CityLife

Pi

IN these troubled economic and political times sometimes you just need a reassuring arm around your shoulder, a little comfort and warmth in this cold modern age.

But as this is the bar column you’ll have to look elsewhere for maternal pat on the back. No we’re not going to tell you that everything’s going to be OK.

What we can do however is point you in the direction of Pi, a lovely, laid-back, cozy little bar/eaterie/pie emporium that’s become a much loved staple of the Chorlton social scene.

For here, scared little readers, you’ll find all those reassuring ingredients a worried barfly needs to enable him/her to hide out away from the scary news at ten headlines and emerge lightly boozed and cheerful at the end of an evening’s pleasant socialising instead.

Nice line in pies

A cosy boho interior, tasty beers, quality food, pleasant service and even the option of complimentary peanuts. Choose from dry roasted or salted and snack away to your heart’s content.

Pi does a nice line in Pieminster pies (try the Moo beefsteak pie with mash and minted peas or else the Pie Awards 2009 Champion Heidi, featuring sweet potato, goats cheese and red onion for a tasty mid week treat).

But it’s also proud of its epic selection of beers: 12 draught, including rotating guest cask (try the current Flat Cap, from Bank Top brewery in Bolton), plus over 60 bottled varieties – with an accompanying beer menu so you can make an informed choice.

It’s a very nice place to hang out with a paper, particularly now it’s open during the day and has installed a coffee machine that means you can alternate beer with caffeine.

Bags of character

It’s a small place but with bags of character, and if it gets too busy after work, there’s outside seating so you can spill out onto the pavement and enjoy your pint in comfort in the evening sun.

Yet another established feather in Chorlton’s burgeoning suburban bar capital crown.

Pi, 99 Manchester Rd, Chorlton Manchester, M21 9GA (0161 822 0000).

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