10th September, 2025

Being up in Manchester for one night for work, it seemed rude not to use the opportunity to pop into three favourite pubs which were close to the hotel.

The Peveril of the Peak

The Peveril of the Peak stands as one of Manchester’s most treasured pubs, celebrated for both its heritage and its charm. Built in the early 19th century, the pub was named after Peveril of the Peak (1823), a novel by Sir Walter Scott. Its unusual and striking green tiled façade was crafted by Minton Hollins & Co., making the building instantly recognisable and earning it status as one of the city’s most photographed pubs.

Unlike many urban pubs that were gutted or modernised during the 20th century, the Peveril has retained much of its original character. Inside, the pub preserves a traditional multi-room layout – a bar, snug, and lounge – featuring wood panelling, etched glass, and decorative tiling that evoke a bygone era.

Over the decades, the Peveril of the Peak has become a hub for a wide cross-section of Mancunians: from workers and musicians to students and theatre-goers from the nearby Bridgewater Hall. Despite changes in the city around it, “The Pev” has remained a constant social landmark, regularly appearing in “best pub” lists for Manchester.

Today, it is not just a place to enjoy real ales and hearty pub food, but also a living piece of the city’s cultural and architectural history – a Victorian pub that continues to thrive in the modern cityscape.

Beer wise, I had a half of Brightside’s Mancunian Hoppy Blonde (4.5%) and a half of Millstone’s Tiger Rut (4%), both of which were excellent. The pub is in the Good Beer Guide for 2025.

Cask, Deansgate

Nestled in the heart of Castlefield, directly opposite the Science & Industry Museum and just off Deansgate, Cask sits behind an unassuming bright-blue façade. The site was previously a motorbike shop and earlier, a weavers’ cottage. Its narrow, listed entrance remains intact, adding to the pub’s quirks and heritage appeal.

A beer lover’s paradise, Cask offers a tremendous selection of continental beers, German wheat beers, Belgian imports, Dutch lagers, and more, alongside local ales and rotating guest taps. There are around 15 keg lines and four handpumps available. It is also in the Good Beer Guide for 2025.

I managed to sample four good ales here as half pints: Coley’s Bitter (4%), Blackjack Brew Co’s Jack in the Box (4%), Thornbridge’s The Great Outdoors (3.4%) and Abbeydale’s Trailblazer (4.4%).

The Britons Protection

The Britons Protection is one of Manchester’s oldest surviving pubs, established in 1806. Its name is thought to reflect its historical role as a resting place for soldiers, or possibly as a nod to political events of the era. Architecturally, it retains many period features: stained glass, ornate tiling, and traditional wooden snugs, offering a glimpse into early 19th-century pub culture.

Over its long history, it has been a meeting point for a wide range of Mancunians — from workers and campaigners to musicians and students.

Like the nearby Peveril of the Peak, The Britons Protection has survived waves of redevelopment in Manchester’s city centre and remains a heritage landmark. Its location near the Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Central makes it popular with theatre-goers and concert audiences, ensuring that it continues to play a lively role in the city’s social scene.

I had a pint of Beartown’s Kodiak (4%).