The Marble Arch - Manchester - Pub Reviews

The Marble Arch is a landmark Grade II listed pub on Rochdale Road in Manchester’s historic Angel Meadow district. Owned by the city’s Marble Brewery, this multi-award-winning venue pairs classic Victorian architecture with a bustling craft beer scene. Since opening in 1888, it has remained a local institution, sought out both by beer aficionados and those in search of hearty British pub food. The pub’s original interior — complete with glazed tiled walls, decorative friezes and a famously sloping mosaic floor — has earned it national acclaim as a historic pub interior. The spacious street-facing bar and back room, along with a hidden heated beer garden, create a memorable setting for enjoying beer and food in Manchester.

History & Architecture

Constructed in 1888 for Sheffield brewer John Nicholson, the Marble Arch occupies the site of an even older inn from 1829. Architects Darbyshire & Smith designed the pub in a Gothic-influenced Victorian style, complete with ornate chimneys and green Shap granite facings (the “marble” of its name). Electric lighting was installed from the start, a modern convenience for its time.

Stepping inside, one is immediately struck by the grand interior. Walls are fully lined in glazed ceramic tiles of cream, yellow and green, which catch and reflect the light. A cast-iron frieze depicting beer bottles, casks and glasses runs along the wall tops, celebrating the pub’s brewing heritage. The ceiling above the bar consists of low barrel-vaulted sections, also decorated in tiles for fireproofing.

The long, narrow main bar area is paved with a multicoloured mosaic floor that slopes markedly downward from the Rochdale Road end. This quirky incline - so steep that patrons joke about plates sliding - reportedly followed the line of an old street outside. The original tiled floor was hidden under carpets during a 1950s refurbishment and then fully revealed again in the 1980s. The result is a breath-taking vintage interior that continues to impress visitors. In fact, CAMRA’s pub guide calls The Marble Arch a “brewery show-piece” with a “lavish interior of ceramic tiling and glazed brick walls”.

Brewery & Beer Selection

The Marble Arch is the original home and flagship pub of Marble Brewery. In 1997 the brewery was founded at the back of this very building, and soon patrons could sample the new Marble ales on tap. Today all brewing has moved to a larger facility in Salford, but the pub still pours Marble’s latest beers alongside its regular offerings. These feature the brewery’s signature recipes - for example, the malty Marble Stout or the easy-drinking session bitter — as well as special one-off brews. Seasonal taps might include hoppy summer ales or rich winter porters, reflecting the brewery’s experimental spirit.

Behind the bar there are nine hand-pull cask ale taps and eight keg lines. This array means you can always find a well-kept pint or a rare craft beer. Guest breweries from around the region often take a tap here, providing a broad view of Manchester’s modern beer scene. The pub’s staff are typically well-versed in their selection, offering friendly advice and food pairings. Given the Marble Arch’s central role in the local beer community, many visitors expect - and receive - knowledgeable service.

Food and British Pub Fare

The pub’s kitchen serves a menu of traditional British pub classics, prepared fresh in-house. Staples include a signature steak and stout pie, ale-battered fish and chips, and a variety of burgers (including vegetarian bean burgers). Ingredients are locally sourced when possible, and the chefs even incorporate Marble beers into recipes. For example, the beef in The Arch Pie is marinated in Marble Stout.

The menu also features smaller plates and starters. You might begin with French onion soup, Scotch egg with mustard Mayo, chicken liver pâté or a seasonal salad. Side dishes (triple-cooked chips, onion rings, mac ‘n’ cheese) are available as extras. Desserts include sticky toffee pudding, cheesecake or a British cheese platter.

Popular menu highlights include:

• The Arch Pie – A stout-braised beef pie under a golden pastry crust, usually served with creamy mashed potato and rich gravy.

• Fish & Chips – Beer-battered fresh fish fillet (often plaice or cod) with thick-cut chips and peas. It’s a true British classic that’s plated hot from the fryer.

• House Burgers – Char-grilled beef burgers (and a bean-based vegetarian burger) with toppings like melted cheese, bacon, gherkins and house sauces. Served with chunky chips or salad.

• Sunday Roast – Every Sunday there is a traditional roast dinner: your choice of roast beef, lamb, chicken or pork (plus a nut roast or vegan wellington option) with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

• Seasonal Specials – The menu rotates with the seasons. Past examples include game sausages and mash in winter, beer-battered halloumi, or a root-vegetable curry in the colder months.

Fresh fillets of fish (typically plaice or cod) are dipped in the pub’s own lager batter and deep-fried to a golden crisp. They are then served with chunky chips and mushy peas. This hearty dish is prepared to order and widely appreciated by patrons seeking classic pub fare.

One of the Marble Arch’s biggest draws is its renowned Sunday roast. Local beef, lamb, chicken or pork roasts are slow-cooked and carved to order, accompanied by crispy roast potatoes, rich gravy and perfectly puffed Yorkshire puddings. Vegetarian or vegan roast options (such as a nut roast) have also been offered. The Sunday service begins at noon and runs until the roast runs out — often selling out by mid-afternoon. Diners frequently compliment the roast’s quality in reviews, noting its tender meat and home-style trimmings.

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

Vegetarian and vegan diners are well catered for. The kitchen clearly highlights meat-free dishes on the menu. Vegetarian mains might include a hearty bean chilli, roasted vegetable lasagne or a butternut squash curry, often with rice or crusty bread. A plant-based bean burger and lighter sides like cauliflower “wings” or kale salad are also on offer. The Sunday roast menu explicitly includes a vegetarian and a vegan option, ensuring plant-based diners can enjoy the same traditional trimmings (gravy, roasties, veg) as the meat-eaters.

Atmosphere and Service

Inside The Marble Arch, the mood is informal and welcoming. In fact, one reviewer praised the pub’s atmosphere as “right on the ‘hygge’ mark”, citing its cosy fire, shiny tiled interior and excellent beer. The mid-sized main bar is usually busy but never cramped: wooden floors, benches and armchairs provide varied seating. Even on a crowded night the sound level stays moderate, as music (when playing) is kept low enough for easy conversation.

The crowd at The Marble Arch is famously mixed. You might find postmen fresh off shift enjoying a pint, young professionals catching up after work, families out for dinner, or retired regulars catching up - sometimes all at once. Staff are generally reported as friendly and knowledgeable. Because the brewery owners run the pub themselves, the bartenders can speak about the beers with authority. Diners often comment that the servers are attentive, helping guests choose beer styles and giving good menu recommendations. On most nights the focus is simply on relaxed dining and drinking rather than loud entertainment.

Pricing and Value

The Marble Arch is fairly typical of mid-range Manchester pubs in pricing. Main courses generally range from about £12 to £18 depending on the dish (for example, the steak pie or a gourmet burger might be around £15–£16). Set lunch or dinner deals — such as a two-course meal — often come in around £17–£18 total, providing reasonable value.

Draft beers and ales are usually around £4.50–£6 per pint. A pint of Marble’s own lager or bitter is typically about £5–£5.50, while stronger ales and stouts approach £6 at full strength. Side dishes like triple-cooked chips or seasonal vegetables are usually £3–£4 extra, as are desserts like sticky toffee pudding or cheesecake. Overall, patrons find the portions generous and the quality consistent, often remarking that the meal feels good value when combined with locally brewed beers. In short, a meal and a couple of pints here cost roughly the same as in other well-regarded Manchester pubs, but with a distinctive historic setting.

Facilities and Accessibility

The pub’s layout is simple: a single-room bar leads to a smaller rear dining extension. There is no dedicated parking lot, so most guests arrive on foot or via public transport. (Shudehill tram station and multiple bus lines on Rochdale Road are a short walk away.) At the back is a covered beer garden with seating and heaters, allowing al fresco drinking in cool weather. The Marble Arch is also dog-friendly: well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome inside and often treated with a water bowl.

In terms of accessibility, the main bar area is on level ground, but a ramp is provided at the entrance. However, the sloping floor and a couple of steps into the rear can make it tricky for wheelchair users. The pub does have a unisex/accessible restroom with a baby-changing station. It’s worth noting that the pub does not have any pool tables or live sports screens; its amenities are focused on the bar and kitchen. High chairs are available, making it family-friendly as well.

Opening Hours

According to the pub’s official schedule, The Marble Arch is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and opens at noon on other days. On Wednesdays and Thursdays it typically stays open until around 10pm (with the kitchen serving food until about 8pm). Fridays and Saturdays run later, often until 11pm or later for drinks (with food served until roughly 8:30–9pm). On Sundays the bar is open from noon until 8pm (or until the roast sells out). Visitors should always check the latest times online or by phone, as holiday periods or special events may lead to schedule changes.

Seasonal Offerings and Events

The Marble Arch’s menu is refreshed with the seasons. In winter you might see game pies, rich stews or Christmas specials; summer brings lighter salads and fresh vegetables. The brewery often times special beer releases to coincide with these menu changes. For instance, a Christmas ale might appear on tap alongside a festive pudding.

Occasionally the pub hosts themed events or beer promotions. From time to time there are beer festivals (such as anniversary celebrations) or tap takeovers by guest breweries. Local noticeboards and the pub’s social media channels are used to announce any special nights. Some Manchester event listings note that there can be live music on a Sunday evening, and quiz nights have been held sporadically. However, there are no fixed nightly entertainment schedules; most evenings are centred on good conversation and enjoying the beer.

Plan Your Visit

The Marble Arch is a prime example of a Manchester pub where heritage and hospitality meet. It offers a true craft beer experience in Manchester and a menu of hearty British pub food classics. The historic tiled interior provides a memorable backdrop for enjoying award-winning ales. Whether you drop by for a lunchtime burger, an evening pint, or the famous Sunday roast, you’ll find a friendly atmosphere and attentive service. Be sure to book ahead for weekend dinners or the popular Sunday roast, and check the Marble Brewery website for up-to-date menus and timings. Overall, this pub comes highly recommended as a place to relax with great food and some of the best craft beer in Manchester – it’s a classic stop for any pub-goer visiting the city.