
Castle Hotel
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Quick info
About Castle Hotel
Castle Hotel is a pub in Manchester at 66 Oldham St, where live music and literary events share the programme. Bands and gigs play on the stage, and a jukebox covers the times between sets. The bar pours cask ales, including Robinsons real ales, with Guinness and Plumporter on tap. The bar itself is small and tiled, and a smoking area sits out the back. The pub dates back to 1776.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music gigs, jukebox, cask ales and smoking area.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music gigs, jukebox, cask ales and smoking area.
Customer Review Summary
Live music is what most reviewers return to at the Castle Hotel, with several praising the small gigs, the jukebox and the new acts, and one noting a band singing along in the taproom. Close behind are the real ales, where Robinsons cask ales, a draft Pale Ale and the Plumporter get named, along with a good Guinness and a "cracking pint". Staff are described as friendly and efficient, and the small bar is said to be well run so waits stay short. Reviewers also mention a sociable smoking area out back, an upstairs room when it gets busy, and a tiled bar with period decor. The main criticisms are mixed. One reviewer found the beer range unremarkable though drinkable, another calls the men's toilets a disgrace, and one visit and one drinker saw no music on at all. One reviewer says it is not glamorous but unique, and a late Monday crowd was described as young.
Customer Review Summary
Live music is what most reviewers return to at the Castle Hotel, with several praising the small gigs, the jukebox and the new acts, and one noting a band singing along in the taproom. Close behind are the real ales, where Robinsons cask ales, a draft Pale Ale and the Plumporter get named, along with a good Guinness and a "cracking pint". Staff are described as friendly and efficient, and the small bar is said to be well run so waits stay short. Reviewers also mention a sociable smoking area out back, an upstairs room when it gets busy, and a tiled bar with period decor. The main criticisms are mixed. One reviewer found the beer range unremarkable though drinkable, another calls the men's toilets a disgrace, and one visit and one drinker saw no music on at all. One reviewer says it is not glamorous but unique, and a late Monday crowd was described as young.
Featured reviews
- Christopher Binns
“Top tier boozer with a great juke box and choice of drinks. Amazing venue for live music as well with so many new and interesting acts all the time. Just check out their socials to see who's on and if it suits your taste. Home to the best smoking area in Manchester (in my humble opinion). Definitely get yourself here if you're visiting.”
- Sergio Tellez
“perfect dark pub experience in England mate”
- Jan Adamowski
“Right, I have to be super honest. This is not a club for me and not my fibe but the place has a climate and features good beer, great people and music gigs. Give it a go! It is not glamour or even nice, but bloody hell it is unique.”
- Steve Sadler
“Always a cracking pint at The Castle. Great range of beers, and although the bar’s small it’s well run so you’re never waiting long. Friendly staff, a sociable smoking area out back, and an upstairs room when it gets busy.”
- Steve Morgan
“A Manchester institution... though one of many. Well kept Robinsons real ales provide a familiar welcome on a rare return to the city. A young crowd on a late Monday evening.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“A pub with a long-standing reputation for live music and literary events, as well as its real ales.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible toilet · Wheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Bars near Castle Hotel
- Junior Jackson's4.23050 mi£1–15
rock and metal jukebox, cocktails, happy hour deals
- The Millstone4.41,4230.1 mi
karaoke, live music, boddingtons cask
- The Freemount4.31,0700.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
live acoustic music, whiskey selection, guinness on tap
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Hotel | 4.51,462 | — | — | live music gigs, jukebox, cask ales |
| Junior Jackson's | 4.2305 | 0 mi | £1–15 | rock and metal jukebox, cocktails, happy hour deals |
| The Millstone | 4.41,423 | 0.1 mi | — | karaoke, live music, boddingtons cask |
| The FreemountReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,070 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | live acoustic music, whiskey selection, guinness on tap |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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