letting the good times roll

Since 1776

You can’t just create a sense of history: You have to earn it.

And the 200 year long story of The Castle Hotel is woven not just into its bricks and mortar, its Victorian tiles or its mosaic floors. It’s a feeling that you can’t out your finger on. It’s in its people. In its memories. And in the layers of history built up over centuries of experience.

The Castle Hotel started life as The Crown and Sceptre in 1776, although records show that there has been a dwelling on the site since the 1400s. Over the course of a century the pub changed name several times, trading first as The Crown and Sceptre, then The Crown and Anchor and later The Clock Face. In the late nineteenth century the pub was acquired by Kay’s Atlas Brewery and started a new chapter as The Castle Hotel; which is probably when the current tiled façade and bar were added. In the early 1930s Frederic Robinsons took over Kay’s Atlas Brewery and, consequently, The Castle Hotel.

The pub’s now deeply cemented relationship with the city’s music scene probably began when it was a stopping off point for to people on their way to Band on the Wall, though it was strengthened with involvement from John McBeith, who later helped launch The Roadhouse.

In 1979, a now legendary John Peel interview with Ian Curtis took place here, weaving The Castle further into the fabric of Manchester’s musical heritage. The Castle’s custodian at the time was Kath Smethurst, who put on local band nights in the back room and furthered the pub’s reputation as a musical and creative hub. Sadly, The Castle fell on hard times, Kath passed away, and The Castle closed its doors in 2008.

This cherished public house was not to remain closed for long though, and in 2009 friends Jonny Booth and Rupert Hill took ownership of The Castle Hotel and set about bringing the decrepit building back to life. After an period of restoration which saw the infamous leaky roof replaced and the pub’s entire interior sympathetically brought back in line with its rich heritage, the renovation was completed in October 2010 with the grand unveiling of the new Music Hall and Theatre at In The City 2010.

So that’s the story so far. And now The Castle Hotel is ready for its next chapter; one which will see this historical drinking house continue to evolve at the beating heart of Manchester’s creative communities. So come along, pull up a stool, and become a part of our story.

The Northern Quarter's Original

Ale House

With ten cask handpulls, traditional pub snacks, the best jukebox in Manchester, live music and entertainment every week, we're your local pub in the heart of the city.
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Titanic Brewery: Plum Porter (Stoke-on-Trent) 4.9%

    The richness of this rotund beer is brought to an even keel by the late addition of Goldings hops and natural plum flavouring

    Titanic Brewery was founded in Burslem Stoke on Trent in 1985. Burslem was the Mother town of the Potteries and had many great names who had started their careers amongst the bottle kilns and smoke. In Etruria just down the road Captain Edward John Smith was born. He would go on to command the world’s most famous liner. It is in honour of him that the brewery was named.

    SONY DSC
    Strong and well rounded
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Green Jack Brewery: Rising Sun (Suffolk) 5.0%

    Originally founded in 1993 in Oulton Broad, Green Jack ales are well-known for their “hoppy character”. With locally malted wheat and barley, traditional English cone hops are blended with hops from the New World in generous proportions to give the ales floral, citrus and fruity aromas. 

    SONY DSC
    Pale ale
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Robinsons: Trooper (Stockport) 4.8%

    TROOPER is a deep golden ale with citric hop notes and dominating malt flavours with a subtle hint of lemon. Real depth of character with complex hop notes using a combination of Goldings, Bobec and Cascade Hops. Bruce Dickinson, Maiden’s vocalist, played a major role in developing the unique flavour of the beer.

    The Unicorn Brewery rests over the foundations of the Unicorn public house, purchased in 1938 by William Robinson from Samuel Hole. By 1849 William had remarried leaving George, his oldest son to run the inn. At this time George started to brew the first Robinsons ale. William’s younger son Frederic took the helm from George in 1859.

    SONY DSC
    Golden lemon and malt
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde (Stockport) 3.8%

    This straw-coloured summer ale is brimming with distinctive herbal aromas. A light, refreshing beer, Dizzy Blonde has a clean, zesty, hop-dominated palate; complemented by a crisp, dry finish.

    The Unicorn Brewery rests over the foundations of the Unicorn public house, purchased in 1938 by William Robinson from Samuel Hole. By 1849 William had remarried leaving George, his oldest son to run the inn. At this time George started to brew the first Robinsons ale. William’s younger son Frederic took the helm from George in 1859.

    SONY DSC
    A Hazy Golden Beer
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Isle of Purbeck: Purbeck IPA (Dorset) 4.8%

    Golden-amber in colour with an abundant spicy and floral hop aroma. Maris Otter malt ensures a full smooth flavour

    Overlooking Dorset’s Jurassic coast, Isle of Purbeck is in the heart of Purbeck based at The Bankes Arms dating to 1549.

    SONY DSC
    Spicy and floral
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Robinsons Brewery: Uncle Sam’s Pale Ale (Stockport) 4.2%

    Using a blend of pale barley and wheat malts, this refreshing blonde ale is clean and crisp, with a full bitter and lemon citrus palate and a lingering green hop finish.

    The Unicorn Brewery rests over the foundations of the Unicorn public house, purchased in 1938 by William Robinson from Samuel Hole. By 1849 William had remarried leaving George, his oldest son to run the inn. At this time George started to brew the first Robinsons ale. William’s younger son Frederic took the helm from George in 1859.

    SONY DSC
    Crisp clean & citrus
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Robinson’s Unicorn (Stockport) 4.3%

    A magnificent pale tart and thirst quenching bitter beer full of rich malt and hops, complimented by the complex aromas of Golding hops giving a long dry finish with citrusy notes.

    The Unicorn Brewery rests over the foundations of the Unicorn public house, purchased in 1938 by William Robinson from Samuel Hole. By 1849 William had remarried leaving George, his oldest son to run the inn. At this time George started to brew the first Robinsons ale. William’s younger son Frederic took the helm from George in 1859.

    Unicorn
    Traditional Bitter
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Hartley’s Brewery: Cumbria Way (Cumbria) 4.1%

    Named after the epic 70-mile amble across Lakeland, this full-bodied beer plays a spicy, fruity note on the nose, and a sweet, citrus tone on the taste buds. Topped off with a long, dry finish and a good bitterness level brought on by the Goldings hops.

    Based in The Old Brewery, brewing commenced in 1755. On the 17th July 1896, the Old Brewery was conveyed to Robert & John Hartley and on 29th December 1919 Hartley’s (Ulverston) Limited was incorporated. The company was acquired by Robinsons in 1982.

    SONY DSC
    Pale Golden Bitter
  • On Tap

    Tasting Notes: Weston’s: Old Rosie (Herefordshire) 7.3%

    Award winning Old Rosie is allowed to settle naturally after fermentation, resulting in a truly old-fashioned, full flavoured and cloudy scrumpy with a well balanced medium character. Suitable for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs.

    old-rosie
    Medium Dry Cider

Our Events

View event guide as

  • dexters

    Wed 22 May

    Classic Slum Presents Dexters

    with guests

    Robbie Boyd Band

    Thu 23 May

    Thank Folk For That Presents The Robbie Boyd Band

    with guests

    Joyce The Librarian

    Thugs on Wolves

    Marcus-Bonfanti

    Fri 24 May

    Glasswerk Presents Marcus Bonfanti

    with guests

    RISE

    Sat 25 May

    House of Cards Presents RISE

    with guests

    Stalagmites

    Midas Fall

    Sun 26 May

    House of Cards Presents Midas Fall

    with guests

    T E Morris (Her Name Is Calla)

    Trip of Hares

     

    Captain dangerous

    Mon 27 May

    Out Of Touch Presents Captain Dangerous

    with guests

    Civilians

    Ice Pops For Breakfast

    sulk-online

    Tue 28 May

    Classic Slum Presents Sulk

    with guests

    Bad Language

    Wed 29 May

    Bad Language

    Print

    Thu 30 May

    Classic Slum Presents Camp Stag

    with guests

    Hands Out

    Delamere

    Sat 1 June

    Bourbon Street Beat

    with guests

    Sun 2 June

    Flapjack Press Presents Fergus Evans Book Launch

    with guests

    Michelle Green

    Jackie Hagan

    Ralfe-Band

    Mon 3 June

    Hey! Manchester Presents Ralfe Band

    with guests

    Are We Strangers Now

    Tue 4 June

    Red Balloon Presents Are We Strangers Now?

    feat.
    Liz Lawrence
    Phoebe Katis
    David Shurr
    Hayley Collins
    Tom Metcalfe

    HALL

    beatnight

    Tue 4 June

    Angel Headed Hipsters Presents Beat Night

    UPSTAIRS

    DENISON

    Wed 5 June

    Jackdaw Social Presents Denison Witmer

    with guests

    The Wands

    Thu 6 June

    MCR Scenewipe Presents The Wands

    with guests

    The Underground Youth

    Electromotive_Poster_20130706

    Fri 7 June

    Jack Reid & The Black Whip, Electromotive, James Kelly

    Sat 8 June

    Jackdaw Social Presents Samuel James Routledge

    with guests

    Effed Up logo2

    Mon 10 June

    ‘Effed Up Presents Stand-up Tragedy, Poetry & Open Mic

    Tales Of Whatever

    Wed 12 June

    Tales of Whatever

    Blue Rose Code A3

    Thu 13 June

    House of Cards Presents Blue Rose Code

    with guests

    Nolan R Watkinson

    Mantraluna

    Fri 14 June

    House of Cards Presents Mantraluna

    with guests

    Tribal Fighters

    Sat 15 June

    Tribal Fighters, Cheap Jazz, Brave The North & Great Deeds

    Cape Colony

    Sun 16 June

    Thinking Wishful Presents Cape Colony

    with guests

    This Is How We Fall

    After The Rush Hour

    Chasing Tratits

    First Draft Poster

    Mon 17 June

    First Draft Presents Cabaret in The Pub

    Tue 18 June

    Emma Elizabeth

    Daniel Bachman

    Wed 19 June

    Crowfoot Records Presents Daniel Bachman

    with guests

    Tongue_In_Cheek_Artwork

    Thu 20 June

    Tongue in Cheek Presents Live Poetry

    Ale-ternative

    Fri 21 June

    Ale-Ternative Presents Hundred Dollar Cigar

    with guests

    The Milk PunX

    Duke & The Darlings

    Sat 22 June

    akoustik Anarkhy Presents Clang Boom Steam

    with guests

    Other Room

    Mon 24 June

    The Other Room Presents Experimental Poetry

    Bad Language

    Wed 26 June

    Bad Language

    Thank Folk For That

    Thu 27 June

    Thank Folk For That Presents

    Line up TBA

    castle glasto poster 2

    Fri 28 June

    GLASTONBURY BIG SCREEN LIVE STREAM

    FREE ENTRY

    castle glasto poster 2

    Sat 29 June

    GLASTONBURY BIG SCREEN LIVE STREM

    FREE ENTRY

    castle glasto poster 2

    Sun 30 June

    GLASTONBURY BIG SCREEN LIVE STREM

    FREE ENTRY

    Are We Strangers Now

    Tue 2 July

    Red Balloon Presents Are We Strangers Now

    line up TBA

    Dead Wolf Club

    Wed 3 July

    Dead Wolf Club & Jamie Harding (Marion)

    An Escape Plan

    Thu 4 July

    House of Cards Presents An Escape Plan

    with guests

    Michelle Stodart (The Magic Numbers)

    Fri 5 July

    The Pulsebeats, Emperor Zero, Radio Nasties

    The Lucid Dream

    Sun 7 July

    Holy Are You Presents The Lucid Dream

    with guests

    Purple Heart Parade

    Effed Up logo2

    Mon 8 July

    ‘Effed Up Presents Tragedy, Stand up, Poetry and Open Mic

    Tales Of Whatever

    Wed 10 July

    Tales Of Whatever

    Thu 11 July

    Glasswerk Presents Honey Ryder **RESCHEDULED DATE**

    with guests

    Original tickets still valid

    Fri 12 July

    Brown Brogues

    Hollywood or bust

    Sat 13 July

    FYFR Presents Hollywood Or Bust

    with guests

    Thomas McConnell

    The Crombies

    TORRES Album Cover

    Wed 17 July

    Beta Presents Torres

    with guests

    Josh Record

    Thu 18 July

    SJM Concerts Presents Josh Record

    with guests

    Ale-ternative

    Fri 19 July

    Ale-Ternative Presents Clockwork Radio

    with guests

    Duke & The Darlings

    Russ Erwin

    Mon 22 July

    Harry Farmer Agency Presents Snowapple

    with guests

    Wed 24 July

    Red Balloon Presents Molly Jones and Lee Southall (The Coral)

    Fri 26 July

    Out Of Touch Presents Mount Fabric

    with guests

    Bad Language

    Wed 31 July

    Bad Language

    Gareth Icke

    Fri 2 August

    Eromenos Media Presents Gareth Icke

    with guests

    Fri 9 August

    Blair & The Butterfly and Danny Liptrott

    Tales Of Whatever

    Wed 14 August

    Tales of Whatever

    Other Room

    Thu 15 August

    The Other Room Presents Experimental Poetry

    Sat 17 August

    Kelly’s Heroes

    Twin Planets

    Sun 18 August

    Thinking Wishful Presents Twin Planets

    with guests

    Guardians

    Edits

    House of Cards

    Thu 22 August

    House of Cards Presents The Merrylees and Morrissey & Marshall

    Joint Headline

    Fri 23 August

    AMiTY

    abattpir blues

    Sat 24 August

    Abattoir Blues Festival

    line up TBA

    abattpir blues

    Sun 25 August

    Abattoir Blues Festival

    line up TBA

    House of Cards

    Thu 29 August

    House of Cards Presents Evening Hymns

    with guests

    Sat 31 August

    Sylvia

    with guests

    Sat 7 September

    Bauer

    ragged

    Thu 12 September

    The Ragged Project Presents Ragged Talks

    details TBA

    Tue 24 September

    Harry Farmer Agency Presents Johnny Dowd

    with guests

    Fri 27 September

    Glasswerk Presents Keston Cobblers Club **SOLD OUT**

    with guests

    Northern Noise

    Sat 28 September

    Northern Noise Presents Purple Heart Parade

    with guests

    Sun 29 September

    Glasswerk Presents Keston Cobblers Club **EXTRA DATE**

    with guests

    House of Cards

    Thu 3 October

    House Of Cards Presents Gerard & The Watchmen

    with guests

    Carefully Planned

    Sat 19 October

    Everything You Need Presents A Carefully Planned Festival #5

    Line up TBA

    Carefully Planned

    Sun 20 October

    Everything You Need Presents A Carefully Planned Festival #5

    Line up TBA

    House of Cards

    Fri 15 November

    House of Cards Presents Rue Royale

    with guests