The Britons Protection

The Britons Protection pub has a place in the heart of many a Mancunian. It’s been here since the early 19th century and has Grade II Listed status thanks to its 1930s’ features and traditional layout.

The narrow bar at the front is just the start. Follow the tiled corridor through to the back and you’ll find two more cosy rooms, both with open fires and zero TV screens (hooray!). A serving hatch between them means you don’t need to trek all the way back to the front for your drinks.

The Britons is well known for its collection of whiskies with about 300 bottles in stock. Look out for whisky-tasting events in the function room upstairs. Cask ales are another strength with eight on rotation.

The pub still has its original 1930s urinals, apparently. The women’s toilets are equally ‘historic’ by the looks of them, but it all adds to the charm.

Out the back, there’s a good-sized beer garden complete with Scottish whisky mural, plentiful outdoor heaters, and lots of space to sit and sip while the sun sets behind the Hilton Hotel.

The rapid development of this area means that the pub is constantly in danger of being overshadowed, literally, by new buildings. But as one of Manchester’s most characterful and best-loved pubs, it’s unlikely to lose its long-standing spot on Great Bridgewater Street any time soon.