The Crown & Kettle - Manchester - Pub Reviews

The Crown & Kettle is a historic pub on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter (technically in Ancoats) known for its stunning Victorian interior and stellar craft beer selection. Housed in a Grade II listed early-19th-century building at 2 Oldham Road (corner of Great Ancoats Street), it retains its original Gothic-style façade with tall tracery windows. In the 1980s the pub (formerly called the “Iron Dish & Cob of Coal”) was closed after a fire and lay derelict for years. In 2005 it reopened after a careful restoration with Historic England and CAMRA, which focused on preserving its unusual plaster-ceiling features. Today the Crown & Kettle is celebrated as one of Manchester’s finest historic pubs, often touted for having “probably the best pub ceiling in the world”.

The Crown & Kettle’s historic 19th-century exterior stands out on Oldham Road. The pub’s ornate cast-iron sign and corner position make it an iconic landmark at Ancoats’ junction with the Northern Quarter. Inside, original features abound. The long Victorian bar is framed by massive stone columns and elaborate plaster ceilings with hanging Gothic pendants. In fact, the beautifully restored ceiling (half of which was charred by the 1989 fire) is the venue’s highlight, with intricately moulded roses and cornices that pub guides regularly praise. John Stansfield of Time Out enthuses that if any pub has a more spectacular ceiling, “we haven’t been to it”. The Crown & Kettle’s authentic 19th-century features – including Gothic windows and even mahogany panelling reclaimed from the airship R101 – give it a grand, historic atmosphere.

Interior & Atmosphere

The pub’s interior is divided into several cosy rooms. A large main bar (with high ceilings and a central stone bar counter) flows into a smaller snug on one side and a third private room at the rear. The back room functions as a sports lounge, complete with large flat-screen TVs for watching live games. Despite its size, the Crown & Kettle feels intimate and welcoming – a “homely boozer” that has been a local favourite for decades. Patrons often remark on the relaxed, friendly vibe: staff members are known to be personable and happy to let you sample beers before you order. Along the walls hang vintage portraits and pub memorabilia, enhancing the old-fashioned charm. In good weather, the covered beer garden out back lets drinkers enjoy Manchester’s canal-side air just a short stroll away.

The Crown & Kettle’s character is a blend of traditional and hip: Time Out describes it as a “neat hybrid of hipster-scene pub and good-and-proper local”. In practice, that means you might find hip young professionals sampling a local IPA at the bar’s edge, while regulars gather for a pint in the front pew-like benches. The crowd is eclectic but united in appreciating the venue’s quality. Locals often include it in rounds through the Northern Quarter – alongside other Manchester pub classics like The Marble Arch and The Castle – because of its unique charm and real-ale focus.

Inside, ornate plasterwork and chandeliers adorn the high ceiling of the main bar. The elaborate ceiling is arguably the pub’s star attraction, and guests can enjoy admiring it as they drink. It’s no wonder the Crown & Kettle has been featured on Manchester pub walks and architecture tours. Even small details reflect its heritage: stone mullion windows, gothic-arched doorways, and carved wood throughout give an air of Old Manchester. Despite the grandeur, the lighting is warm and the colour scheme cosy, making it a relaxing spot to chat or read the paper.

• Heritage: Victorian Gothic style; original 1800s construction (Grade II listed).

• Layout: Main bar area, side snug, and small back room with TV, plus covered garden patio.

• Décor: Vintage portraits and pub artefacts, polished wood panelling, and traditional seating.

Drinks & Beer Selection

The Crown & Kettle is best known for real ale and craft beer. On any given day it offers a rotating roster of over 20 different draught beers, ciders and lagers. The emphasis is on independent and local brewers: Manchester craft ales from breweries like Privateer, First Chop, Blackjack and Shindigger are almost always on tap. Alongside these home-grown selections you’ll find guest taps pouring pale ales, IPAs, stouts, pilsners and even sour and wheat beers from around the UK and Europe. Ciders (including UK and international varieties) are also featured. Because the beers change frequently with the seasons, there’s almost always something new to try on a return visit. Regular craft beer fans in the city know this pub for the quality of its list; in fact, it was named Greater Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2015 and Central Manchester Pub of the Year in 2019, largely for its beer range.

The service team is expert at guiding customers through the choices. Staff commonly offer samples and explain what’s on the bar – as one reviewer noted, “The staff are very helpful… they will let you taste [the beer] if necessary”. A shelf of tasting glasses (branded with the Crown logo) and neatly chalked beer boards makes it easy to compare styles. Pints here are priced around a typical Manchester pub range – roughly £4–£6 for local craft beers and up to £7 for speciality imports – and large measures are available. Overall the emphasis is on value and variety: for a beer lover, this pub is a paradise for an extended session or a relaxed tasting flight.

The bar team at Crown & Kettle pour craft ales and ciders – the wide glass selection reflects the pub’s emphasis on beer.

Food & Dining

Although the Crown & Kettle does not have its own full-time kitchen, food is available and tends to focus on classic pub fare. The daily menu is typically provided by local caterers or pop-up kitchen events, and items are often listed on chalkboards or cards placed on tables. Expect hearty dishes such as sausage rolls, steak and ale pie, fish and chips, cheese-onion pie, burgers and sandwiches – the kind of fare that pairs well with beer. In summer months there may also be lighter picnic-style options. Customers appreciate that the food is homey and filling, and often share small plates along with their drinks. Recent menus (as advertised by the pub’s social media) have featured dishes like fish pie, chicken Kiev, and Sunday roasts when available.

Prices for meals are in line with Manchester city-centre pubs: most main plates cost in the low teens (around £10–£15). This means a meal-and-drink outing is quite affordable. While the emphasis remains on the beer, the food offerings help make the pub a viable option for lunch or dinner. On busier nights the pub may even collaborate with nearby restaurants or street food vendors for takeovers, bringing in guest chefs to spice up the menu.

• Sample Menu Items: Fish pie; pie-and-mash; burgers; sandwiches; curry nights (occasional).

• Pricing: Main dishes £10–£15; bar snacks and sides £3–£6. Beers £4–£6 typically.

• Allergies/Dietary: Pub food with standard options (gluten-free or vegetarian choices usually available).

Entertainment & Events

Crown & Kettle doubles as a community hub. It regularly hosts quizzes, open-mic nights, and themed events. For instance, the pub runs weekly pub quiz nights, charity fundraisers, and even dog-friendly “mutts and mutts” socials – events that draw a crowd. The spacious back room (with its TVs) makes it ideal for live sports broadcasts; leagues and fans frequent the pub to catch football, rugby and boxing on big screens. Time Out notes that “large TVs for sports” are a fixture, making the Crown & Kettle a go-to spot on match days. It also participates in Manchester beer festivals and occasionally hosts DJs or live bands, reflecting the city’s indie vibe.

The pub’s event calendar is advertised via its Facebook and Instagram pages, and word-of-mouth among locals. Visitors can expect a lively weekend atmosphere, especially when quizzes or major games are on. Evenings tend to be bustling but never overwhelming, since the multiple-room layout means there’s often a quieter corner if needed. Management takes pride in balancing a fun, bustling scene with an inclusive environment. In sum, if you enjoy pub culture (loud laugher, sports chants, spontaneous sing-alongs), the Crown & Kettle delivers on variety.

• Live Sports: Televised football, rugby, and other events; multiple screens in the back room.

• Regular Events: Monday quizzes; open-mic nights; guest kitchen nights; seasonal beer tastings; dog meetups (per Manchester’s Finest).

• Atmosphere: Festive but friendly – crowds cheer on games, applaud musicians, and welcome newcomers with ease.

Location & Accessibility

Situated at the junction of Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street, the Crown & Kettle is minutes from Piccadilly and Victoria train stations as well as major tram and bus hubs. Its central location makes it easy to include on a pub crawl of the city centre or Northern Quarter. The surrounding Ancoats district is now home to a marina, apartments and trendy restaurants – a contrast to its industrial past – but this corner retains an old-Manchester charm. The nearby landmark Express Building (former Daily Express office) is a reminder of the area’s heritage and is literally just down the road.

As with many city pubs, parking is limited. There is no private parking lot – most visitors come on foot, by taxi or public transit. Street parking can be found on Oldham Road and surrounding streets (metered and permit bays), but spaces fill up quickly on evenings or weekends. It’s worth noting that the Crown & Kettle was granted Asset of Community Value status, reflecting how much the neighbourhood rallies around it. Inside, the pub is wheelchair-accessible on the ground floor, though the snug area and vault are down a short step. Family visitors should be aware this is an adults-oriented pub (children are not typically accommodated inside after 18:00).

In terms of opening hours, the pub advertises a typical schedule: Monday–Thursday 12:00–23:00, Friday–Saturday 11:00–00:00, and Sunday 11:00–23:00. These hours allow for lunch pints through late-evening sessions. It’s a popular spot for a midday break or an evening out. Phone inquiries can be made at 0161 236 2923, and the website lists current beer menus and events.

Recognition

The Crown & Kettle consistently ranks among Manchester’s top pubs. It holds roughly a 4.5/5 rating on crowd-sourced review sites, with nearly 200 reviews praising its ambience, beer list and character. In 2023 it was named a North West County Winner in the National Pub & Bar Awards (a high honour considering the stiff regional competition). Both Time Out and Manchester news outlets have singled out the pub’s ceiling and heritage, calling it a must-visit for visitors. CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) cites it as an “outstanding conversion or restoration” project. Locals affectionately dub it “The Pride of Ancoats,” a nod to its reclaimed glory.

Whether you’re a beer aficionado, a history buff or just looking for a friendly tavern, the Crown & Kettle delivers. Its combination of historic charm and modern craft-beer culture makes it uniquely Manchester. Next time you explore the Northern Quarter, be sure to step inside – if only to look up at that remarkable ceiling and toast the city’s pub heritage.