Latest reviews from Macclesfield

“Well the first thing to say is – ignore the previous review ! Since then this place has been closed down and semi derelict and then restored in spectacular fashion. Second thing to note is the instructions to get there, which are a bit confusing. Church Street leads from the market place (and parish church) steeply down to the railway station, but if you do that you won’t pass this place ! It is off on a little side road that is also part of Church Street ! Anyway, it’s pretty obvious with its outstanding black and white faux timbered exterior (it’s actually a brick building). Once inside you are faced with an immediate choice of routes as the place is a real rabbit warren. But everywhere has been done up to a really high standard – with decoration on the floor, walls and ceiling. To the right as you enter is the bar and a tiny snug. To the left is a small lounge done out in dark mahogany and deep crimson seating. There are a couple of similar rooms further back, at varying levels, one of which also has access to the bar. There are four hand pumps on the bar serving a changing range from mainly local breweries (I had one from MBH / Mobberley). There are a couple of craft keg taps too, again serving mainly local stuff. Beer quality is excellent. Food is served Thursday to Sunday daytimes, though I haven’t yet eaten there. Menu seems interesting and varied and the prices certainly look reasonable. This place is top notch – and it’s likely you will get a tick as well. “

Martinsh 9 hours ago

“Well established typical craft beer bar adjacent to the town hall. Been here a few times but, apart from my latest visit, normally when Treacle Market is on – so too busy to make notes. Anyway, it is nominally only a small venue. There is some seating outside, but the bar takes up much of the room inside, with just a few tables. Decor is very sparse. There used to be a downstairs overflow area, which was totally different with walls and arches like a typical basement, but I’m not sure if that is still available. There are ten craft keg taps available, listed on the wall by the bar. Last time I stopped looking after the first one – it was a Neon Raptor flavoured stout ! But they typically stock breweries like Deya, Salt and Buxton. They used to have their own beers but that stopped a couple of years ago. They also used to serve cask ale, and there are still a couple of forlorn hand-pumps on the bar, but I believe these are no longer in use. There are fridges stocking cans and bottles. These seemed to be mostly local “real ale in a bottle” sort of stuff. No food – but sometimes there is a street food vendor immediately outside. A decent place – always worth checking out. “

Martinsh 2 days ago

“Must admit that I didn’t pay much attention to detail then I was here recently, as I wasn’t expecting it to be listed on RateBeer. It certainly isn’t somewhere you would expect to find a beer tick ! Having said that, it is definitely worth visiting for the quality of the beer. It’s a traditional street corner boozer on the road which runs south from the Railway Station. Inside it is semi open plan, but enough remains to show where it was originally divided into separate rooms. Each former room is furnished differently as well. On my latest visit I sat in what was obviously originally the lounge (to the right as you enter) – it is furnished with large comfortable armchairs that it is possible to sink into, plus an amazing array of bric-a-brac including a 1960s TV. The bar is a bit further in on the left. What I could see of the other areas included several tables sized for large groups. I understand there is also a covered terrace to the rear, but I didn’t see that. The beer is all macro national brands – however the quality is excellent. Bass and Wainwright are regulars and when I was there also Landlord and Theakstons Best. I have seen photos of Tiger and Harvest Pale as well. Lunchtime food is advertised as both Thai and English, but I have been unable to find a menu. Will try harder next time ! This is an excellent venue. Highly recommended - unless you absolutely insist on ticking ! “

Martinsh 2 days ago

“Heading west out the centre in Park Lane, its on the southern side of the road which means its rear terrace area is a bit of a suntrap. Its entrance leads into a long corridor with the bar and main room on the other side of the right-hand wall, two doors lead into here, which has a very well-to-do traditional feel and appearance. Bollington regular ales dominate the selection but a guest real cider might be available here too.“

ManVsBeer 346 days ago

“A good 15 minutes walk west of the town centre through a maze of terrace housing, this is a pub in its own building just where these relent for more leafy suburban dwellings. Modern designed but sympathetically traditional there's a small room to the left after you enter its central doorway, with the rest of the place open plan. The bar faces the rear and has an array of Happy Valley beers on cask to choose from. The rear enclosed garden area is equally modern and an attractive place to sup. The brewery building is in here too.“

ManVsBeer 369 days ago

“Just to the north of the Market Square, this is a mainly keg heavy micropub, which is a little spartan in design but still a nice place, and friendly enough Takeout choices exist here too. It really benefits from a large outdoor space on the wide pavement out front.“

ManVsBeer 372 days ago

“A minute or so north of the Market Square to this end micropub and bottle shop mainly focusses on keg ales, about half a dozen, although I had one of its two ciders from out of a box in the back room. The service area to the rear allows for plenty of seating at the front, either side of its large glass front if the weather allows as there's tables on the deep pedestrian area of the street too. A number of metal shelves carry many beers in can or glass all ordered in style rather than brewer.“

ManVsBeer 373 days ago

“At the end of the road directly south out of the station, it's not quite the corner bar, but is the next one as along - set back from the road to allow a fair amount of outdoor seating. Inside it's a very large open space room with high ceilings and the bar is long against the left wall and to the rear. A 'bar' in design and appearance you can get RedWillow regulars and their latest seasonal and special brews in here.“

ManVsBeer 374 days ago

“Close to the bus & train station and fairly close to the football ground. Seven changing ales on, mostly pale ales“

Jerseyislandbeer 926 days ago

“Craft beer shop and tap room that was originally a BeerDock franchise – so still bears some hallmarks of that (defunct) organisation. Seating is at the front of the venue (and on street outside if weather permits), with a list of beer on tap prominently displayed. Shelves of beer line the walls – foreign (Belgian, German, US) down the left hand side, and UK on the right. The latter almost entirely cans. Otherwise decoration is bare boards – slowly being covered with pump clips. 10 keg lines are available. A wide variety and constantly changing. Tends to be from fairly obscure breweries. Staff are knowledgeable and very friendly. Card payment only. A great place, but a bit geeky. “

Martinsh 1333 days ago

“Another venue which is sadly in decline. It used to be the go-to place for real ale in Maccclesfield with a large range of varied styles. Now, well read on .. Located just across the main road from Macclesfield railway station. Easy tp find – as long as you ignore the other half dozen pubs to which the description could apply ! Inside the building is L-shaped, with the bar immediately on your left as you enter. Seating areas further back and to your right – where there is a real fire when appropriate. Seating is claret coloured upholstered chairs and benches, with dark wooden tables. Decoration is fairly basic in a claret and white colour scheme. There is a large number of pump clips above the bar though. A total of 8 hand pumps, though only 3 were in use – all serving hoppy pale ales. When I arrived at 3pm on a Saturday, the place was completely empty apart from the landlord chatting to a couple of his mates at the rear of the pub. Later on another couple of blokes arrived – and started espousing very radical political views. I wouldn’t mention that except the previous time I visited, exactly the same thing happened. Coincidence ? Living on past glories … “

Martinsh 1335 days ago

“This is the brewery tap for the RedWillow brewery. A medium sized spacious and airy former shop conversion. Bar is on the left at entry, and is mainly wooden chairs clustered round circular tables. Decoration is a bit bare, but welcoming. As might be expected, beer range concentrates on their own range. There are 15 keg lines and 5 hand-pumps, though on my latest visit only 9 and 3 respectively were in use. All keg lines were their own beers and two of the three casks were as well. [ Completely by coincidence, I went for the one beer that wasn’t theirs on my last visit ] Beware, cask beer quality is not good – is served far too cold for a start ! Cans of their own beers are also available for takeout. Beers are listed on an electronic screen behind the bar – but in such small type that you can only read it if you are standing at the bar – which of course isn’t allowed these days ! [ Maybe they have them listed on an app or Facebook, but they certainly don’t advertise that ] Only food is some “healthy burgers”. Opening hours are somewhat restricted. Even on a Saturday they don’t open until 1pm. Payemtn currently card only. And the facilities for washing hands in the gents are a bit basic. In my view this place is overrated. “

Martinsh 1335 days ago

“Visited January 2019 on the way to the airport.. Rather spacious place. Lots of seatings. Very cosy, easy to get around. Friendly atmosphere.. Friendly staff.. Food and beers are standard for JDW. Parking just next to the pub.“

Brugmansia 1958 days ago

“Our 4th pub visit on Saturday 20/1. It now does not open until 3.00 pm on Saturdays. About a 5-10 minute walk uphill from Red Willow. A real fire was blazing. Decent choice of cask beers ; I opted for Oakham - Citra, which tasted as good as ever.“

moleha4 2328 days ago

“Our 3rd port of call on Saturday 20/1. From memory the 4 HP consisted of 2 x Storm Brewery & 2 x Salopian. My pint was in good nick. Obliging barmaid volunteered to take a photo of us. Piano in need of tuning available upstairs ; our "singing" in even more need of tuning, but a good time was had.... by us anyway.“

moleha4 2328 days ago

“Second venue on our pub tour of Macclesfield on Saturday 20/1. Good range of beer both cask and keg, and the Red Willow - Heartless (stout) was my beer of the day.“

moleha4 2328 days ago

“First stop on a pub tour of Macclesfield on Saturday 20/1. 6 beers including a Mild plus 1 cider on handpump. Warm welcome and well kept beers“

moleha4 2328 days ago

“Solid place. They had a very busy weekend, so were low on stock. 1 real ale, 4 taps. Outside seating for a few. Decent bottle selection, mostly local, some belgian ones too. Was there on a Tuesday Eve, so may have a better atmosphere otherwise. Reasonable, non-obnoxious music was playing when I was there.“

fish_liberator 2453 days ago

“A stunning bar. Great beer, tasty food, wonderful staff. Don’t know why I don’t go more often. I really should.“

Madcarew 2800 days ago

“Visited on a Saturday afternoon in October 2015 this place is just a few yards down the road on the opposite side of the road. The ambiance is like drinking in a museum. Lots of weird decorations and furniture abound, staff were friendly. Handpulls were difficult to spot but hidden amonst the tat. 2 Storm beers on plus a Wincle. One I had was decent. Prices not bad. Not a go to beer destination but a different place to stop for a beer.“

WingmanWillis 3161 days ago

“Last stop on a quick dash around Macclesfield on a Saturday afternoon in October 2015. Place is very much a locals pub with a break in the early evening. Crowd around the bar made it difficult to see what was on. Reasonable range of local beers, ones I had in good condition. Prices were OK, place is very 70s inside. There’s better in Macclesfield but worth a look in, as stated in other reviews, it is handy for the station.“

WingmanWillis 3161 days ago

“Headed in for a quick pint on the way to the football ground, served quickly despite being busy on a Tuesday night. Beer was in good condition and a reasonable range on. The highlight for me was the excellent chippy over the road. Not the highlight in Macclesfield for me and maybe wouldn’t bother with the extra distance past the Red Willow bar“

WingmanWillis 3318 days ago

“Visited on a Tuesday night heading to the football ground. Caught the tail end of a Hawkshead takeover and also had a good range of beers including a few of their own. Nice Old shop conversion. Beer was well kept and bar staff friendly and offered a couple of tasters. Definitely would go back.“

WingmanWillis 3335 days ago

“Big place, bit empty on Friday at 16:00 though. All the Redwillows on tap, great. Driving, thus only one to try and there are no bottles. Friendly service.“

vipinvelp 3419 days ago

“Beautifully fitted out, airy, spacious, open plan bar, with lots of quirky touches. (The copper pipe work to the urinals in the gents is a work of art!). Excellent beer selection on draught. Attentive, friendly service. Room to sit outside. Only been the once, but I got the impression that this is a very well run bar. Could have stayed all day.“

Garrold 3537 days ago

“About a 5 minute walk from station, very modern interior, quite spacious, amazing tap selection with about 8 devoted to Redwillow and the rest guests such as Summerwine and Marble. 20 taps in total with 6 being cask and the rest keg. Serves 3rds all being displayed on a big screen. Didn’t have but were serving what looked to impressive cheese and charcuterie boards.“

RichTheVillan 3554 days ago

“Traditional old school boozer with 2 dart boards, pool table, and skittles. Decent beer selection which is well kept, let’s dogs in, sky sports.“

RichTheVillan 3554 days ago

“Very spacious Wetherspoons in a converted church, some of the most impressive toilets you will find, 2 banks of 4 cask 6 for guests.“

RichTheVillan 3554 days ago

“Not far from the station, a great bar. It’s Red Willow’s bar so obviously you can find them, Kernel, Brodies, Siren. usually a few sours on. Love this place. Nice ambience, modern beer bar, people in there are cool, not far from my house. Mint.“

weaselkenievil 3698 days ago

“Pretty much opposite the train station, over to your left a bit so a good place to visit if you arrive on the train. And Brewtique is just up the hill to your right. A proper boozer. Brian is a good landlord but especially now Dermy is in charge, he’s a top bloke. Selection will never wow you but there is always proper cask ale served in excellent condition. Good pub, good locals, decent food.“

weaselkenievil 3698 days ago

“Proper pub. Chris the landlord is a good bloke, beers are kept in excellent condition, great service, great and constantly changing selection, good live bands at weekends, I have a thing for the blonde barmaid, what an ace pub. If you’re in Macclesfield it’s a must visit.“

weaselkenievil 3700 days ago

“Maybe I prefer the Wharf but this is a good pub. Mellow place, had quiet drinks in there and noisy ones. Had a pannepot in there, that’s all I need to know. Good pub!“

weaselkenievil 3700 days ago

“A cafe bar over a couple of levels that edges towards a Bohemian style that works for it. It has a laid back atmosphere and offers some locally crafted ales among its suit all selection as it is open from the early hours.“

ManVsBeer 3997 days ago

“Opposite the Heritage Centre in its converted Sunday School building, this pub is sandwiched in the middle of brick terraced houses just a short walk away from the end of the pedestrian shopping street. It advertises itself as an ale house and has a fair selection in this respect, although lager drinkers get the usual choice too. The majority of the decor and furnishings are wooden based and this offers the pubs charm as it is all well-maintained. Once strange feature is the fish tank that at eye level above the male urinals forms part of the wall and offers a view of the pool table area back inside the main body of this open plan pub.“

ManVsBeer 3997 days ago

“Sandwiched half-way up the hill between the shopping area and train station, this is a charming coaching inn building with an attractive front. There’s two areas to sit in and the best of these is the very small snug area at the front, but it only holds a handful of people around a couple of tables. The bar with a small but decent selection of ales divides this part from the main body of the pub which is less to shout about and includes a modern patio door to its rear patio area that can’t hold too many people given the hill continues up pretty much from the rear of the building.“

ManVsBeer 3997 days ago

“Close to the train station and at the point where the hill up to the main shopping area begins. This pub is mainly open from late afternoon is in its own freestanding brick building with a Tudor style top to its front. The decoration is very functional mid-20th century inside and not much to shout about, but its ale selection is pretty good.“

ManVsBeer 3997 days ago

“A charming end terrace pub that looks like it was once a collection of rooms that have been transformed into a homely large open room space. There are still defined cosy areas to drink in around the centrally based bar that has a fair selection of real ales to choose from.“

ManVsBeer 3997 days ago

“One of the larger and trendier venues to drink in, or eat as food is promoted well here. It is located opposite the Wetherspoon pub and has a modern feel despite the very wooden furnishings that include oversize tables to facilitate larger groups wanting to eat. There’s both a decent ale and lager selection and an attractive area to sit out front if the weather allows.“

ManVsBeer 3998 days ago

“On the western edge of the town center where the houses have just started to become dominant over the small businesses on Chester Road, this is an extremely cosy pub with two sides to sit in either side of the central doorway. There is a relatively large, although somewhat mainstream selection of ales to choose from and plenty of old coins, currency notes and trophies in cabinets to enjoy as its decor, soft furnishing and wooden tables make it a very cosy place. Has WiFi.“

ManVsBeer 3998 days ago

“I didn’t stay long in this pub, it had a decent real ale selection, but the polite landlord could (for whatever reason) only offer me Becks Vier at the time, which was also politely declined. It was a very cosy pub just after where the commercial centre gives way to houses after Chestergate.“

ManVsBeer 3998 days ago

“Large Wetherspoon in its own building with a comfortable decor in the traditional manor of the chain. It’s a shame that it only uses half of two architecturally relevant buildings in the town. There’s a patio area out front too part of which has some decking. Ale is on two rows of pumps at the bar.“

ManVsBeer 4116 days ago