
Founder's Hall
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Quick info
About Founder's Hall
Founder's Hall is a pub in Manchester, built around JW Lees Brewery and set at 2-10 Albert Square. The bar pours cask ales, craft lagers and small batch Boilerhouse beers, and the MPA ale is among the cask options. In the kitchen, the team makes home made, hand pressed pies and serves fish and chips, and the menu also includes tapas-style small plates. The refurbished interior is a pub-style room with a bar. Large groups can settle up individually, since the staff take separate payments and clear plates as people finish. The pub stands beside the Christmas market on the square.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, tapas small plates, outdoor terrace people-watching and cask ale selection.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, tapas small plates, outdoor terrace people-watching and cask ale selection.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the fish and chips, praised for a light batter and good quality fish, with the cheese pie called "best yet" by one diner. Close behind are the small plates, described as tasty and good value, and the ales, including the MPA, a Christmassy plum beer and cask Boddingtons. Several mention a drink such as Citrus Bloom or a G&T. The terrace and front seating on Albert Square get repeated mentions for people-watching and long, relaxed catch-ups, and the pub is described as lively and good for groups. Staff are called friendly and welcoming throughout, with one group of 18 saying individual payments were handled easily and plates were cleared quickly for a planned game. One reviewer brought a dog and was told dogs were fine. The few criticisms are small: one found a toilet less clean than it could be, and one thought the fish slightly overcooked but liked it that way. A bartender pointing out the dog chair is the detail one visitor remembers.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the fish and chips, praised for a light batter and good quality fish, with the cheese pie called "best yet" by one diner. Close behind are the small plates, described as tasty and good value, and the ales, including the MPA, a Christmassy plum beer and cask Boddingtons. Several mention a drink such as Citrus Bloom or a G&T. The terrace and front seating on Albert Square get repeated mentions for people-watching and long, relaxed catch-ups, and the pub is described as lively and good for groups. Staff are called friendly and welcoming throughout, with one group of 18 saying individual payments were handled easily and plates were cleared quickly for a planned game. One reviewer brought a dog and was told dogs were fine. The few criticisms are small: one found a toilet less clean than it could be, and one thought the fish slightly overcooked but liked it that way. A bartender pointing out the dog chair is the detail one visitor remembers.
Featured reviews
- Ha Dinh Hong
“Highly recommend bar & restaurant. Super good food and reasonable price. Superb location right at the Albert Square. We did enjoy the dinner.”
- Liv Kate
“We came in at the beginning of a hen do for a meal yesterday, the staff were so amazing! Particularly Ryan and the guy with the bucket hat (think he’s a supervisor or manager?), were both amazing and made the experience so quick and easy for me (the organiser🤣). There were 18 of us needing to individually pay and they were super helpful and accommodating in this process. I also asked if they would mind clearing the plates as soon as people finished as I had a game planned, and they did this super quickly and seamlessly. Overall, from booking the occasion to the evening itself, we had a great experience.”
- Smithy
“Came here today with my family had an absolutely lovely meal and start to finish the service was outstanding will definitely return 👌 special shout out to Charlotte who looked after us so polite and helpful couldn't fault her credit to the pub”
- John B (JB)
“We came here for a drink and a light bite. It was a lovely day, so we sat outside at the front, which is a great spot for people-watching. We ordered a selection of small plates, and they were all really tasty. I had a pint, while my wife enjoyed a G&T. It was a relaxing visit with good food and drinks.”
- Paula Thorne
“We recently spent a few days in Manchester and Founders Hall became our go to place. We sat on the terrace for hours, people watching on the square, the food was fabulous and the atmosphere was perfect for a relaxing chat with good quality beer and wine. I cannot recommend this place enough if you want to meet with friends and while away the hours. We will definitely be back.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Located in the shadow of the historic Manchester Town Hall on Albert Square, Founder’s Hall is a place to meet, eat and drink. With the JW Lees Brewery, Manchester's oldest brewery, at the heart of the business, paying homage to our founders and (nearly) 200 years of history in brewing, Founder’s Hall showcases a vast range of cask ales, craft lagers, traditional brews and small batch Boilerhouse beers. The food has been carefully crafted to complement the line up on the bar, with something to suit every palate; from bar snacks to home made, hand pressed pies and, of course, the best of JW Lees pub dishes.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Bars near Founder's Hall
- Ape and Apple4.31,6570 mi
upstairs function room, smash'd burger menu, football on screens
- 0.1 miWheelchair accessible
pies with mash and gravy, variety of ciders, real ales and craft beer
- Fountain House4.31,4450.1 miWheelchair accessible
sunday roast, scotch egg, steak
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founder's Hall | 4.22,024 | — | fish and chips, tapas small plates, outdoor terrace people-watching |
| Ape and Apple | 4.31,657 | 0 mi | upstairs function room, smash'd burger menu, football on screens |
| Town Hall Tavern ManchesterWheelchair accessible | 4.3883 | 0.1 mi | pies with mash and gravy, variety of ciders, real ales and craft beer |
| Fountain HouseWheelchair accessible | 4.31,445 | 0.1 mi | sunday roast, scotch egg, steak |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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