Aunt's Bar, Oxford Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, 1966. (c) Bob Potts [1].
A couple of doors down from the Clarendon Inn was Aunty's Bar, pictured above in 1966, around the time that the Mancunian Way opened, as seen in the distance. Aunty's Bar was just one of the many pubs around this part of Oxford Road that were lost in 1969 when the Manchester Metropolitan University expanded. The premises was previously known as Burton Ale Stores before 1931, which sounds like more of an off-trade place than a pub. From 1931-1969 as Aunty's Bar it was a Thomas Salt, Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton and Tetley's house [2].
Aunty's Bar was known as the Irish Labour Exchange by locals, as Irishmen could obtain employment there off the cuff with Irish building trade sub-contractors. While welcoming to the Irish, the permanent handwritten "No Women" sign between the inner doors [2] hinted at a less than tolerant attitude in here! The former location of Aunty's Bar was where this MMU building stands.
Former location of Aunty's Bar, Oxford Road. (c) Google 2014. View Larger Map.Aunty's Bar was known as the Irish Labour Exchange by locals, as Irishmen could obtain employment there off the cuff with Irish building trade sub-contractors. While welcoming to the Irish, the permanent handwritten "No Women" sign between the inner doors [2] hinted at a less than tolerant attitude in here! The former location of Aunty's Bar was where this MMU building stands.
1. The Old Pubs of Chorlton-on-Medlock, Bob Potts (1984).
2. The Old Pubs of Hulme and Chorlton-on-Medlock, Bob Potts (1997).
I used to use Aunty's bar in the sixties. I remember there was a permanent hand written sign between the two inner doors: "No women".
ReplyDeleteI used to go in there for a pint with my dad in the early 60s, your right, no women were allowed, but just inside the front door was a serving hatch, and I remember a bloke would bring his wife and drink with her both standing up in the entrance to the pub, also it was a great place to be on Whit Friday, When the pipes and drums of the bands led the Shools Whit walks
ReplyDeleteWas it Aunty's Bar that had the Knicker Bar where women's knickers were hung on the ceiling?
ReplyDeleteThat was Tommy Ducks
DeleteAs a youngster I was told of a lord haw haw, predicted Hitler would bomb auntys bar and rid the place of all the Irish. He missed but did bomb the local church.
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle was the Landlord of Aunty’s Bar in the fifties. It’s true that it was a men only bar and It was always full of Irish men where a collection was made for funds for the IRA. It was always loud with Irish songs being sung with gusto!!
ReplyDeleteHaha anonymous that was years before they’ve troubles had even started
ReplyDeleteThere were troubles in the 50s too!
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