Not your average craft beer bar, Levenshulme’s Overdraught on the rich and varied Stockport Road drag (just about in the middle between the dual delights of the Levy bakery and Trove) opened back in 2019, with a view to keeping things party-ready.
So yes, the beer is great. But it’s not all fusty real ale gents discussing hop varieties, niche pilsners and scraping crisps out of their beards (though there is real ale, pilsners and beards are very much welcome on the premises, ditto crisps).
They have an impressive 30 taps, pouring beers from some of the country’s very finest craft breweries, from locals like Pomona and Sureshot to orbitals like Vocation and Beartown to acclaimed nationals like Verdant, Polly’s and Deya.
In fact, the bar lays the claim to having the widest range of keg beer of any independent bar in the whole of Manchester (and that’s before we get to the cocktail menu).
But it’s not just about the drinks at Overdraught. It’s got it all going on, with a constant rotation of entertainment. There’s something going on nearly every night of the week, from open mic and open decks nights to art exhibitions, quiz nights and crochet clubs (yes, crochet).
Out front, there’s a sun-trap terrace with heaters for the winter, and inside, the back room – a former bank vault – has heaters of its own, hosting regular club nights until late, taking in everything from hip hop and disco to soul and house. There’s even a free community cinema.
Every neighbourhood needs – nay, deserves – a bar like this.