The Castle Hotel

Reviews

• Baz H.

  star star star star star 12 June 2026

  I do love the castle, it's become one of my 'day off in the city' institutions, much like its nearby neighbour of Koffee Pot.
  
  The atmosphere is very old fashioned, which works to its charms, there is not much fancy going on in here to be fair, but that isn't a bad thing.
  
  Seating is a little scarce but that's to be expected when each room is mediocre in size...  As a gig venue for local acts it is very well put together, with its separate room and raised stage area.
  
  Some amazing ale is served to boot but never ask for Fosters, my mate did that and the staff were pretty relentless in their mockery... So was I...
  
  Staff are great and Dizzy blonde always goes down a treat, next time you're in the city and need a proper pint, you know where to come!

• Jonny Q.

  star star star star star_border 9 June 2026

  I love this pub, in fact I've been coming here for years and never tire of it's old world charm. Saying that - it's a place that I also never have on my go to list - it can be 6-7 months in between visits which is surprising given the amount of beer quaffed by me in the NQ each week...
  
  Saying that I think the beer is maybe the answer. With this being a Robbies pub, I'm just not massively keen on their range - and while not offensive, their style is definitely more old man bitter - even the new beers they say are as hoppy as hell always come back to tasting the same...
  
  But for a few beers it isn't a bad choice as the pub is great, the vibe in the back and upstairs welcoming and the jukebox upstairs is one of the best around - really good tunes and 5 picks for a £1.

• James C.

  star star star star_border star_border 3 June 2026

  Very old fashioned, somewhat austere old pub. Worth calling in for a drink if on a bar crawl around the Oldham Street area, but for me its not somewhere I'd choose to linger. Plenty of uncomfortable seating. Lots of additional space upstairs in very spartan surroundings. Average beer at average prices. Its inoffensive, but there are other pubs/bars in the area that I'd prefer.

• Nicole B.

  star star star star star 2 June 2026

  The Castle is my go-to drinking hole. Yes, some weeks I will visit it four times, and a week doesn't go by when I don't go for a pint at The Castle.
  
  There are no other pubs in Northern Quarter that offer the same friendly service and warm atmosphere, alongside an impressive array of local ales and an excessive spirit choice. I have never been to The Castle and not met an interesting punter, and the majority of my Manchester friends are ones which I have made in the smoking area.
  
  Talking of the smoking area - in the last week the grotty chairs have been replaced by wooden benches around the side of the small area, making a lot more room and much nicer surroundings.
  
  Seating inside has never been a problem - with the bar area, snug and an entire room upstairs providing ample seating choices. There's a juke box both downstairs and upstairs too - so you'll be spoilt for choice with the awesome songs on both of them.
  
  The Castle is also home to one of the best intimate venues in Manchester. The back room transforms into a venue which will fit about 70 people (at a push), and if you keep your eye on the gig listings you can see some impressive acts there. They also get involved with pretty much every festival in the city. If you're looking for a real music pub that shows Manchester in it's true glory - you'll find it at The Castle. And they're not paying me - I promise.

• Natalie W.

  star star star star star 26 May 2026

  The Castle basically has it all - a pleasant old pub interior, nice efficient staff, a great range of drinks including many things on taps which I am given to understanding implies ales (although no Coke in glass bottles? I cannot drink sickly sweet pricey Fentimans all the time you know) and a beautiful little music venue.
  
  The live music room has high ceilings and looks slightly like a chapel. When I went for a Carefully Planned Festival, the sound system and space worked really well for a indie rock band and a singer-songwriter. Definitely somewhere I would head back to again and recommend. The only thing I am not sure about is how much space there is to sit, didn't get to explore all the rooms although there definitely is at least one other side room besides the live music room and some space out back.