Manchester is home to dozens of historic pubs that have proudly stood on our streets for centuries, and now, one of the city's oldest boozers has been recognised as one of the best in the region.
The National Pub & Bar Awards has unveiled the prestigious County Winner titles for 2023, including 94 pubs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Aiming to highlight the 'positive' and inspiring' work of the UK's very best boozers, five venues across the North West have been named including one in Greater Manchester.
The Crown and Kettle, which sits on the corner of Great Ancoats Street's junction with Oldham Road between Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, has been named one of the County Winners for the North West ahead of the final awards ceremony, which takes place in June. The other venues to make the North West shortlist are The Bay Horse Inn in Cumbria, The Swan at Marbury in Cheshire, The White Bull at Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire and The Windmill, Southport in Merseyside.
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The Crown & Kettle building has sat on the corner of Great Ancoats Street and Oldham Road since 1734, and was once a courthouse before becoming a pub in the early 19th Century. The much-loved boozer has been a favourite among locals for decades, with the homely pub offering a variety of drinks alongside small plates for when you're feeling peckish.
Featuring a central bar as well as snug areas for a quiet one, and a covered wall-garden at the back ideal for a post-work pint in the sun, The Crown & Kettle serves up a vast array of real ales, lagers, stouts, pilsners, IPAs, sours, saisons - and everything in between. Many also visit the pub for its stunning ceiling with intricate carvings that has a history of its own after half of it was charred by a fire in 1989.
“We were overwhelmed by the level and quality of entries this year," commented Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, which runs the awards. “It just goes to show what magnificent work is going on across the UK hospitality sector.
"With outrageous energy costs, recruitment shortages and a punishing taxation system, these businesses are once again facing tough times. Now, more than ever, it’s vital that people support their local pubs and bars. So, ahead of the long Easter weekend, why not check out the finest in your county?”
Entries for this year's awards have been open since the start of the year, with hundreds of venues submitting submissions summarising the work that goes into design, training, team welfare, sustainability, food, drink, marketing and many other areas that go into running a pub. At the awards, taking place in London on June 28, other awards will also be handed out, including the Pub Brand of the Year, Bar Brand of the Year, Pub Chef of the Year and Sustainable Pub & Bar of the Year.
The 15 regional winners will then be announced ahead of the prestigious National Pub & Bar of the Year award, which in 2022 was won by The Frogmill in Cheltenham. Last year, both The Church Inn Mobberley and city centre bar Flight Club were named top in the North West region.
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