CLOSED JANUARY 2011
Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton.
It is reasonably well placed as a stop off point between the 'four banks' area and Beech Road (albeit much nearer the former). Argyles (sans apostrophe) is a very modern looking bar, and as such it lacks any real warmth. The interior is quite stark, in the style of some city centre bars that were popular in the 90s (think Berlin, Prague V or Dry Bar). The cocktail menu is extensive, but there was only one hand pump serving real ale when I visited. The bottled beer selection was also pretty uninspiring.
This bar is fine for a quick drink, but not really the sort of place you would want to spend an entire evening. The menu looks alright, and there is a decent beer garden at the back of the building.
Showing posts with label marble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marble. Show all posts
AQSA Chippy & Spice Grill
Great Stone Road, Stretford.
CLOSED -Lasted about 6 Months.
JUNE 2010 - They had no curries or kebabs (except elephants foot doner) - I left. Seems they're concentrating on the chippy sifde of things, shame.
Well no sooner did we review Yianni’s than it closed – days later it reopened as AQSA (an Islamic holy place in Jerusalem – if you’re interested). It’s a bit hard to tell what’s going on here. After literally 2 days closed this place has reopened as something else. Seemingly a Pakistani kebab/chippy place. Which is something we’ve never encountered before, hence it's in the sundries section. They’ve kept most of the fixtures from before – even the menu on the wall, presumably that at least will be changed in the near future. The only obvious difference from the front is the removal of the grill (precisely what I’d do when opening a ‘Spicy Grill’!). however in its place is pretty much the only thing better – a tandoor. The draw back to this is that it seems everything will be cooked in the tandoor and to save time the large seekhs or kobedas (hard to tell) were pre-cooked then microwaved. It wasn’t until this process was happening that I saw the fresh stuff hanging up in the fridge - skewers of meat, chicken legs and chops. Onion bhajis wand samosas looked home made and rather than the usual microwaving were crisped up in the chippy fryer. I love it when a plan comes together! I’ve really no idea how this place will work out – it may try hard and be good or lower standards and end up pre-cooking and microwaving everything. Hard to tell at the moment. Lets hope the latter.
CLOSED -Lasted about 6 Months.
JUNE 2010 - They had no curries or kebabs (except elephants foot doner) - I left. Seems they're concentrating on the chippy sifde of things, shame.
Well no sooner did we review Yianni’s than it closed – days later it reopened as AQSA (an Islamic holy place in Jerusalem – if you’re interested). It’s a bit hard to tell what’s going on here. After literally 2 days closed this place has reopened as something else. Seemingly a Pakistani kebab/chippy place. Which is something we’ve never encountered before, hence it's in the sundries section. They’ve kept most of the fixtures from before – even the menu on the wall, presumably that at least will be changed in the near future. The only obvious difference from the front is the removal of the grill (precisely what I’d do when opening a ‘Spicy Grill’!). however in its place is pretty much the only thing better – a tandoor. The draw back to this is that it seems everything will be cooked in the tandoor and to save time the large seekhs or kobedas (hard to tell) were pre-cooked then microwaved. It wasn’t until this process was happening that I saw the fresh stuff hanging up in the fridge - skewers of meat, chicken legs and chops. Onion bhajis wand samosas looked home made and rather than the usual microwaving were crisped up in the chippy fryer. I love it when a plan comes together! I’ve really no idea how this place will work out – it may try hard and be good or lower standards and end up pre-cooking and microwaving everything. Hard to tell at the moment. Lets hope the latter.
Odd, Odder & Oddest
Thomas St.
Oxford Rd.
Wilbraham Rd., Chorlton
This small Manchester chain is not bad as self consciously quirky places go – it seems a little bit contradictory to have a chain based on being different but that’s the bar world for you. In reality the only thing different about these places are eclectic ornaments that are in every nook and cranny and black and white films playing silently on large screens. The smaller Thomas Str. and Chorlton branches, Odd and Oddest, are our favourites with the Oxford Road venue, Odder, being a little too similar to the nearby establishments, Revolution and Kro2, for our liking. So why go at all? Well they do a variety of ale, reasonably priced food and are basically pretty good as bars go. If you want somewhere a bit livelier and, for want of a better term, younger than the nearest decent pub these are places you can go and still get a good pint.
Oxford Rd.
Wilbraham Rd., Chorlton
This small Manchester chain is not bad as self consciously quirky places go – it seems a little bit contradictory to have a chain based on being different but that’s the bar world for you. In reality the only thing different about these places are eclectic ornaments that are in every nook and cranny and black and white films playing silently on large screens. The smaller Thomas Str. and Chorlton branches, Odd and Oddest, are our favourites with the Oxford Road venue, Odder, being a little too similar to the nearby establishments, Revolution and Kro2, for our liking. So why go at all? Well they do a variety of ale, reasonably priced food and are basically pretty good as bars go. If you want somewhere a bit livelier and, for want of a better term, younger than the nearest decent pub these are places you can go and still get a good pint.
The Bar
Wilbraham Road, Chorlton
September 2012 - I don't eat here often. Instead of a 'main' I went for 2 hot bar 'snacks'. They were massive! Beef chilli nachos and Pulled pork with corn fritters. I'm not complaining, I really enjoyed them and was stuffed. Good fun. Should've realised they wouldn't be tiny at £5-7 ish each but I didn't. Ah who cares? Not me.
July 2011 - Perhaps the whole coffee and cake thing has gone too far. A new fridge on the bar to dsiplay cakes.
FEB 2011 - Still a pretty regular haunt of ours, nothing much changes (other than staff). This suites us fine - no change is good.
April 2010. The bar at The Bar has gone through a bit of a revamp with all the keg stuff being shifted to the right of the central pillar and the cask to the left. There are now around 20 beers on tap and apparently the small area to the far left of the bar (currently featuring large leather couches) is getting some more 'ale conducive' furniture. As regular patrons we're pleased with the ale situation and hope the change in layout works well.
General Stuff
The Bar is about as close to a good pub as you can realistically get without being one. It’s got the beer, the regulars, the worn in vibe, decent staff, food and pretty much everything else you want in a good pub – only it’s a bar not a pub. Which is kind of the problem with Chorlton in general really. However, for a good few years The Bar has led the way with its approach (very similar to and with the same owner as Knott Bar on Deansgate) to real ale drinking establishments in this area. If you can get over the things that all bars of this type have in common – massive windows, no carpets and hence annoyingly loud acoustics, big open spaces instead of little rooms – to cut a long story short, that they are in fact bars and not pubs, then you could be on to a really good thing. The Marble Beerhouse and The Bar have been vying for Chorlton’s top spot for a number of years and long may they continue, though the competition is getting stronger.
September 2012 - I don't eat here often. Instead of a 'main' I went for 2 hot bar 'snacks'. They were massive! Beef chilli nachos and Pulled pork with corn fritters. I'm not complaining, I really enjoyed them and was stuffed. Good fun. Should've realised they wouldn't be tiny at £5-7 ish each but I didn't. Ah who cares? Not me.
July 2011 - Perhaps the whole coffee and cake thing has gone too far. A new fridge on the bar to dsiplay cakes.
FEB 2011 - Still a pretty regular haunt of ours, nothing much changes (other than staff). This suites us fine - no change is good.
April 2010. The bar at The Bar has gone through a bit of a revamp with all the keg stuff being shifted to the right of the central pillar and the cask to the left. There are now around 20 beers on tap and apparently the small area to the far left of the bar (currently featuring large leather couches) is getting some more 'ale conducive' furniture. As regular patrons we're pleased with the ale situation and hope the change in layout works well.
General Stuff
The Bar is about as close to a good pub as you can realistically get without being one. It’s got the beer, the regulars, the worn in vibe, decent staff, food and pretty much everything else you want in a good pub – only it’s a bar not a pub. Which is kind of the problem with Chorlton in general really. However, for a good few years The Bar has led the way with its approach (very similar to and with the same owner as Knott Bar on Deansgate) to real ale drinking establishments in this area. If you can get over the things that all bars of this type have in common – massive windows, no carpets and hence annoyingly loud acoustics, big open spaces instead of little rooms – to cut a long story short, that they are in fact bars and not pubs, then you could be on to a really good thing. The Marble Beerhouse and The Bar have been vying for Chorlton’s top spot for a number of years and long may they continue, though the competition is getting stronger.
The Famous Trevor Arms
Beech Rd. Chorlton
Since The Beech’s problems have made it a less than desirable destination (certainly for the moment) the Trevor is the only truly old style pub that sells real ale – the others being Lloyds and the revamped Horse & Jockey – both OK but very modern in their approach. The Trevor’s a fine old style place – not fancy or pretentious and in a grand old building. It has elements which some would find off-putting - quiz machines and big teles showing football, but that can be an important chunk of revenue for a lot of pubs – and the last thing we want are more disappearing. A welcome change from the generic bars and a good venue to watch the match.
Since The Beech’s problems have made it a less than desirable destination (certainly for the moment) the Trevor is the only truly old style pub that sells real ale – the others being Lloyds and the revamped Horse & Jockey – both OK but very modern in their approach. The Trevor’s a fine old style place – not fancy or pretentious and in a grand old building. It has elements which some would find off-putting - quiz machines and big teles showing football, but that can be an important chunk of revenue for a lot of pubs – and the last thing we want are more disappearing. A welcome change from the generic bars and a good venue to watch the match.
O’Shea’s Irish Bar
Whitworth Street
Pretty big, Irish themed, serves a lot of Guinness, has a bit of music and shows the football. Not really a venue for those wanting a pint of real ale in interesting surroundings. However, if any of the points above appeal it might prove a reasonable watering hole – and certainly preferable to official ‘Sports’ bars for watching the tele - but, to be fair, that isn't difficult.
Pretty big, Irish themed, serves a lot of Guinness, has a bit of music and shows the football. Not really a venue for those wanting a pint of real ale in interesting surroundings. However, if any of the points above appeal it might prove a reasonable watering hole – and certainly preferable to official ‘Sports’ bars for watching the tele - but, to be fair, that isn't difficult.
The Sedge Lynn
Barlow Moor Rd., Chorlton
Well it serves real ale, it’s got a really interesting front and it’s right near the Marble Beerhouse in Chorlton – so it must be good? Well yes and no. It's a Weatherspoons - which on the positive side means it's really cheap and they have loads of ale. The negatvie side to this is that they're usually huge and often a bit lacking in charisma. The beer is variable but OK. It can make a nice change if you've got sick of trendy haircuts in Chorlton.
Well it serves real ale, it’s got a really interesting front and it’s right near the Marble Beerhouse in Chorlton – so it must be good? Well yes and no. It's a Weatherspoons - which on the positive side means it's really cheap and they have loads of ale. The negatvie side to this is that they're usually huge and often a bit lacking in charisma. The beer is variable but OK. It can make a nice change if you've got sick of trendy haircuts in Chorlton.
Marble Beer House
Manchester Rd, Chorlton.
The Marble Beer House has been one of the key real ale bars in Chorlton for a number of years. It was once great, and is finally emerging from the doldrums after a refurbishment and some very strong competition from other local bars drove some punters away. The range of beers is excellent, with some interesting guest ales from all over the country. It also offers a number of Marble beers because this is part of the Marble 'empire', with its sister bar being the Marble Arch in town on Rochdale Road. One of the strengths of this bar is the fact that it does not serve food (aside from crisps and Bombay Mix style snacks). It is solidly a drinking establishment, and the emphasis is on real ale, decent continental draft and bottled beers, and real ciders. The terrace at the front is a great place to watch the world go by, and the location of this bar is very good because it is close to other bars and the crossroads in Chorlton. This is a bit of a Chorlton institution, so let's hope it continues to be such a great place to go for a drink.
The Marble Beer House has been one of the key real ale bars in Chorlton for a number of years. It was once great, and is finally emerging from the doldrums after a refurbishment and some very strong competition from other local bars drove some punters away. The range of beers is excellent, with some interesting guest ales from all over the country. It also offers a number of Marble beers because this is part of the Marble 'empire', with its sister bar being the Marble Arch in town on Rochdale Road. One of the strengths of this bar is the fact that it does not serve food (aside from crisps and Bombay Mix style snacks). It is solidly a drinking establishment, and the emphasis is on real ale, decent continental draft and bottled beers, and real ciders. The terrace at the front is a great place to watch the world go by, and the location of this bar is very good because it is close to other bars and the crossroads in Chorlton. This is a bit of a Chorlton institution, so let's hope it continues to be such a great place to go for a drink.
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