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.
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On Tap
Tasting Notes: Robinsons Unicorn
A magnificent pale tart and thirst quenching bitter beer. Robinsons Unicorn is a fine mouthful of rich malt and hops, complimented by the complex aromas of Golding hops.
A long, dry finish with citrusy notes, this fine pint secured the Gold Medal Winner at the Brewing Industry International Awards.
Traditional Bitter -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Westons Old Rosie
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.
Medium Dry Cider -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Robinsons Crusoe
A refreshing lager-style amber ale with aromas of sweet malt and fine hops. Brewed traditionally using a blend of pale barely and wheat-malts, this crisp, clean tasting beer has a bitter and citrusy palate with a lingering green hop finish.
Definitely one for the desert island!
Lager Style Ale -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Hartley’s Cumbria Way
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.
Pale Golden Bitter -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Island Ales Nipper Bitter
Straw coloured, light and refreshing with a distinguishable balance of malt and hops and a satisfyingly morish afterbite. Its character displays the familiar qualities of traditional brewing at its best.
Straw Coloured Ale -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Robinsons Dizzy Blonde
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.
A Hazy Golden Beer -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Robinsons Old Tom
Named after Robinsons’ brewery cat, this superb dark, rich and reassuringly strong ale has a cherry brandy-like colour and character.
A delicate balance of ripe malt and peppery hops combine with roasted nut and chocolate to create a unique smoky richness.
Its distinctive deep port finish with bitter hops balance are complimented by heady, vinous aromas of dark fruit.
Sweet Malty Taste -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Robinsons Hatters
An excellent light mild ale with a dry roasted nutty malt palate and delicate Golding hop aroma. The delicate balance of of malt and hops in the finish will be enough to quench any thirst.
Malty Aroma -
On Tap
Tasting Notes: Robinsons Double Hop
This richly flavoured classic golden bitterbeer combines an interesting balance of both hop flavour and hop bitterness.
Full bodied, with rich malt and hops, this long lingering ale has a delightfully tangy citrus fruit and roasted malt finish.
All topped off with a mouth-watering dry hop aroma.
Sharp Citrus Notes
Gallery
Our Events
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Sat 19 May
Carefully Planned #12 All Dayer
Mon 21 May
SJM Concerts Presents The Chevin
Sat 26 May
Northern Noise Presents Bluebird Kid Clark
Sun 27 May
Red Balloon Presents Bird
Mon 28 May
Thank Folk For That Presents Paper Aeroplanes
Tue 29 May
Beta Presents Into It. Over It.
Wed 30 May
Bad Language New Writing Collective
Thu 31 May
Red Balloon Presents Folks
Sun 3 June
DHP Presents New Street Adventure
Mon 4 June
Glasswerk Presents Tristan McKay
Wed 6 June
Laissez Faire Club Presents Jake Mattison
Thu 7 June
Glasswerk Presents Towns
Sat 9 June
Cloud Sounds Presents The See See
Sun 10 June
House of Cards Presents John Stammers
Mon 11 June
First Draft Presents Cabaret in the Pub
Tue 12 June
The Other Room Presents Experimental Poetry
Thu 14 June
Queen Street Presents The Minx
Thu 21 June
Hey! Manchester Presents Vinny Peculiar
