Technically though I live mostly in Stretford but considering there’d only be The Streford Sip Club and ALDI in that one, Urmston it is.
There’s a bit of a buzz about the place, what with news of a potential Mackie Mayor type market taking over the Market Hall, as well as a few proper decent openings over the past couple of years. Here’s what you can expect from a visit…
The Steamhouse
Just like a serial killer confessing to the bizzies – I’ll start with my favourite. The Steamhouse is one of them ‘Pubs in a Train Station’™ that you see all the time on the Ale Trail. This one stands out though because of it’s fantastic range of foreign beers – most noticeably Belgian and German. In fact, the massive Weihenstephaner Weissbier tap facing you as you enter is a huge selling point – the beer is truly stunning. It’s also not unusual to see the odd local ale knocking about including the brilliant (and strong) Old Tom from Robinsons. They also do food here, which is very reliable and a lovely smelling Carvery on Sundays.
The Steamhouse, Station Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 9SB
0161 748 6487
Kelder Wines
A great little wine shop that packs away more than 140 different wines from around the world, including an impressive range of organic, vegetarian and vegan wines. To be fair I didn’t even know that wines weren’t always vegan and vegetarian but I’ve just read up about a process called ‘fining’ and it’s all much clearer now. It’s a great spot to sit and have a relax over a few glasses of red, and they even have regular events going on like wine tastings, masterclasses and even a monthly book club.
20 Station Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 9JN
www.kelder.co.uk
Prairie Schooner Taphouse
Absolute no brainer this one. Recently (ish) opened, Taphouse has one of the best beer selections in the whole of Greater Manchester – never mind Urmston – with a selection of rotating ales and a shit load of bottles and cans available to buy and sup inside. Basically, they’ve got more booze than you’d find in George Best’s cistern, from ales, liquor, wine and ciders. If you’re thirsty – this is the best place to come in Urmston by far. Order yourself a Salty Kiss and you’re laughing.
Prairie Schooner Taphouse, 33 Flixton Rd, Urmston, Greater Manchester M41 5BQ
prairie-schooner-taphouse.co.uk/
Adrak
Okay so I’ve never actually eaten at Adrak because I’ve only lived there for around a week and a half, but my housemate assures me that it’s a fantastic traditional Curry House which is always reliable, always delicious and always hits the spot. They have all your favourites in their extensive menu, as well as a great selection of Chef’s Specials. I’ve just spent 10 minutes deciding what I’d eat when I get there and I’ve still not made my mind up. Probably a good idea to each buy two dishes, a couple of garlic naans and then tuck in with a couple of frosty pints of Cobra.
Adrak, 96 Flixton Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 5AD
www.adrak.co.uk/
The Assembly
A ‘suburban beerhouse’ that offers up an impressive range of constantly changing beers, ales and lagers – most of which will come from local breweries so it’s all going to be fresh and fizzy and fine. There a good bunch in here – even going so far as to get their negative Facebook comments printed on the back of staff t-shirts. It seems most of the negativity comes from the fact that people don’t like their prices or don’t like ‘hipsters’ in Urmston. Well, those people can stick to Wetherspoons down the road while we get on the pints in here.
31 Station Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 9JG
www.theassemblymcr.co.uk
The Barking Dog
Located in the old Post Office, The Barking Dog is a great boozer, one Urmston’s best in fact. They have everything a decent boozer should do including a rotating range of cask ales, a few fizzy commercial lagers, a massive range of gin and an eclectic menu of pub classics. They’ve pretty much completed it when it comes to creating a warm, comfortable environment in which to get hammered while chatting to your mates and if you get the chance – try one of their brilliant platters. Preferably the Ploughman’s.
9a Higher Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 9AB
www.the-barking-dog.co.uk
Get Chucked
Popping up during the big burger craze a couple of years back, Get Chucked has been doing some smashing business in Urmston since then and have continued to adapt and improve their menu into the tightly packed and brilliant creation it is today. It’s one of those places where you’re unlikely to be surprised at what they flog when you walk in – specialising in meat, burgers, loaded fries and juicy BBQ ribs. If you leave this place still hungry, or without type B diabetes – you’ve not done it correctly and need to turn around immediately. Oh yeah – they also do brunch now too!
Get Chucked, 40 Flixton Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 5AA
getchucked.co.uk/
The Cheese Court
Newly opened up on Crofts Bank Road, The Cheese Court is exactly what you want it to be – a cheese shop. They’re packed to the rafters with a whole host of artisan cheeses, wines and meats, as well as some cracking chutneys to splurge on top of your crackers on a Sunday evening. I got a lovely bit of stinky stilton in here the other day that’s still in my fridge as I write this. I absolutely cannot wait to get myself home and tuck into it while watching Men Behaving Badly. If you too want to be as cool as me – The Cheese Court is the way to go.
18 Crofts Bank Rd, M41 0TS, Urmston
www.facebook.com/thecheesecourtofficial
La Torre
I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about La Torre whenever I bring up Urmston and judging by what people are saying, it should definitely be on your list of places to stuff your fat face on a day out. They’ve been going for years, offering high quality tapas to the people of Urmston (and further afield). Again, you’re not going to be particularly surprised by the menu, but you will be by the quality and the proper good authentic Spanish flavours. If you’re looking for somewhere to sit and drink and feel like you’ve been whisked off to Madrid, this is the place. As long as you don’t look out of any windows that is.
La Torre, 94 Flixton Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 5AD
www.la-torre.co.uk/
Theru Kadai
This Indian place run by husband and wife team Raj and Trishna has been creating a bit of a buzz, serving up some dead-good regional Indian rub complete with craft booze. Our food writer Tim reviewed this place a few weeks back and he was very impressed. I’m not going to copy and paste anything here – just give it a read – it looks fantastic!
Theru Kadai, 218 Church Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 9DX
https://www.therukadai.co.uk
The Roebuck
Located just down Church Road, The Roebuck is a colossal pub – the kind you’d use as a base if you were an Elf in Middle Earth – with rooms to lodge, bars to drink, food to eat and a nice big car park in which to park your horse/dragon/Ford Mondeo. Walking in you’ll be greeted with a proper decent boozer with plenty of top craft beers on tap, loads of decent pub grub and friendly faces. It’s the kind of place you could spend a full Saturday in, slowly popping pints of cider down your neck while talking about the finer aspects of Pork Scratchings with your mates. There’s also a brilliant beer garden round the back.
The Roebuck, Church Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 6HD
0161 748 4046
