August - Friendship
353 Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, M14 6XS
Margaret O'Brien explains why, on Thursday August 25th, the Friendship will be awarded the Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA, Pub of the Month.
This will be the third Pub of the Month award that Chris and Tricia Batty have won during their stewardship of the Friendship, a welcoming Hydes pub in central Fallowfield. They must be doing something right - so what makes the Friendship such a great pub?
It is of course in the heart of the university and student area of South Manchester and is surrounded by halls of residence. But despite that location the Friendship lives up to its name by being perhaps the last true local on the long stretch of road between the City Centre and Withington.
Refurbished this year to give the pub a fresh and modern look, the large horseshoe bar serves a variety of areas and can now accommodate 12 cask ales - offering the Hydes range, as well as varying guest beers. This is ideal for the many festivals the pub hosts (the next one is coming up between Friday 30th September and Sunday 2nd October).
The rear extension completed a few years ago has created the space for provision of interesting and popular Oriental food, including takeaways. Well positioned TV screens provide for sports fans, but to get away from the bustle and hubbub, there is the "Hyde Out" back bar for a peaceful drink and a chat. Come the good weather, a variety of outdoor drinking spots are available for people-watching or bus spotting even! Quizzes are held weekly - music on Sunday; general knowledge on Tuesday.
Beer quality is excellent and the Friendship is often to be found gracing the pages of CAMRA's national Good Beer Guide. There will certainly be good beer to be had on the night of our presentation - Thursday August 25th
The pub is very well served by public transport - the many buses that go up and down Wilmslow Road will drop you outside. From Stockport the 42 will suffice, while from Manchester anything with 40 something or 140 something on the front will do the same.