A quirky CAMRA award-winning bar that offers a near-perfect combination of a great location, well-kept (and frequently changing) beers and hearty home-cooked food.

The Venue
Nestled among the railway arches next to Deansgate station, Knott Bar overlooks the Rochdale Canal and sits at the gateway to the cobbled streets of Castlefield. Its unassuming facade and seemingly hand-drawn sign hint at its modest and charmingly make-shift interior, which is made up of faded leather easy-chairs, mis-matched tables and torn Ramones posters. It’s a million miles away from the more polished and neon-lit chain bars over the road at Deansgate Locks but, for the people who come to Knott, that's a good thing.

The high ceilings give a false impression that the bar is rather cavernous, but on a busy night you'll often be pushed for space, especially when attempting to get near the bar. For those eating, there is a semi-separate (but by no means exclusive) dining area, and for the smokers and optimistic sun-worshippers, there's an upstairs balcony area which, considering its location next to the incredibly busy Deansgate/Whitworth St junction, is oddly quite relaxing to sit out on.

The People
Knott Bar has a very chilled atmosphere, and that is, to an extent, reflected in the pub's clientele. The venue always draws an eclectic mix of people. During the day, you may find families (including little 'uns) having a bite to eat, a couple of old boys sharing a bottle of red, and a group of twenty-something metalheads having a few beers upstairs.

The Drink
The Knott was recently voted Trafford and Hulme Pub of the Year by CAMRA and, although some would argue they've redrawn the boundaries to make it eligible for the area, as soon as you get to the bar to order, you understand why. They often have five guest ales on offer, which have previously included Shepherd Neame's, Canterbury Jack, Titanic Lifeboat and a couple of regular ales – including the infamous Ginger - from Manchester's ever-dependable Marble Brewery, all of which cost between £2.50 and £3.30. Aside from ales, the Knott offers a decent mix of lagers, including Tuborg on draft (£3.10) and the usual mix of bottles, an eclectic selection of Trappist beers and, for once, a decent cider on tap (Addlestone's). For those with a more diverse palate, they also have Timmerman's strawberry beer, although at £4.10 for a pint, you’d be advised not to get too much of a taste for it.

The Food
Knott Bar is almost as well known for its food as it is for its beer selection. While the menu may seem to consist of fairly standard pub fare (apart from perhaps the Thai strips of beef or the three for £10 tapas offering), the home-made pies and burgers are certainly worth a try, even at the slightly more expensive prices of £8.95 and £7.95, respectively. They offer an incredibly popular 'epicurean' nights, once a month on Tuesdays, where for £10 you can sample a variety of dishes from a chosen culinary destination, which in the past has included Greek, Thai and Mexican. These nights are so popular they’re fully booked months in advance.

The Last Word
For those who haven't ventured into Knott Bar then it should most certainly be your next port of call. Quality beer, friendly punters and decent food – all the hallmarks of a very fine boozer are here.

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