Manchester Pub Crawl 4 - Sinclair's Oyster Bar, City Centre - to Flok Bar Stevenson Sq. (10 Pubs)

Manchester Pub Crawls Crawl Four In the true city centre from Sinclair's Oyster Bar, The Shambles to The Flok Bar Stevenson Square Having lived in Manchester for most of our lives, we feel that we know the pubs here very well. We organise pub crawls of the city at least twice a year, with around 30 to 40 friends joining us. We have listed our favourite crawls, then our top ten pubs of the city centre. Manchester was founded by the Romans but grew as a vast industrial city in the Victorian age. The oldest pub dates back to 1544, with quite a few being Grade 2 listed buildings, dating back 100's of years. Various exciting stories can be discovered on the crawls with tales of murder, ghosts and arson. The pubs have survived bombings, and the threat of demolition - even in recent times. Most of our crawls start and end near a station making them handy to access or stay in Manchester for a few days to discover many museums, historic locations and walking tours. It is certainly a fantastic city to visit. Crawl Four. This starts in Exchange Square in the centre of the city. Walk 15 minutes or catch the tram from Piccadilly Station. Check out the old Corn Exchange building on one side of the square. The crawl then goes to many of our favourite historic bars in the Northern Quarter. Finishing a convenient ten minute walk back to Piccadilly station. A wise move maybe to check out the football fixtures, as some of these pubs are full of City fans on match days. 1  Sinclair's Oyster Bar, Cathedral Gates, M3 1SW  This is a very popular area, so arrive early to get a seat. Great for beer in the sun whilst basking in historic surroundings. You may never wish to leave. The prices here are some of the cheapest in Manchester, when we visited it was a cash only bar. Note the pub sign, for 58 years the pub was run by an ex-soldier named John Shaw. In the 18th century by law closing time was 8pm, if customers were still there the maid Molly Owen would throw a bucket of water over them. After John Shaws' death in 1796 it was re-named Sinclair's, oysters being added to the menu and name in 1845. Sinclair's is Grade 2 listed, and dates from 1738, having survived World War II, and the Arndale bombing in 1996. The Old Wellington next door, and Sinclair's Oyster Bar have been moved twice,1st in 1971 to make room for the Arndale Centre, and then in 1996 they were moved brick by brick from their original location 300 meters away to their current site as part of a regeneration project. The Old Wellington pub next door is the city centre's only surviving Tudor building and is the oldest building of its kind in Manchester, being built in 1552. Check out the inside of The Wellington and plaque on the outside. On the 3rd side of the square is the Mitre Hotel built in 1815, next door to that is The Crown and Anchor, a Joseph Holts pub. One need never leave these 4 pubs alone, but we have other places to be!. 2 The Lower Turks Head, 36 Shudehill, M4 1EZ This pub originates from 1745, and on the outside is found a fantastic 1920s tiled facade. The pub reopened in August 2013 after being closed for 22 years. There are several small rooms downstairs as well as an upstairs drinking area that leads to a roof terrace - always fun on a sunny day. Next door is Scuttlers wine bar, named after the famous 19th century Manchester gangs. This is now joined to the Lower Turks effectively making the pub bigger. Check out the beautifully tiled toilets. 3 Hare & Hounds, 46 Shudehill, M4 4AA One of many Grade 2 listed pubs in the area, having a nationally important historic interior and a tiled front. The original building dates back to about 1800, and it was re-modelled in about 1925. Like many pubs in the North of England the bar is found down a corridor in the middle of the pub. The front room is the vault with fixed bench seating, the lounge room is found at the back with bell-pushes for table service, and a 1920s fire-place. Admire the brown tiled walls, and glazed screens. The pub is usually busy, but not a problem with competent bar staff selling John Holts beers. 4 The Angel, 6 Angel Street, M4 4BQ   The Angel is found in area just north of the Northern Quarter which is fast being redeveloped. It is an old pub with character, however looking rather scruffy from the outside. Check out the photos of old Manchester on the walls. The pub has a good selection of beers on tap and bottled specially selected real ales, lagers and ciders from all around the UK. This is a solid locals' pub, with food, live music, and real fires. We love playing the piano in here, and have had many sing a longs. Outside is a great seating area, with plenty of tables and chairs. Read the full blog and information on pubs 5 to 10 on our website www.hikingwithdaveandbarbara.com