The Bay Horse Tavern

Photography by Jody Hartley

Words by Simon Difford

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Address: 35-37 Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1NA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)161 669 5799
Email: info@thebayhorsetavern.co.uk
Website: view The Bay Horse Tavern’s website
Hours: Mon-Wed 11:00-01:00, Thu-Sat 11:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-01:00
Style: Gastro pub
Food: Set menu
Established: 2017

Review

Yet another Manchester bar that has benefitted from the Lyndon Higginson touch, this glorious gastro pub has literally been reincarnated from its ashes.

Formerly the Bay Horse Hotel, the building dates from the Georgian era but was gutted by fire in the 90s. This Grade II listed building has been lovingly restored while also being given a modern makeover – yes, it’s a pub, but is far from being a boozer. Lyndon describes it as ‘The Rovers Return meets Soho House’.

The Bay Horse Tavern boast all the requisites of a cracking boozer such as a great selection of local beers both cask and keg beers from Greater Manchester breweries, over 30 gins, a dartboard and a snug with its door and timber panelling reclaimed from the Trafford Park Hotel. And unlike most pubs, here the drinks offering extends to well executed classic cocktails such as Red Snapper, Irish Coffee and Gimlet.

On top of an insane selection of over 30 different flavours of crisps, The Bay Horse also boasts a serious food offering with a rotisserie kitchen and restaurant in the basement producing one of the best “small plate” menus I’ve ever encountered – here’s some of the highlights: Pig cheek with carrots & onion; Faggots & Spiced Sausage; Duck Heart with Blackberry Purée, Black Pudding & Cider Sauce; Sausages with Bubble ‘N’ Squeak & Gravy.

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