Barca, Catalan Square, 2010. (c) Pubs of Manchester.
Barca has recently been reopened by the folks behind the Northern Quarter's Crown & Anchor and Lammars. Most famous for once being owned by the simple red, Mick Hucknall, Barca was at the centre of Castlefield's thriving bar scene in the past before going downhill and closing in 2007. They've done a decent job of reviving the place and it was good to see a couple of real ales on (Taylor's Landlord was acceptable), but it has to be marked down for the ludicrous policy of plastic pots inside. So what if there's a match on in seven hours time, don't take the piss - your neighbours Dukes 92 and Lava Café were happy to serve in proper glasses.
Barca, Catalan Square, 2010. (c) Pubs of Manchester.
With several function rooms and two separate outdoor drinking areas, Barca also does decent food and drink deals - twenty quid for two pizzas and a jug of beer and £7 a bottle of plonk seems reasonable. Although by no means a classic boozer, Barca is a decent enough trendy bar and is worth popping into when on a Castlefield and Deansgate crawl, if only for the impressive illuminated urinals.
