Bar Fringe

8/26/2007 5:16:19 AM, sunday, august 26, 2007
An excellent, very popular bar that is a refreshing difference from the typical English pub. Belgian interest is obvious in the large bottle selection. 5 casks offered as many beers I’d never heard of and they seem to rotate very frequently. Also very convenient location close to great other pubs. A must in Manchester.

8/10/2007 10:07:54 PM, friday, august 10, 2007
Belgian bar situated in what is my favourite part of the Manchester N/4 real ale circuit. As Gazza has said this is as much a rockers pub as a Belgian bar so it’s an interesting mix of clientele here. Great jukebox where you will hear many tunes that you won’t anywhere else in town. I miss the pinball machine whatever happened to that ? OK so there wasn’t much room in that part of the pub but you don’t see them too much in pubs at all these days. Improving range of UK cask ales complemented by draft Belgian and European beers and plenty of bottled beers. The chicken gujons were about the cheapest pub food I think I’ve had anywhere and were very nice too but I’m not sure they still do them ?

3/28/2007 12:17:56 PM, wednesday, march 28, 2007 [ Updated wednesday, march 28, 2007 ]
I love this place. One of the real gems of Manchester and other than the Belgian Belly it’s the only place I make sure I visit no matter what each time I am back home. Reminds me very much of the Bizon in Brussels. Loads to look at (the aforementioned bike, beer paraphanalia all over the place, some great old bottles hanging around, collection of old pipes on the ceiling at the back and odd faces moulded into the wall etc. etc.) the interior is certainly interesting. The jukebox is one of the best in existance and the clientele seem to know as much about beer as they do music. It is a proper regulars place and if you go often enough are bound to make friends. In addition to all this Carmen is a great hostess and keeps a very good cellar. The number and range of the bottles in the fridge can fluctuate slightly but you are guranteed enough quality Belgians and Germans (usually with a spattering of Americans too) to keep anyone happy for an evening. At the far end of the bar you will find 4/5 ever changing cask ales that are always in top condition. Fringe is just a short walk from Piccadilly and a must visit if ever you are in Manchester. I want to move in.

9/4/2006 2:16:58 PM, monday, september 04, 2006
This is a strange place indeed. It’s supposed to be in the style of a Belgian bar but there’s not many I’ve seen with a motorbike precariously balanced over you when you enter (but I suppose it’s been there for a long time now and if it was going to fall on me it would have by now). The clientele are what would be termed "mixed" - bikers, scoopers, and - well - just go and find out for yourself, OK? The jukebox is superb with much alternative/goth music featuring and is played at a level which can be enjoyed. The beer range of 4 UK cask ales usually includes something new but the real draw are the Belgian beers in the fridge - there is no beer list, you just have to peek over the bar to see what’s in there at that time. Expect to find real Gueuze, Westvleteren and other rarities including Contreras (the landlady’s name!). Strange, and not to everyone’s taste, but a refreshing change and well deserved of it’s top-flight status on the beer crawl