The Crown & Kettle

Ancoats is almost completely unrecognisable from 20 years ago. In the late-1990s and post-millennium noughties, the area was all-but-abandoned, luring brave party heads in via the legendary Sankeys Soap nightclub (latterly, just Sankeys) and a seemingly never-ending calendar of illegal raves and warehouse parties. Today, it’s all apartments and Michelin-starred restaurants, a beautifully developed marina and waterside bars. But not everything has changed. Take the Crown & Kettle, for example. 

One of the neighbourhood’s most iconic addresses — just down the road from one of Manchester’s most celebrated landmarks, The Express Building — the Crown & Kettle is a Grade II-listed boozer and proud to be a proper pub for proper pints. According to CAMRA — the UK’s Campaign for Real Ale — this place is listed as having “outstanding conversion or restoration”, meaning a sympathetic 2005 overhaul following years of dereliction after a devastating fire, and subsequent 2020 update, have lost none of the place’s original 19th Century charm. Gothic in style, large traceried windows and ornate plasterwork on the interior ceiling are just a few of the standout features. 

Recognised among the best pubs in the North West at Britain’s National Pub & Bar Awards, once you’ve finished ogling the incredible stone columns the bar itself is something to contend with. You’ll find around 20 lagers, ales, ciders, wheat and fruit brews served, and the selection regularly changes with the seasons to showcase some of the very best independent breweries from across the country and Europe. So, a great place for an extended session if you really want to explore unique hops. Centrally located, within walking distance of Piccadilly and Victoria railways stations, Shudehill and Piccadilly Gardens tram and bus interchanges, the Crown & Kettle also hosts kitchen take-overs with leading Manchester eateries, quiz nights, dog socials, vintage markets, live music, beer festivals, and regularly screens live sports.