September 2008
MY activities were curtailed last month so I don’t have that much for you.
I did however get down to the Lass O’Gowrie on Charles Street in the City Centre for the grand opening of their smoking balcony – you may recall that I gave this a mention last month.
I think this must have been the highest profile opening of a smoking area ever held in the UK – certainly in Manchester. The reason for the media circus was the presence of Johnny Vegas, now a regular at the Lass, and who kindly did the honours.
After the grand opening smokers flooded onto the balcony, overlooking the River Medlock and licensee Gareth Kavanagh also unveiled a plaque marking the opening of what will henceforth be known as Vegas on Medlock.
I took time out from the festivities to have a chat with Gareth who was very enthusiastic about the pub’s future trade. While there had been a bit of a downturn earlier in the year, the smoking area was a much needed facility and trade is now very much on the up. There is a revamped menu (I can testify to the food) and a programme of events including comedy nights, a computer club and an open mic night on Mondays. The upstairs function room is also being brought back into use after donkeys’ years.
Of course the beer is always top notch and I was particularly interested to learn that mild is now taking off in a big way. So much so that the Lass is about to become a rare local stockist for Greene King XX Mild – one of the best beers to come out of the Bury St Edmunds brewery.
While in town I also popped into the Seven Oaks on Nicholas Street, which is run by Patrick Smith, Gareth Kavanagh’s business partner. He took over the pub on an Enterprise Inns lease last November and has put his stamp on the pub. It has become something of a traditional local right bang in the City Centre with traditional pub food (Monday-Friday, 12-3) and even a darts team. Cask beer is a prominent feature with three handpumps in operation dispensing the regular range of Black Sheep Bitter, Jennings Cumberland Ale and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin. Well worth a visit.
The Ape and Apple on John Dalton Street is now under new management by Stacey Saunders and her assistant manager Lee Henson. The pub has been voted pub of the week by The Manchester Evening News. The article complimented the pub on its "friendly and efficient service" as well as the homemade specials. The Ape has the longest running comedy night in Manchester every Wednesday night and are starting a live music night, both of which take place in the upstairs bar. The brewery has also just spent £500 improving the upstairs roof garden. I plan to pop in for a chat before the next issue.
I will also be having a chat with the new people at the Smithfield on Swan Street. The pub is having a makeover and I hear very good reports about it.