Pubs of Manchester

All pubs within the city centre and beyond.
A history of Manchester's hundreds of lost pubs.

Thursday 7 January 2010

SUGGESTIONS & MEMORY JOGGER

Please use the comments section below to suggest old pubs or bars that we've not yet featured.  We'll do our best to find out more and feature them. 

17 comments:

  1. Hi there, excellent site, not just for the boozers but for the fantastic history of Manchester that seems better than any local or central history, library or organization I have seen. Does anyone remember the Top Cat Tavern (I think it was called!) on the corner of the Corn Exchange ( now a Starbucks or similar) This would have been adjacent to the new Urbis centre, opposite to the Printworks, (Urrgh) and what now would be Next that used to be Argos. A strange 50's wierd style studenty place in the late 80's? Can't seem to find anything about it. Don't think it was there for long!. Keep up the good work! Regards Mat

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  2. Matt, it almost definitely was Walcots, I remember the place myself and frequented it a few times. Regards Salegrizzler

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  3. Great site,and a interesting site to share memories of Chic Taylor and The Bossa Nova Night Club,Holds some dear childhood memories for me as One of Chic's son's,It fills me with pride to know his memory still lives on today.
    He is sorely missed Yesterday Today and Always.A pleasure to have shared some of my life with him and to know he is thought of highly by so many who knew him in and around Manchester City Center

    God Bless "Patric Albert Chic Taylor" R.I.P
    The Black Prince
    g
    ps I have some interesting Photo's of Chic and Friends and some locations around the time my Dad had the Bossa Nova Club Todd Street, Maybe i could upload some when i work out how lol.
    Thanks again

    Don Patric Albert Chic Taylor

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    1. The 'Bossa' - One of my favourite watering holes when working night's at Kemsley/Thomson/Maxwell House from the 6o's through to the 80's.
      I remember Chic fondly, we shared many a 'good time', but perhaps it's best if I don't go into detail haha.

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  4. Many thanks Don, any memories you wish to share we'd be happy to include in the Bossa Nova/Chicos entry.

    You can email the photos to dan@thedistractions.co.uk - or upload them onto somewhere like flickr. Again, would be happy to host them here. Cheers.

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  5. An excellent site - very informative and full of memories. I found this while doing some research. Dated 1896 and listed as The Ostrich Inn on Wharf Street Ancoats - you don't appear to have it on your comprehensive list.

    http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=45415&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=59679

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  6. Thanks for that link. Wharf Street was parallel and just north of Great Ancoats Street where the Ancoats Retail Park is now - when we expand into Ancoats proper the Ostrich is definitely one to add. There's a short passage in the "Old Pubs of Ancoats" book about the pub if you're interested. Just drop us an email at the above.

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  7. Couple of bars I don't think you've featured yet; Overdraught on Princess Street and Apotheca on Thomas Street http://www.apothecabar.co.uk

    I look forward to your review and sage advice :)

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  8. On the TO DO list mate. Still got a fair few open establishments to cover yet. Overdraught may be shut now though - or renamed. Either way it'll be awful.

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  9. Great picture of The Ostrich

    http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=45415

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  10. i used to be a regular at the top cat tavern from the late 80s till it's closure in 1n 1996. the last time i was there is the night before the big IRA bomb went off and put an end to the place. the manager was called john and a rum bloke he was. gave us many a lock-in and let us put it on the slate if we ran out of money.
    i had some great mates in there and we always had a good laugh. and the crazy selection of music from behind the counter was something else. though it wasnt the type of place everyone would like to call their local as it could at times appear a bit rough.
    john the (manager)died some years ago and i've been living on the south coast since 99 but will always remember the my favourite bar and the pals that frequented it. cheers, dave glynn

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  11. anyone remember Barclays wine bar near spring gardens. We used to go for drinks there from McDonald's Market Street when we were on our break lol 1990/91 you could play snooker etc large screens all around with music video's etc. Very modern for it's time

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  12. He was my great grandfather. I'm Roberta Taylor.doughter of Robert Taylor who is the son of Robert Taylor who is the some of chic Taylor. Even thought I ha e never met him. Because he sadly passed before I was born I take great pride in what. I have found out about him. Can someone post some photos videos e.c.t of him and my great grammar to show my family. Especially his daughters and son's. Tar x Roberta Taylor

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  13. I saw Kiki Dee at the Jungfrau

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  14. Has anyone any memories of The Highlander? This was the public bar attached to The Portland Hotel in the 70s and 80s. I worked in the hotel in the late 70s. The bar manager was John and his assistant was Denis. there was also a wee Scots barman whose name I cant remember.

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    1. How strange. I just heard mention of this place for the very first time this morning. It was mentioned in a Miles Platting/Collyhurst/Ancoats pub discussion that inevitably spilled over into the centre of town.

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