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'OLE Abel Heywood would probably have approved of Northern Quarter's latest new boozer tucked away on the corner of Turner Street and Red Lion, it being only a hop skip from his bookstore at 60 Oldham Street.
The Abel Heywood is a classic, low-lit British charmer with rich, dark wooden fittings and toasty leather booths in which to retire with an ale and a nibble at a bowl of homemade pork scratchings.
Then again, Heywood can't have had much time for boozing.
Born in Prestwich in 1810, Heywood was a largely self-educated radical, a publisher, an active Chartist, a shrewd businessman, a blasphemer, a convict, a Police Commissioner, a two-time Mayor of Manchester and one of the main reasons that Manchester has such a magnificent neo-Gothic Town Hall - a building he opened in 1877 before 50,000 people when Queen Victoria gave Manchester the cold shoulder.
He's now also a 160-cover gastropub and 15-bed boutique hotel in Northern Quarter.
The Abel Heywood, Turner Street
Hydes, the 150-year-old Salford brewers, continuing their taste for naming premises after local heroes (see the John Millington in Cheadle Hulme and the Samuel Brooks in Sale), finally opened The Abel Heywood on Friday 12 December after the brewery first submitted plans in January 2014.
The new gastropub takes Hydes portfolio of premises to almost 60 in the North West and North Wales. Though this is the brewers first crack at a boutique hotel.
Inside The Abel Heywood is a classic, low-lit British charmer with rich, dark wooden fittings complimented by heavy-bottomed cast iron bar stools, shelves of trinkets, well-thumbed books, curious portraits, obscure Victorian cotton trade invoices, and toasty leather booths in which to retire with an ale and a bowl of homemade pork scratchings.
Ah yes, the food and drink. As you'd expect, the Abel has a decent selection of casks, six in fact, from Hydes, Beer Studio (Hydes' own craft label) and guests - currently Greene King's Fireside bitter. They also have some standard draughts (Amstel, Moretti...) and over 20 bottled beers, with some belters like Goose island IPA and Duvel.
Still, as with most Northern Quarter drinking dens (The Millstone, aside) you'll do well to see much change from £5.
The Abel also boasts fifteen different gins, fifteen whiskys, ten rums, six vodkas (all start at £3.25 a single), a cocktail menu (nearly all £7) and a commendable selection of wine and bubbles, over 25 bottles (from £14.95 to £89.95 a bottle).
What of the grub? Well, pricing at the new gastropub will probably hoist a few brows. A scallop starter at £12? Cod goujons at £13.50? Pie and mash for £15? Also, charging £13 for a pub burger just over the road from Solita (where burgers start at £8.50) is a bold move. One that might backfire.
Still, aside from some cheeky pricing The Abel Heywood is a solid pub addition to a trendy and burgeoning Northern Quarter bar and restaurant scene that too often (tips hat to The Castle and Lower Turk's Head) falls short of a handsome British boozer.
Here's how it looks...
Abel Heywood hotel room (prices start from £70 per night)
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Who remembers The King? Now that was a pub, before the NQ was the NQ. No hipsters in there.
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It looks nice but £6.25 for cheese on toast? Eeek!
Can someone explain what the difference is between "rarebit" and cheese on toast? For some reason, the word "rarebit" makes me want to punch something, mainly because I suspect it is, indeed, a needlessly fancy term for cheese-on-toast. Can anyone confirm?
Cheese on toast is just well cheese on toast. Rarebit comprises of a kind of sloppy mixture made out of cheese, egg, seasoning, maybe worcestershire sauce as well. It's all bound together and when grilled on top of the bread, it kind of souffles up a little and has more depth than plain old cheese on toast.
Thanks Andy VO. Doesn't sound very nice tho...
That's some mark up on the cheese on toast! wow! You can get a really good full English for not much more.
Blimey, even Gordo is somewhat taken aback with this pricing structure.
BTW, is this pub on a slant?
It's edgy NQ photography
edgy my fat ass
David, may be a bit more info on the rooms and hotel concept would be helpful. The fact that this outfit is also a "boutique" hotel in the NQ makes it different. Rooms "from" £70 a night sounds not too bad, but what are they like (from the one picture they look decent) and what price range to they go up to. I think you stayed in the bar!
Been in, shocked at the dated interior design. No style nor wow factor. Hope hydes didn't pay a lot as it needs a make over already. Not even nice british pub style. What were they thinking of when designing a 'boutique' hotel in the trendiest and hippest area of town? The interior design belongs in a 90's old pub that you would pass by. Not eaten but the wine list is BORING boys. I wouldn't drink most of the wines at home mid week never mind paying for them at weekends. Had hoped of great things. Bitterly disappointed. Sack the designers guys, and revamp the wine list.
Not a hint of ironic neon or scuffed painted concrete - and no enamel plates or bowls. Its a travesty.
What sort of bell-end wants wow factor in a pub?
Anyone that uses the phrase "guys" just has to go. Disgruntled ex-employee?
We went in on Saturday evening, was very expensive but good atmosphere in there. Would stop for a drink next time I'm out and about.
Tim, can you kindly give a few examples of beers and Prices. I am bringing a couple of german guys over to Manchester again in May. We like good pubs but not too expensive, so I am thinking about bringing them here for a beer or two. Cheers.
nice pub but fuck me £6.25 for cheese on toast!
I like the design of the place..a nice cozy boozer , which is needed in the Northern Quarter..sick of these trendy bars/restaurants opening up with ridiculuous names. I imagine the high pricing is to keep out the riff raff and alchoholics out which is good news..they can stay in the Unicorn round the corner instead
People should know their place should they? Heaven forbid any Boozers should go in your favourite new 'boozer'
looks a nice boozer but like all the other LOCAL breweries lets rip off our customers soz don't wish it well till your prices come down