The Lass O'Gowrie - Manchester - Pub Reviews

Nestled on Charles Street by the River Medlock, the Lass O’ Gowrie is a Manchester city-centre pub steeped in history. Located at 36 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB, this Victorian-era building (with its distinctive glazed-tile facade) dates back to the mid-19th century. In fact, the pub appears on maps as early as 1844, making it one of the city’s venerable drinking establishments. Today the Lass O’ Gowrie blends that old-world character with a lively atmosphere – it consistently earns solid reviews (around 4.0/5) from patrons. The pub’s owners (Greene King, as confirmed by local CAMRA records) have maintained its historic features, so stepping inside feels like a true Manchester time capsule.

Facilities & Entertainment

The Lass O’ Gowrie is a compact city-centre pub, so there’s no dedicated parking on-site – street parking and public lots are the norm in this area. Inside, however, you’ll find plenty to keep a crowd entertained. The pub sports a traditional dartboard and a pool table, and it frequently hosts friendly darts and pool competitions. For sports fans, multiple TVs broadcast live matches (typically rugby and football) via Sky and TNT Sports. In keeping with its community vibe, the pub is explicitly family- and dog-friendly. Children, grandparents, and even pups on leads are welcome – staff pride themselves on a relaxed, inclusive environment. (The Greene King site notes “Family Friendly” and “Dog Friendly” amenities, reflecting this pet- and family-welcoming policy.) Free Wi-Fi is available, and there is a small beer garden at the rear along with a unique over-the-river decking area used as a smoking balcony. (That riverside balcony was actually opened by former regular Johnny Vegas and gives the pub a special character.) Overall, Lass O’ Gowrie offers a classic British pub experience – cosy and no-frills – with enough games and sports on TV to keep most patrons happy.

Food on Offer

Food at the Lass O’ Gowrie is classic pub fare done well. The menu centres on comforting staples: think steak-and-ale pies, beer-battered fish and chips, burgers with hand-cut chips, and other hearty dishes. In line with its traditional focus, the pub often highlights seasonal produce, but it doesn’t skimp on selection. There are reliable vegetarian and even vegan options (for example a well-reviewed plant-based burger or a vegetable pie). A particular highlight is the Sunday roast. Each week the chefs pile plates high with tender roast meat (or a nut roast/vegetarian main), golden roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables and rich gravy. Reviews frequently single out the Sunday lunch as “delicious” and “excellent value,” so much so that a Greene King feature urges readers to book ahead and promises it’s “worthy” of gathering family and friends. In short, the Lass O’ Gowrie’s kitchen delivers solid comfort food: dishes are unpretentious but generously portioned and well seasoned, with the Sunday roast among Manchester’s best pub roasts. The convivial pub setting – where young and old share tables – only enhances the dining experience.

Beers on Tap

Beer lovers will find much to admire here. Being a Greene King pub, the bar stocks the company’s own cask ales, and indeed the Lass regularly offers Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale from the bowser. More prominently, however, Lass O’ Gowrie is known as a real-ale pub. For many years Greene King’s Hardys & Hansons Bitter has been a staple on the taps, and the classic Morland Old Speckled Hen is also typically available. These two traditional bitters match the pub’s historic vibe and please traditional ale drinkers. But loyal locals will tell you the fun comes from the rotating guest ales. The pub often taps a variety of locally brewed cask beers – for example, Tollgate Brewery’s Belmorado pale ale has appeared on pump clips – and the selection changes monthly so there’s usually something new to try. Legend has it Guinness is also frequently on draft here, honouring its old Irish/Scottish theme. In recent years the bar has even featured special brews like “Genevieve” (a Thornbridge collaboration) alongside the ubiquitous staples. The establishment proudly participates in CAMRA’s real ale discount scheme – at times offering up to 25% off cask ale pints during special weeks – which highlights its commitment to cask beer enthusiasts. In summary, the beer list at the Lass O’ Gowrie combines well-kept pub standards (H&H Bitter, Speckled Hen, Greene King IPA/Abbot) with rotating casks from local brewers, plus the usual lagers, ciders and wines. Many reviewers praise the quality of the pours, noting the ales taste properly conditioned. This rotating cask selection often draws aficionados who want a taste of Manchester’s vibrant microbrewery scene alongside familiar favourites.

Price Range & Value

Lass O’ Gowrie falls into the mid-range category by Manchester standards (££). Pricing is moderate for the city centre location. Expect to pay around £4–£5 for a pint of ale or lager. Main courses (burgers, pies, roasts, etc.) are generally in the £10–£15 range. Customers and critics alike tend to agree that this represents fair value: the servings are hearty, ingredients are fresh, and the pints are properly poured. In practice you get a solid meal and a decent pint for about what you’d expect in a good pub. On a per-pound basis it often feels like getting a bit more bang for your buck than in many trendy city-centre restaurants. (In fact, a number of online reviews mention that the pub “offers good value” for the quality.) Service is efficient too – drinks come at standard pub prices, and there’s no hidden service charge unless you’re seated and served at table. Overall the consensus is that Lass O’ Gowrie strikes a pleasing balance of quality and price, so patrons feel their money is well spent.

Customer Service

Service at the Lass O’ Gowrie is frequently described as friendly and personal. The bartenders and wait staff tend to be chatty and attentive, reflecting the pub’s community feel. Many locals note that the staff know the regulars by name and are happy to recommend beers from the bar. Because it’s a relatively small venue, employees often multitask – the same friendly face who takes your drink order might later deliver your food or host the quiz night. Even when the pub fills up (say on Friday evenings or quiz nights), the team works briskly to keep orders moving and glasses topped up. Of course, during very busy periods (peak quiz rounds or a big TV match) there can be a slight wait for service, but patrons seem understanding of that. In general, the attentive yet relaxed service style reinforces the homely atmosphere: you’re more likely to be served by someone who chats with you than a robotic server. Overall the client feedback suggests that Lass O’ Gowrie’s staff combine pub professionalism with warmth – leaving many customers feeling well looked-after during their visit.

Events & Special Nights

The Lass O’ Gowrie is well known for its midweek entertainment. Quiz Night: Every Thursday (and sometimes additional nights), the pub hosts a lively pub quiz. In fact, Greene King advertises “Join our pub quiz, every Thursday” at this location. The quiz master, rounds of general knowledge, and prize incentives turn an otherwise ordinary weeknight into a fun social occasion. Quiz regulars praise the atmosphere as vibrant and competitive without being cut-throat. (It’s common to see teams huddled over answer sheets, pints in hand, from around 8:30 pm onwards.) Live Music & Open Mic: On some evenings the venue shifts into a music mode. Local acoustic acts and singer-songwriters regularly play the small stage area, and the pub has hosted its own open-mic nights as well. These sessions tend to have a laid-back, eclectic vibe – one night might be blues or folk, another could be indie or rock. It’s a way for budding Manchester musicians to reach a sympathetic crowd, and it adds to the pub’s creative, artsy reputation. Seasonal & Sports Events: During major holidays or city events, Lass O’ Gowrie sometimes runs themed nights. For example, Christmas or Halloween may see special decorations or drink specials. The pub also screens big national events (Champions League games, Six Nations rugby, etc.) so that sports fans can gather. In the Greene King holiday schedule, Lass O’ Gowrie often appears as a locale for festive meals (e.g. Christmas dinners) or New Year’s parties. In short, the event calendar is a blend of cultural (quiz/music) and communal (sports/holidays) fixtures – reinforcing the pub’s role as a local gathering spot. The emphasis remains on pub-style fun rather than clubbing or elaborate promotions. In practice, many patrons simply refer to “Thursday quizzes, Friday live music, Sunday roast” as a familiar weekly cycle at the Lass.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

Stepping into the Lass O’ Gowrie, you immediately notice the old-fashioned charm. The interior has its original Victorian flair – dark wood panelling, stained glass accents, and even the glazed ceramic tiling on the walls. Walls and shelves are covered with Manchester memorabilia: vintage photographs, posters of local musicians, and quirky artifacts from the city’s history. This décor (combined with soft background music) creates a warm, nostalgic ambience. A snug area sits at the back for intimate chats, while the main bar area has high tables and bench seating. In cooler weather, the fireplace corner (complete with a friendly hearth) adds literal and figurative warmth. Despite the historic feel, the vibe is never stuffy – it attracts a very mixed crowd. You might find office workers grabbing an after-work pint, university students hanging out on sofas, and long-time Mancunians swapping stories. Weekends (especially term-time Friday/Saturday nights) bring a lively energy – the CAMRA notes describe the crowd as “cheerful and diverse” on weekends. Regulars report that newcomers are quickly welcomed into this mix; it’s the kind of place where strangers strike up pub-bar banter about the game or the quiz.

Accessibility is decent given the building’s age. The entrance has a slight step but is largely at street level, and once inside the pub’s ground floor is a single open space (no split levels to navigate). There is a restroom on the main level; Greene King’s facilities list indicates “Disabled Facilities”, though some say space is tight for a wheelchair. (The raised function room upstairs, used occasionally for larger groups, is only reachable by a staircase.) On the plus side, dogs are very welcome – you’ll often see a friendly pet curled by the heater – and there is outside seating. The rear beer garden and the unique riverside deck (both accessed at ground level) make for pleasant outdoor spots in summer. In short, while not purpose-built for modern accessibility, the pub does what it can (level floors, help from staff, welcoming attitude) to accommodate visitors of all needs.

Location & Nearby Attractions

The Lass O’ Gowrie enjoys a prime central-Manchester location in the Oxford Road Corridor district. It sits literally on the bank of the River Medlock – a short walk north of the Oxford Road tram and rail stations – and is just around the corner from the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and the bustling Circle Square development. This makes it easy to reach by public transport: Oxford Road and Manchester Piccadilly stations are both within 10 minutes’ walk, and numerous bus routes pass nearby. The pub’s location also makes it a convenient watering hole for several local scenes. To the east is Canal Street (Manchester’s famous “Gay Village”) and the Northern Quarter, home to bars, clubs and boutiques. In fact, the Lass O’ Gowrie is often used as a stopover on a pub crawl towards Canal Street or NQ venues. Its setting amid student housing and offices also means the daytime crowd includes university staff and students from nearby Manchester University campus buildings. The Oxford Road Corridor description notes that the pub caters to a “diverse crowd of students, professionals, and tourists” given its surroundings. For leisure activities, Angel Meadows and Canal Street are right nearby for evening walks, and cultural spots like the people’s history museum or MOSI are within a mile. Overall, Lass O’ Gowrie’s central riverside spot makes it a handy meeting point and a comfortable base for exploring Manchester’s city centre nightlife.

Overall Impression

The Lass O’ Gowrie stands out as a genuine piece of Manchester’s pub heritage. It manages to serve as a comfortable neighbourhood pub while also drawing in city-centre crowds, which is a testament to its character. Unlike many newer bars that focus on slick design or gimmicks, this pub leans into authenticity: its Victorian tiles, mixed crowd, and cracking real ales are the real “attractions”. Many reviewers describe it as a “gem” that embodies Manchester’s gritty yet welcoming spirit. Its strengths are clear – friendly service, solid beers, and a convivial atmosphere – and they have not gone unnoticed. In fact, the Lass O’ Gowrie was voted CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year in 2012, underscoring its quality. Of course, there are minor downsides (it can get crowded on quiz nights and the vintage layout isn’t ultra-modern), but these hardly overshadow the positives. For anyone looking for a classic English pub experience in Manchester – complete with hearty food, a quality pint, and a lively crowd – Lass O’ Gowrie delivers on all fronts. In sum, it’s a place that feels intrinsically Mancunian: historical, community-driven, and a little unconventional. Visitors often leave with fond memories, whether from a great Sunday roast, a successful quiz team victory, or just a cosy evening by the river with a well-kept ale.