February - Archive Bar
Archive Bar & Bottle
2 Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport SK8 5AU
The Pub of the Month for February is relative newcomer Archive Bar & Bottle in Cheadle Hulme. Dave Pennington is a fan and tells us all about this relative newcomer.
The business project of Will Yeomans and Kristina Garner came to fruition when the Archive Bar & Bottle opened last June in former restaurant premises on Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme - opposite the railway station and a few doors down from the Chiverton Tap. The result is a great addition to the local beer scene.
Both Will and Kristina have considerable experience in the beer industry and have put a good deal of thought into the design of Archive, with good use made of both floors in the building. Downstairs there's a large entrance lobby: to the left is the main bar area while to the right is a room with a small elevated area containing some seating and well-stocked fridges (with 300 beers ranging from old school to very modern, and including Belgian and German classics). Pride of place goes to four handpumps, with Squawk Pavo as the house beer alongside three guests including a dark beer. Twelve eclectic, well-chosen and ever-changing keg beers and two ciders are dispensed from the bar back, so there's always something for every taste.
A spiral staircase takes you to another room divided into a lounge area and a snug, with leather sofas and low tables (pictured here). Throughout, much use is made of natural wood and vintage furniture giving the room a homely feel, while the large windows make it all very light and airy. Features of the decoration are the displays of beer bottles on shelves throughout every room - the whole place really is an archive of great beers, past and present.
Food is served until early evening and consists of appetising small bites and more substantial meals. Artisanal gins, a cocktails menu and well-chosen wines also feature.
Join us on Thursday 27 February when we will be presenting this very well-deserved award to Will and Kristina. The Archive is easily accessible by rail; it's opposite the railway station. Buses 313, 368 and 42B stop on Station Road.