The Albert Inn is one of the few old and much-loved Maine Road boozers that is still open, and thankfully, is just as good as the old times. Tucked away on the corner of Walmer Street and Aspinall Street off Wilsmslow Road, it's a classic local's pub that seems to be doing alright since the football custom left Rusholme and Moss Side.
Albert Inn, Walmer Street. (c) Google 2011. View Larger Map.
The Albert is a classic Victorian pub with old fashioned clientele to match. Elder folks from the nearby Rusholme and Moss Side estates are mixed with a younger crowd of locals, yet despite its prime position just off the Curry Mile, didn't appear to have any diners in on a Saturday night.
Albert Inn, Walmer Street, Rusholme. (c) Pubs of Manchester.
The Albert is a tied Hydes house, but when the bitter is as good as Hydes can be, and is brewed so close by (the brewery is barely a mile away - EDIT: it's since moved to Salford Quays), sometimes a row of guests ales aren't needed in decent boozers like this. Normal bitter, the premium version (1863) and a keg mild is enough for the bar which straddles the lounge and vault.
Albert Inn, Walmer Street, Rusholme. (c) Pubs of Manchester.
The inside is like all good pubs should be, and once were. Bench seating with low stools and them hammered copper tables that seem to have all-but vanished from English pubs. All that was missed were the ashtrays. The pool room vault is still going and although they've modernised slightly with a flatscreen TV, it's still a proper throwback pub.
Albert Inn, Walmer Street, Rusholme. (c) Pubs of Manchester.
As more people are starting to realise, pubs are on their arses in general, and the great British local pub as we know it is dying thanks to - amongst others - modern entertainment and social media, scandalous taxation, disingenuous public health campaigns, and greedy and clueless pub companies. Thankfully Manchester still has a number of proper boozers that should never die, and the Albert is hopefully one.
