Revamped, relaunched and really good – NQ fave back in the race
MUCH as we love some of the recent additions to the Northern Quarter – from the tiled-lined bijou eateries and Nighthawks hangouts to the more cavernous sherry specialists and food markets – what has been missing is a proper boozer with a legit food offer aside from a bag of Seabrooks or the odd Manchester Egg. Missing until now, that is…
Enter stage left The Bay Horse Tavern, under new ownership on the west side of the NQ, and newly fitted out, including kitchen-wise. The three owners (also behind Black Dog Ballroom, Cane & Grain, Crazy Pedro’s and The Liars Club) were after running a food-focused pub, so when they heard that one of Manchester’s oldest drinking dens was up for grabs, they jumped at it.
Co-owner Lyndon Higginson told the Confidentials Editor back in October that the team were after a “modern take on the local”, saying: “We’re going for the Rovers Return meets Soho House.”
Open in time for the festive season, the traditional pub box is ticked with the likes of a darts board, dangling bundles of hops and curated displays of Toby jugs, while the aim for a warm and comfortable “home away from home” oozing with charm is achieved with the help of leather booths and wood panelled-walls, plenty of crystal, mirrors and flickering candles, and a classy marble and brass bar.
For libations, think gin and craft ales; for scran, think the best pub grub you can get – classically British (yet bang up-to-date) dishes cooked from scratch using locally sourced produce. If it’s a Full English or Sunday roast you fancy, you won’t be disappointed, and pies are covered too – with no less than six, from game to the veggie-friendly mushroom and leek.
The small plates menu will see you right if you’re sharing or grazing, ranging from £3 to £6. Our reviewer was partial to the black pudding in cider sauce, the duck heart with blackberry purée, and the ox cheek on toast – all homemade, natch – the chefs even bake their own bread.
Rotisserie, you say? Leave the nearby Mackie Mayor meat market to the thronging masses and head to The Bay Horse Tavern for its very fine plates of spit-roasts – particularly Pugh’s Piglets Preston-bred suckling pig, just £12. Pick from a side of mash or beef dripping chips with gravy, there’s also ribeye of beef and roast chicken up for grabs, should you prefer.
Finger-licking it sure is. What’s more, all this month, you’ll get 50% off when you book a table in advance.
See our film here.
Find out more about The Bay Horse here.
Fancy eating? Book a table here.
