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Horse & Jockey
THE pub with the loveliest location in suburban south Manchester has finally got the interior it deserves, courtesy of one of the original pioneers of city centre bar culture, Peter Dalton, and his business partner, former Croma restaurant manager Simon Davis.
The Horse and Jockey on Chorlton Green, which has long underwhelmed bar-goers with its tired interior (counterbalanced by the pretty green outside, which ensured ongoing popularity), reopened as a gastro pub last week.
Its new owners are capitalising on the history of the building (which dates back to the 1500s) to create a traditional pub with a modern twist.
First a set of cottages, then a school, then an inn and coach house, the original features of the building are concealed within a mock Tudor façade which was erected in 1907 as part of a Victorian redevelopment of the site that saw the introduction of a brewery on the premises.
Beers are no longer brewed on site (though the re-establishment of a microbrewery is on the cards) but in the new Horse and Jockey you can order from a selection of cask ales, which are stored at perfect temperature in the newly converted beer cellar.
Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Theakstons are resident, with guest ales like Wherry, Alton’s Pride, Morrissey Fox Blonde, Most Wanted and many more on rotation over coming months.
But there’s more to this redeveloped pub than its beer. Gone is the tatty aesthetic.
Instead find exposed brick walls, flat screen plasma TVs, copper top tables, exposed beams, tankards hanging over the bar, malt whiskies and wood surfaces, with black pudding on the menu, fresh (and traditional) artwork on the walls and a new sense of space.
In addition, Peter and Simon have created a dedicated restaurant for those who want a more formal eating experience than the pub food will allow.
Overlooking the green, the 40-cover space will provide table service as an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the main room.
Horse and Jockey, 9 The Green, Chorlton M21 9HS (0161 860 7794).
Reviewed: Thu, 28 May, 2009
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Reviews (2)
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Jamie Chambers 274
05/03/10 12:41
Since Peter and Simon took over, the Horse and Jockey gone from strength to strength and is now my first choice for a mid-week or weekend drink.
There's a nice, laid back, unpretentious vide to the place and a warm welcome from the staff which makes this the pefect place for a drink. If drinking's your thing, there's fantastic selection of ales with regular new guest ales from local breweries and beyond. They also have a large selection of whiskies, if you're that way inclined (bit more of a rum fan myself so wouldn't mind a bigger selection there, wink wink, nudge, nudge...) and there's a knowledgeable selection of good wine and good international bottled beers in the fridges.
Food ain't too bad either and well priced with the menu offering something for every palate and well thought out. I'd recommend something in particular but I've never had a bad meal there so pick with confidence.
They seem to really care about the pub's place in the community too with regular events for all branches of the local community (arts and craft fairs, beer festivals and the like) which I think has really helped cement its place within a busy pub scene in Chorlton in a short space of time and is testimony to the efforts of the owners.
In all, I think they've done a cracking job with the place and well done to the whole team behind the Jockey.
This review is the opinion of a CityLife reader and not that of CityLife itself
Anonymous
manchester
05/01/10 20:02
Had a lovely meal here all homecooked & still has the traditional pub feel will be goin backxx
This review is the opinion of a CityLife reader and not that of CityLife itself
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