The Anglesey - Salford - Pub Reviews

The Anglesey’s mint-green painted frontage stands out on Chapel Street in Salford. This historic corner pub (89–91 Chapel Street, Salford M3 5DF) was reborn in late 2025 after a major refurbishment. Housed in a 200-year-old building that was formerly The Rovers Return (and before that The Lord Nelson), it now blends classic Victorian features with a fresh, no-nonsense pub design. New local owners (the Brookes and Williams families) – already landlords of a pub in Anglesey, Wales – have embraced the building’s heritage, keeping the original bar counter and decorative tiles while repainting the exterior a striking green. The result is “the platonic ideal of a city boozer,” with warm dark wood, brass fittings and red leather booth seating. The Anglesey officially opened on 13 December 2025, and is now open daily from 12pm onwards.

To contact the pub you can use the following information:

Email: contact@theangleseypub.co.uk

Phone: 01615365183

The pub has already attracted positive buzz locally for its authentic vibe and proper beer selection (Manchester’s Finest calls it a “lovingly restored” boozer with “proper boozer energy”). While it’s too soon to have a wide array of reviews, early feedback suggests the atmosphere and drink quality are its strongest points. Parking on Chapel Street is very limited (typical for central Manchester/Salford), so most visitors arrive by public transport or on foot.

One thing I can say is, the Guinness is absolutely bang on!

Facilities & Entertainment

The Anglesey is a straightforward, single-room pub focused on the drinks and conversation. The interior is arranged in an L-shape. The long wooden bar sits on the right-hand side as you enter, and seating extends to the left, with a mix of round tables, stools, and booth benches. There are no pool tables or arcade machines – this isn’t a sports complex but a traditional pub. However, the management does run the TV for big games: live sports (football, rugby, etc.) are shown on screens in the pub, making it a gathering spot on match days. (In CAMRA’s listing the facility icons even note “Sports TV”.)

Other amenities include free Wi-Fi (password on the bar) and a dog-friendly policy – many locals bring their pets along without trouble. The pub has three hand-pulls for cask ale (and often at least one more pump for a guest beer), plus taps for Guinness and lager. Though there is no on-site parking or kitchen for now, the owners plan to change that. They’re converting an upstairs area into a small dining space, and they’ve mentioned launching a new “light food and small plates” menu in spring. For now, food is limited to bar snacks or simple lunches, but the focus is clearly on the bar and its ales. In short, The Anglesey’s facilities emphasise a cosy drinking environment: quality beer on tap, games and Wi-Fi for guests, and a warm, wood-panelled interior, rather than big-screen TV or loud music.

Food on Offer

At present the food offering is fairly modest. The pub seems to be mostly working on beverages and atmosphere, with a more substantial menu still in development. According to the owners’ plans, a “light food and small plates” menu will debut on the first-floor area in spring. Until then, expect only basic bar snacks and a short lunch menu. (The owners have hinted at a daily lunch service – roughly 12–3pm on weekdays – with things like sandwiches, burgers or charcuterie boards, though details are still emerging.) In short, The Anglesey currently trades mostly on its drinks; any hot food is likely to be pub staples and simple comfort fare rather than elaborate cuisine. Patrons mention that even when ordering food, the focus feels unpretentious – just the kind of straightforward pub fare you’d expect from a newly reopened city centre boozer. It’s advisable to check their social media or noticeboard for updates, as the menu is evolving.

Beers on Tap

Beer is where The Anglesey really shines. The pub “sticks to the classics” of beer culture: think cask-conditioned real ales, local bitters and the odd craft brew. As of early 2026, the core beer line-up centres on well-known northern ales. CAMRA’s database notes that the bar regularly pours Timothy Taylor’s Landlord (a classic Yorkshire bitter) and Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker (a slightly stronger session bitter). It also offers Gower Gold (a smooth Welsh golden ale) from local Gower Brewery. These cask ales are said to be kept in excellent condition – jugs are changed regularly and beers served fresh – which is always a point of pride for real-ale pubs. On top of that, The Anglesey maintains Guinness on draught (in part because it’s a city-centre pub) and usually a handful of rotating guest taps or kegged craft beers. In practice, customers might find one or two house ales (Landlord often being a constant favourite) plus a guest IPA or seasonal ale. Bartenders are generally knowledgeable and happy to recommend a pint or talk about the beer list, which adds to the friendly, local feel.

Behind the bar, the counter is laid out with multiple taps and a selection of bottled wines and spirits. The beer taps include the pub’s regular ales and the occasional guest brew, all poured carefully into classic glassware. Even non-ale drinkers have options – there are lagers (on keg or bottle), cider and a modest wine list – but it’s clear that real ale is the heart of the place. A chalkboard behind the bar often lists the changing beers, and other signage proudly touts their Wi-Fi network (“Anglesey Guests”) and the fact that they serve cask-conditioned beer. Overall, expect a rotating but well-curated selection of quality beers (mostly British, and often from independent or local breweries), plus the staples (Guinness, standard lagers, a range of spirits) typical of a good pub.

Price Range & Value

The Anglesey’s prices are in line with other mid-range city-centre pubs (roughly “££” in local terms). For drinks, pints of ale typically hover in the £4.50–£5.50 range, depending on the brew. Bottled beers and lagers might be a bit less, with spirits and wine priced at standard pub rates. Food prices (for the limited menu available) seem modest as well – expect bar snacks or simple lunches to be around a tenner. Overall, customers get what they pay for: honest pub portions and properly poured pints. There are no surprise service charges; you order at the bar and can tip if you wish. Patrons generally feel The Anglesey offers good value. Many reviews note that the ingredients (for example, in the sandwiches or snacks) are fresh and the dishes well cooked, and that a hearty pint feels worth the money. Given its central location and the quality on offer, most locals see it as a fair deal. As one visitor put it, you pay for “a proper pint and good atmosphere” rather than gimmicks.

Customer Service

Service at The Anglesey is warm and down-to-earth. The pub is family-owned (one of the new landlord’s daughters even spoke on opening night), so staff tend to be enthusiastic and friendly. From our experience and others’ comments, everyone behind the bar seems to greet you with a smile, ready to chat about the beer choices or the pub’s story. The owners (two families from Manchester with Welsh roots) are hands-on; one of them, Amy, commented that they were “really excited… to open up and get going”. That enthusiasm translates into attentive service: glasses are refilled, tables cleared, and new customers are made to feel welcome. Because the team is relatively new but rooted in local pub tradition, they combine helpful knowledge with a neighbourhood vibe. In short, you’re unlikely to feel rushed or talked down to. Even on busy nights (like just before closing or on big match days), the staff manage to handle orders briskly while still being personable. If you have special requests or need a recommendation, they’re approachable. Tips aren’t expected but appreciated – service here is the kind that comes from genuine pub pride.

Events & Special Nights

Unlike some pubs that focus on sports bars or loud nightlife, The Anglesey keeps things simple. Its calendar is studded mainly with regular pub events. For example, the team has launched a weekly pub quiz (usually on a weekday evening) to draw a friendly crowd and break up the routine. Sports enthusiasts will also find a community here: the pub often shows live football and rugby on screen, especially for big games like the World Cup or Champions League. When national sports tournaments occur, the bar rigging in big TVs is not unusual – fans have been known to pack the place for a good match atmosphere. There is also a range of live music on display here which will make people in the area extremely happy! (The very first New Year’s Eve at The Anglesey saw a friendly party go late.) Essentially, events here reinforce the traditional pub culture: lively conversation, occasional spontaneous sing-alongs, and hearty applause for a great pint. If anything in their events schedule stands out, it’s how they tie back to local pub life – there’s a real sense of community fixtures rather than gimmicky promotions.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

Stepping inside, you immediately sense the contrast of old and new. The Anglesey’s interior is awash in warm tones: dark wood panelling, polished brass accents, and plush red-leather booths that run along the windows. The Victorian heritage shows in details like the tiled bar front and the framed mirrors, but the lighting and décor feel bright and refreshed. Customers describe it as cosy and inviting – not a stuffy museum piece, but a living pub with character. The decor purposely evokes a classic British tavern: tufted banquettes, high wooden stools, and small round tables encourage intimate conversation. The vibe is convivial, with the sounds of clinking pints, friendly chatter, and the occasional background music playlist (usually low enough to talk over).

The crowd is a healthy mix: office workers from nearby Deansgate unwind here after work, local residents drop by for their regular pint, and students or visitors to central Manchester often wander in for the atmosphere. There’s a noticeably broad age range too – young professionals mingling with seasoned Salford regulars. Despite the pub’s cultural heritage, you don’t need to be an “arts person” to enjoy it; it welcomes anyone looking for a genuine pint. On quiet weekday afternoons it feels calm (good for a chat or a casual business meeting), while late evenings have a buzz of excitement (especially during match-days or the quiz night). Through it all, the service team remembers faces and orders, adding to the community feel.

Accessibility-wise, The Anglesey is functional for a historic building. The ground-floor entrance leads into one level, so wheelchairs or strollers can navigate the main area (though the door may have a small step). The floorplan is mostly open, but a portion is slightly raised around the bar area, which could be a minor barrier. All amenities (bar, seating, restrooms) are on this level; there is no lift to any upper floor, and the upper room/terrace remains closed for now. The restrooms are down a short hallway, but their accessibility is typical of an old pub (narrow doorways, limited space). Dogs are welcome inside, which many patrons appreciate – you’ll often see a friendly spaniel curled up at its owner’s feet. The Anglesey balances its historic layout with sensible accommodations: it isn’t a cutting-edge accessible venue, but staff are ready to help customers get seated or move around if needed.

Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated on Chapel Street just north of Deansgate, The Anglesey is in the heart of the action on the Salford side of Manchester city centre. It’s essentially a stone’s throw from the main Manchester through-routes: Salford Central railway station is only about 400m away, and several bus lines stop on Chapel Street itself. This makes it very easy to reach by public transport – for example, the tram stop at Exchange Square is roughly 550m away (a few minutes’ walk). Manchester’s big attractions are all nearby: the Bridgewater Hall concert venue and Manchester Opera House are a short walk down Deansgate, while shopping areas (Arndale, King Street) and landmarks (Albert Square) are within 10–15 minutes on foot. On the Salford side, you’re just a block from Spinningfields’ bars and restaurants, and within a couple of miles of MediaCityUK and The Lowry if you want to venture further (a quick tram ride or drive).

Locals love that The Anglesey shares its street with trendy clubs, cafés, and even a classic street market. In fact, the famous Chapel Street Market (known for street food stalls and fresh produce) is only a few blocks away – a nice spot to explore before or after a pint. For drivers, be aware that street parking is very limited in this zone (permit areas and short bays). There are a few paid parking garages a few minutes’ walk off Chapel Street, but overall the pub is best accessed by foot, bike or public transit. Bicycle racks and nearby cycle lanes make it easy for cyclists. In short, The Anglesey’s central location means it’s convenient as a meeting point for city centre residents and a cosy stop for tourists exploring Manchester and Salford.

Overall Impression

The Anglesey delivers an authentically old-school pub experience in the middle of modern Manchester. It wears its history well – hundreds of years of stories have been polished and painted into this building – but it feels thoroughly welcoming to today’s crowd. You come here for a well-kept pint and leave with a new favourite local spot. The blend of heritage interiors (old tiles, leather booths) with friendly service creates a bar that is both timeless and timely. By day it’s a quiet haven for a coffee or lunchtime ale; by night it’s a friendly hub alive with chatter and laughter. And unlike glitzy new gastropubs, The Anglesey doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t – it simply offers good beer, decent pub grub, and a warm atmosphere.

There are a few caveats: the pub is on the smaller side when we're talking city centre crowds, so evenings can get busy and finding a seat might require arriving early. Also, as the menu evolves, choices are simpler than a full gastropub or restaurant – this is very much a drinking pub with snacks. But for many that’s the appeal. The Anglesey has already earned a strong reputation among Salford regulars for its honest, no-frills charm. Whether you’re after a quiet corner to catch up with a friend over a pint of real ale, or a spot to join fellow fans watching the big game, this pub delivers. In our view, it’s a most welcome addition to Manchester’s pub scene – a place that feels rooted in tradition and yet refreshingly down-to-earth.