough for us.
Comfortably two of the cosiest pubs in town. (Credit: Tom’s Chop House via IG/The Manc)
6. The Marble Arch Inn – Ancoats
Heading over beyond Ancoats way and onto Rochdale Road, we have the birthplace of Marble Brewery and the company’s award-winning flagship venue, The Marble Arch. If you’re up for doing a winter’s day ‘the right way’, then The Marble Arch has to be involved.
With its gorgeous mosaic floors, ornate bar, nine hand-pull pumps serving brewery-fresh cask beer, eight carefully selected keg lines on rotation and a partridge in a pear tree, it’s simply one of the prettiest and most traditional pubs you could ask for. The food’s mega too.
Heading over to Salford now, and we’ve got another beautiful boozer in The Kings Arms: a long-standing and simply sublime pub located not too far out of the city centre that’s well worth running into if you’re over that way and happen to get caught in the wind and rain.
Owned by adopted Manc musician Paul Heaton and made even more famous by live-in celebrity cat, Charlie, this real ale house with six curated hand pumps is a Manchester institution, not to mention great for live music and stand-up. Come on, what’s more cosy than a pub that comes with its own cat?
Sticking in Salford for a spell but down the road to Bexley Square, we always feel the lovely little spot that is The New Oxford never gets anywhere near as much credit as it should, given its charm and incredible lineup of real ales and Belgian beers.
Situated on a scenic cobbled corner that could easily be mistaken for some rural road in a small Cheshire village, this place is always packed with footy fans and a few extras in its courtyard during the summer months, but the regulars always know what’s up — not to mention they do a decent pint of Guinness too.
In case you missed it, @thenewoxfordpub over in Salford has a lick of paint and then some! 🤩
With renovators working round the clock for three weeks straight, the beloved local boozer is back open and looking better than ever.
Described as having the ‘oldest pub ceiling in the world’, you can collapse into a comforting armchair by the fire and muse over The Crown Kettle‘s 286-year-old history, pint in hand and plenty of tunes filling the room for sure.
With live music and DJ sets, regular beer-centric events, bingo, the odd pub quiz and plenty more, it’s no surprise this almost statuesque Manchester drinking staple has been named one of the best in the region — and it’s plenty cosy too, believe us.
Not just a super cosy pub but apparently one of the best reviewed watering holes in the region.
10. Peveril Of The Peak – Central
If you close your eyes and picture a proper English pub, there’ll be round tables, old tiles stained with decades of history, an unbeatable selection of beer, and a jukebox that’s regularly manned by loveable regulars who always make sure to keep the room filled with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.
That’s exactly what you get with the Peveril Of The Peak: an iconic Manc boozer whose green exterior you can spot from a mile away. It’s only a small gaff but packed with plenty of history, all the best people, and it’s still being looked after by the city’s longest-serving landlady to this day. A good old gaff.
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Hallowed, cosy and homely – truly one of the most legendary pubs in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc)
11. The Briton’s Protection – Central
From one historic pub to another, you can head over to Great Bridgewater Street and channel your inner Tommy Shelby as you neck a neat bit of bourbon or scotch to warm the cockles and listen to the crackling flames of the open fires at The Britons Protection.
Another oldie but a goldie, the Briton was established in 1811 and has remained a local favourite snug pub ever since, showcasing over 300 whiskies as well as homemade pies and pasties at lunch. This piece of public house heritage has been under threat for a while now, but we Mancs are keeping it alive.
Come on, as if we were going to leave out not only a contender for the ultimate cosy pub but possibly the very best boozer in all of Manchester. As well as serving comfortably the best Guinness in all the 10 boroughs and supposedly ‘the best outside of Ireland’, it’s also just everything you want on a cold day.
With live music every day, sport on the box pretty much 24/7; multiple lovely little nooks and more than enough bodies to keep the place warm even in the height of winter, not to mention a whole new second floor, Mulligans of Deansgate is now twice the worldie it already was. Sláinte!
An award-winning music venue and a bloody good pub, ditch the open-air venues and stuffy bars this winter and dip into the cosy Eagle Inn instead and bask in its comforting warmth.
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Combining a traditional pub that delivers a real sense of ‘old Manchester’ with live music and three small rooms off a central corridor with a central bar — historically known by locals as ‘The Lamp Oil’ — The Eagle can’t really be called Salford’s hidden gem anymore: it’s a rite of passage at this point.
Heading over the other side of the Irwell and to the picturesque canals of Castlefield, waterside pub and restaurant The Wharf is undoubtedly one of the cosiest pubs in Manchester, with the ground floor feeling like one big lounge, the upstairs making for the perfect cosy date night spot and the outdoor terrace just as much a dream in winter as it is summer.
With amazing pub grub, a massive and ever-rotating drinks menu, as well as a patio that feels just as warming as the indoors with its big tipi and overhead heaters come winter, plus live music, hosting local clubs and various other events throughout the year, this place has it all. Plenty of cute pups, too.
Back into the centre now and toward Gay Village for what remains one of the most cosy-feeling pubs we’ve ever been in full stop, let alone just in 0161. If you’ve never been to The Molly House, then you seriously need to right that wrong.
With a name that harks back to a fascinating backstory, there’s nothing more welcoming than the sight of the open hearth, the waft of their irresistible tapas menu, the glow of their multi-coloured Tiffany-style lampshades and a drinks menu to suit all tastes. It’s even better at Christmas – enjoy!
Just a couple of blocks over and back onto Portland Street, you’ve also got the Circus Tavern’s equally pokey little neighbour, The Grey Horse Inn. Once again, it’s among the smallest you’ll find in Manchester, but it’s much more than a mere hole in the wall.
This single-room pub is one of the oldest buildings anywhere in Manchester and is run by Hydes Brewery. Basically just one not-so-big living room plonked right along one of the busiest roads in the city, this place is another very thing slice of Manc hospitality history.
Credit: Grey Horse Inn (via Facebook)
17. Cask – Castlefield and New Islington Marina
Circling back towards Castlefield again, you’ll find the original Cask and its lovely owners, who have been serving local crafts and fine Belgian imports for over two decades now. The staff are beyond sound and always happy to talk you through the lineup; they even let you bring in your chippy from next door.
With a nice little garden area tucked away in the back, cosy booths and board games to be enjoyed, it’s no wonder they wanted to replicate their success with the sister bar over towards Ancoats and the Marina — and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Two very welcoming spots all year round.
18. The Bay Horse Tavern – Northern Quarter
Not too far from there, you’ll find an NQ favourite in The Bay Horse Tavern: two floors of pure warmth, good vibes, proper food and a steady flow of the good stuff.
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From its twinkly fairly light-draped interior to the perfectly dim-lit interior and variety or deals running throughout the week, the Thomas Street staple is busy no matter the season but there’s something very special about it in the winter. Top-tier Sunday roasts incoming.
Looks super pretty at this time of yearThey even still serve Boddies.Unreal food too.Credit: The Bay Horse Tavern (via Instagram)/The Manc Group
19. The Old Wellington – Exchange Square
Our penultimate stop is yet another historic site and cultural cornerstone that stood in Manchester for centuries — just not quite the same spot. Shambles Square feels fitting given how many times we’ve stumbled out of this place of a weekend.
Famously put up on stilts and relocated along with the attached Sinclairs Oyster Bar (also not a bad shout for this list), The Old Wellington might just be the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in Ye Olde England, stumbling across a tavern and bedding in on a rainy night with tankards full of mead. At least that’s what we always imagine when we’re in there, anyway. Long live The Old Welly.
Last but by no means least, no list of cosy Manchester pubs is complete without the always popular and music-filled Castle Hotel over on Oldham Street — another storied venue that only seems to get better with age.
Whether it’s live music or the jukebox, a solid Guinness or a pint of Robinson’s, this tightly-packed space is one of those where you’ll never leave without bumping into a familiar face or having a friendly chat with a total stranger. With multiple rooms, an upstairs and a simple but classic British pub aesthetic, you just can’t beat spots like this.
We hope that puts you in good stead for places to enjoy a cold one this winter, pardon the pun.
It goes without saying that lists like these are never going to every corner of Manchester justice and there are countless other cosy pubs that we would heartily recommend you settle in at when it’s baltic outside, but the list would go on forever if we did that and this should get you started at least.
The same goes for the rest of the 10 boroughs; we’re sure wherever you live in Greater Manchester you’ll know plenty more than us about the cosiest spots near you, but in case you’re looking to venture further out of the region, we’ve put together a list of a few corkers that are a bit more out of the way.
Featured Images – The Bay Horse Tavern/Kings Arms (via Instagram)/Amie Johnson (via Unsplash)
Feature
Interview | New Salford rugby league co-owner Mason Caton-Brown on the future of phoenix club
Danny Jones
This month, we had the privilege of conducting an interview with the new co-owner of Salford RLFC and ex-Red Devils star, Mason Caton-Brown, who is part of the ‘Phoenix Bid’ consortium helping bring back the rugby league club.
A former winger turned entrepreneur, Mason Caton-Brown is now a joint director within the organisation alongside two other main business partners – one of whom he says is responsible for spearheading the resurrection in the first place.
That man is Paul Hancock – a native Salfordian and die-hard Red Devils fan for more than three decades – whose company, PH Services, has already sponsored the local sporting institution for several years.
Mason told us that, as well as having followed their financial struggles in recent times, he has been speaking to Hancock regularly for some time now, with the latter suggesting the prospect of stepping in to salvage the situation in the last couple of months.
They should be back up and running in time for the 2026 rugby league season.
“We’d just been casually speaking about it up until about five or six weeks ago”, says the Enfield-born athlete and businessman.
“We wanted to try and come up with a solution of what we could do to try and help, so we put together a group of people, and since then, it’s been late nights and early mornings every day, putting together this plan and a group of people that can you know rebuild Salford in a way where the city can be proud of it.”
Stressing the importance of building a “sustainable” strategy – as opposed to the false promises of the previous ‘investors’ who failed to rescue the club – it’s clear the consortium has a core group of principles they’re looking to stick by.
But Mason was quick to share credit and recognise that “it was Paul’s idea.”
“He’d been sitting on it for a while now, just thinking in his mind of how to try and save the club, to help them however he could. And yeah: he reached out; we were meeting for other business things, and he put it to me, and I said ‘definitely’.
“I think it’s not just about having an ex-player in there either, there are other people involved as well. It’s the fans; they are supporters who have been following this club for 20-odd years. They’re the other members in this group, and fundamentally, it’s going to be a transparent, honest club.”
For me personally”, Mason continued, “it’s a bit of a dream come true to be able to be a part of a club as a player, and now being able to help rebuild is kind of a dream.
“I moved up here as a 21-year-old kid, fresh-faced player; I still have a house in the area, and I still live in the city, and it kind of just embraced me. I was from London, so obviously a big capital city, and I came to Salford, and I was welcomed with open arms.
“The people, the club and the wider community helped me become who I am today; I have my businesses there as well, so it’s a big part of my life, and to be back involved with the club is just brilliant.”
The conversation quickly moved on to what’s next for the club and, specifically, the prospect of rebranding and potentially even a new name for Salford’s rugby league side.
After all, the ‘phoenix’ motif and wider concept are already right there for the taking.
However, if there was ever any doubt among any part of the fan base that the 32-year-old is, indeed, a business person these days and experienced enough in this department, that was quickly snuffed out in his response.
He’s even more committed to the club than his days as a teammate. (Credit: Supplied via Rumpus PR)
Mason was pretty tight-lipped when pressed on the notion of a new badge and possibly even a new name for the 152-year-old team, and rightly so – put simply, he says, “We want to get it right.”
“So, obviously, we’re going to stay Salfordian at the centre of everything, and we don’t want to just announce something; it will still be a Salford club.”
He took a similar tack when asked about the staff and a new squad. Despite the Phoenix Bid having already assured pre-agreements with a head coach and several players, he wouldn’t budge on any names or hints, simply stating that the group plans to make some announcements before the New Year.
“Our first aim is stability and security”, he says. “Putting the fans first, bringing the fans back together, and just building something that the fans can be proud of. Locally, it’ll be good to get the community involved, and long term, obviously, our goal is to get the club back into the Super League.
“That would be an amazing story for the club. We’ve seen it happen with other clubs like Bradford [Bulls] and Hull KR, so that’s there, but for now we want to steady, get the supporters involved and provide value for he fans.
Citing that first game back and returning to Championship level against regional rivals Oldham RLFC, they’re hoping to make it “a real celebration.”
Sharing a statement via their new social media account, SRLFC wrote: “The hard work starts now. We’ve promised to build a strong, sustainable future for rugby league in Salford, one that protects our heritage and ensures the next generation has a club to be proud of.
“We know how much this club means. We’ve all felt the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hope. That’s why this moment matters so much because together, we get to start again. Our plan is simple: honesty, transparency, and community first.
“This is about rebuilding properly, step by step and doing it the right way. We’re asking for your patience, support, and belief. There will be challenges ahead, but there will also be incredible moments that remind us why we love this game. This is for the fans. For Salford. Forever.”
If it does come to pass, it won’t be the only big rebrand taking place in the city…
A closer look at the details behind the new #SalfordCity club crest. 🦁
Emily Sergeant -
18th February 2021 
