Port Street Beer House

While the emphasis is very much on local ale, the Port Street Beer House – the work of the folks behind the award-winning bar, Common – merges an edge of Brooklyn hipster hang out with that of a proper Manchester pub. The stock a large selection of American beers alongside a good range of local craft brews. Unlike the trendier Common, this is a more laid-back venue, the kind of place to kick back with a beer or two after a hard day at work. Beyond the slightly scuzzy entrance, the décor of the Northern Quarter venue is cosy and domestic with plenty of inviting sofas and settees for lounging (not to mention the kind of thick burgundy curtains your gran might turn her nose up at). Spread over two levels, it’s immediately clear what the focus is here: beer, beer and more beer. The bar boasts a magnificent array of pumps, with local beers featuring prominently, and a good international range too. The range of cask ales is impressive and they also have an intriguing selection of bottled beers. They serve drinks by the 1/3 so serious hop-fiends can work their way through the range while remaining reasonably upright. They don’t really go in for food or do much else which might dilute their focus on all that beery goodness.