I've just moved to Manchester and was looking for a good, old-style pub in the area (got a car, so anything around the greater manchester area would be fine.) It's my dad's birthday, and he likes "old man" pubs with typical but quality pub grub and great beers/ales on tap. Any ideas??

There's a few in the city centre, however if you're after good pub grub, you can't do much better than the wonderful Sam's Chop House not far from the town hall, or its sister pub, the delightful Mr Thomas's Chop House, just a minute's walk away on Cross Street. Both serve superb traditional Mancunian and Lancashire dishes.

Behind Marks & Spencer, you'll find the popular Old Wellington Inn and the better Sinclair's Oyster Bar.

If he likes whiskey, you should check out The Briton's Protection next to the Bridgewater Hall. The Peveril Of The Peak is just around the corner, a favourite of Eric Cantona's and Robbie Coltraine's amongst others. Rain Bar opposite, whilst more modern, is themed like an old pub and is owned by Manchester brewer JW Lees.

Neil
www.ManchesterBars.com