
The Great Central
Quick info
About The Great Central
On Wilmslow Rd in Manchester, The Great Central is a pub serving real ales and comfort food on a walk-in basis. The menu runs from a baked potato with Mediterranean veg, served with a side salad and dressing in a separate bowl, to an American burger. Meal deals pair food with a drink included, and ginger beer sits alongside the ales. Breakfast is served with no frills, and coffee comes with free refills. Guinness arrives with latte-art style design on top. Alcohol is not sold before 9am, keeping the morning service to food and coffee. The room is spacious, in keeping with its chain pub format, and open all day.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention baked potato with mediterranean veg, £1.50 coffee with free refills, alfredo pasta and american burger.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention baked potato with mediterranean veg, £1.50 coffee with free refills, alfredo pasta and american burger.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the value, with the £1.50 coffee and free refills, the baked potato with mediterranean veg, and meal-with-drink deals repeatedly praised as cheap and filling. Close behind is the food itself, described as good and served quickly, from a home-tasting soup to a classic American burger, though one diner called the Alfredo pasta and the steak dreadful and felt the £40 spent should have gone elsewhere. Service is inconsistent: several praise quick, good-mannered staff and one visiting parent calls the experience perfect, while others report a male server with a poor attitude, kitchen staff swearing within earshot, and a tired seating area. Two reviewers raise serious concerns, one describing racist treatment from a staff member and another describing being physically grabbed by a security guard after a dispute over "attitude". A minor gripe notes alcohol wasn't available at 9am.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the value, with the £1.50 coffee and free refills, the baked potato with mediterranean veg, and meal-with-drink deals repeatedly praised as cheap and filling. Close behind is the food itself, described as good and served quickly, from a home-tasting soup to a classic American burger, though one diner called the Alfredo pasta and the steak dreadful and felt the £40 spent should have gone elsewhere. Service is inconsistent: several praise quick, good-mannered staff and one visiting parent calls the experience perfect, while others report a male server with a poor attitude, kitchen staff swearing within earshot, and a tired seating area. Two reviewers raise serious concerns, one describing racist treatment from a staff member and another describing being physically grabbed by a security guard after a dispute over "attitude". A minor gripe notes alcohol wasn't available at 9am.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Visiting Manchester there is only ever one choice for food and drink, Wetherspoons! The Great Central is great option with lots of choice for Vegetarians and Vegans. We were provided excellent customer service from a young lady who originally came from Birmingham. Perfect experience.”
- Google user
“Stupendous establishment, great food, lovely ginger beer, however they don’t sell alcohol at 9am which is a bit disappointing.”
- Google user
“Breakfast was no frills, as expected, arrived quickly. Service okay but overhead staff swearing coming out of kitchen area which is unacceptable. Overall okay”
- Google user
“Really lovely classic pub style food. The atmosphere felt very cosy, a lot of loud students and trash around though. Bonus with a fun little "art" on top of the Guinness.”
- Google user
“I have been here a lot of times these days and the one and only thing disappoints me every time is the racist behavior of the staff. Especially the lady with the pink hair. I have had a couple of experiences with the staff that they never intend to serve happily. The lady which I said was showing the anger and hatred expressions on my face each and every time she served a beer to me today. All I want to say is this place is not recommendable for overseas people or students. Nobody likes to face racism in a place like like this where people expect to have good vibes with their mates.”
Highlights
“Budget comfort food and real ales served all day in a spacious and modern chain pub.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Sports
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Casual
Show more amenities
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Sports
- Solo dining
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 2
- Seating
- Table service
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near The Great Central
- Huqqa Lounge4.21,0500.9 mi
strawberry cheesecake, strawberry daiquiri, shisha selection
- Steelworks Tavern4.41092.4 miOutdoor seating
karaoke nights, pool table, resident pub cat
- Lord Nelson4.21892.5 miOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
60s and 70s music, well-poured pints, no froth, no food served
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great CentralWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.01,461 | — | baked potato with mediterranean veg, £1.50 coffee with free refills, alfredo pasta |
| Huqqa Lounge | 4.21,050 | 0.9 mi | strawberry cheesecake, strawberry daiquiri, shisha selection |
| Steelworks TavernOutdoor seating | 4.4109 | 2.4 mi | karaoke nights, pool table, resident pub cat |
| Lord NelsonOutdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.2189 | 2.5 mi | 60s and 70s music, well-poured pints, no froth, no food served |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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