Atherton Arms

When is an IPA not an IPA, that is the question? After a pleasant afternoon in Atherton for the BentNBongs Beer Fest, our group thought it was the done thing to have one more for the road before heading into Manchester city centre for further hoppy decadence. Now the Atherton Arms was chosen as we thought it would be quieter than the pub right across the road from the beer fest venue and although it was nothing too terrifying or awful, it was just very bland. So very very bland. The Atherton is a Holts pub which kind of goes with the territory of faux grandeur Holts places that I 've found myself in over the years all front, lack of quality to back it up! The staff were friendly which was nice and I got nattering to an elderly couple next to me while watching the football so the vibe wasn 't too bad in here, but we did only have the desire to stay for one drink and then get out of there asap. And that brings me back to my drink! What I had was a flat pint of some God awful Holts IPA but this was not an IPA, more on an IPZ it was that bad...

My friends and I obviously wanted to see some more of Atherton after the Bent N Bongs Beer Bash (see review [hidden link] . The Arms must have been chosen as it was within walking distance of Formby Hall. The pub was showing a football match on the big screen so it was full of punters. Not necessarily rowdy in there, but it wasn't the easiest of places to have a conversation (you can probably tell that I have zero interest in watching football . The beer seemed cheap and fine, but I wouldn't rush back here anytime soon to be honest.

Quite a nice little pub, I sometimes go here on a friday night for a quiet drink with my fella. Its always got a buzz to it, never dead and boring, but not usually really rowdy. The only time it gets a bit noisy is when the footie is on, and even then its just the usual buzz of men moaning, shouting, and chatting about off-side, was it a goal, wasnt it a goal, was it a foul, wasnt it a foul?? I'd say over all it is a nice little pub, cheap beer, good grub!

Nice place, great games room with snooker and pool. Large space plenty of tables. Holts beers well kept and good value. Usually have one or two guest beers on. Nice spirit selection as well. Sport on TV as well. Good value for money.

The Atherton Arms is a no nonsense boozer and thankfully chav free. There is a nice cosy feel about the place without being spaectacular and you are likely to find old grandads, students and suits all propping up the bar at any given time. The beer is cheap and most folk are friendly enough. It gets a bit loud and crowded on Friday and Saturday or when the footy is on.