Barbirolli, Lower Mosley Street. (c) markydeedrop at skyscrapercity.
Barbirolli off Barbirolli Square, Lower Mosley Street, in the former Pitcher & Piano recently closed its doors less than a years' trading. V1 Leisure had purchased the lease from Marston's in December 2009, but they were liquidated in September. We never got to try it out as Barbirolli, but as the Pitcher & Piano it was typically dull, overpriced affair (most expensive real ale in town), albeit with a pleasant waterside location. The Pitcher & Piano chain has since moved to another (less pleasant) canal-side spot at Deansgate Locks.
In this form, Barbirolli is no loss, but maybe if someone with a bit of acumen took it over and offered decent ales and interesting bottled beers, this location could make a go of it. Its proximity to the Bridgewater Hall, Midland Hotel, GMEX - and classic pubs like the Britons Protection and Peveril of the Peak - suggest it could thrive.
When it opened, the P&P had the distinction of having the most expensive real ale in Manchester city centre. Although beer quality was good, the Pitcher suffered from the same problems as those further along in Castlefield and never picked up enough weekday trade to really justify itself.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Marstons seem singularly unlucky or incompetent with their city centre venues.
Real ale comment added Tyson. Judging from the way Marstons are messing the licensees of the Shamrock about - promising refurbishments and real ale provision only then to go back on their word - I imagine it's the latter...
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