The Toll Gate Inn, Manchester

Parking attendant is far too eager to the point of intimidating. I pulled in and he was straight on my case telling me there was no parking and he�d clamp me if I put my car in the car park - before even finding out if I was going in the pub or not! I did go in and had a J2O. While supping in the sun I overheard some other customers complaining to the landlady that they�d been clamped and the landlady had to get the guy to take the clamp off so the paying customers could leave.

Probably won�t bother again.

7 Aug 2009 14:22

Mother Macs, Manchester

Excellent pub. Always a friendly welcome which is what I look for in a boozer! You can find me in here most fridays after work.

Jay

25 Sep 2008 12:52

The Circus Tavern, Manchester

Lets hope the new owner/landlord will be a little more hospitable than George was to me. I may even consider going back there. Then again, I may stick with Mother Mac's off Lever St - Always friendly in there.

27 Feb 2008 14:45

The Circus Tavern, Manchester

I was introduced to this pub about 6 months ago and have always found it to be an excellent, warm friendly place for a few drinks without the hassle or blaring music usually associated with city centre Manchester. Sometimes the door is closed - which I took to be a sign that the place is full - so entry isn't always guaranteed.
I generally go to The Circus for a few drinks on my way home from work on Fridays. The lovely waitress remembers me every time, knows what I'm drinking and brings it to where I'm sitting. Fantastic!
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting the landlord George. As usual on a Friday at about 8 o'clock I arrived at the door to The Circus. The door was closed but a couple in front of me had knocked on. The landlord opened the door, welcomed in his 'spanish friends' and shouted to the waitress to get them a drink on the house. I hadn't met the man up to now although I'd seen him around the pub a few times so I introduced myself and asked if it's ok if I come in for a pint. He shook my hand and I came in and was shown to a seat by the lovely waitress who knew what I was drinking. Unfortunately, as I was waiting for my drink the landlord decided for some unknown reason that he didn't want me there anymore. I hadn't done anything to upset anyone as far as I could see and I tried to explain that I do frequent the place, I haven't just stumbled in from the street. The man didn't want to hear and simply said "nonononono". Fair enough, it's within his rights I guess. But I will forever wonder what the reason could have been for his change of mind. Apparently, the closed door isn't a sign of full capacity, it means that tonight it's friends of the landlord only and if your face doesn't fit then goodbye. A shame that such a great place is so exclusive. I have a sneaking suspicion that it's perhaps because at 25 I'm too young to fit into the decor (Although in the time I've been going I've met some great people from 30 to 85 and gotten along famously). This however would be discrimination on the grounds of age which was rendered unlawful by parliament at the end of last year so of course I wouldn't suggest it for a second.
I've rated this a 6. it would have got a 9 as I really do think it's a lovely place but if I can't get inside to drink then it renders the place obsolete to me. I probably won't be returning but I would recommend this pub to people as a fantastic pub full of life and energy from rugby teams singing heartily to guitarists playing all the old greats!

2 Mar 2007 21:27