You have to love a little sibling rivalry. No sooner had Thomas and Sarah Studd opened the doors on Mr Thomas’ Chop House, Samuel Studd decided to do the same on his own. Hidden down a charming backstreet that feels pretty far removed from the nearby Arndale Centre, Sam’s Chop House began welcoming hungry and thirsty Mancunians in 1869, at a time when chop houses were all the rage. Popular with the well-heeled and connected, whether that’s high flying businessmen, politicians, or community leaders, the proposition was simple enough: good quality cooked meat and excellent ales. Essentially, the best of British ingredients at the time.
Skip forward a century and a half, give or take, and clearly some things have stayed the same, although not everything. So, Sam’s Chop House still have aesthetics in-keeping with its heritage, a lower ground floor, wood-clad, traditional inn-style space with dedicated bar and eating areas. The location itself has shifted, though, due to the vast damage inflection on its original site, Cockpit Hill, close to modern day Market Street, during World War II’s blitz. Not so long after that move, it became a favourite haunt of one Lawrence Lowry, now regarded among the most important artists to come out of Manchester (well, Salford) what with his own dedicated cultural centre at the quays.
Today his statue still props up the bar, adding to Sam’s iconic status. Back story aside, this place remains one of best authentic food pubs in the city centre, using exceptional ingredients sourced from local producers and suppliers to serve amazing comfort food in a truly atmospheric setting. The award-winning wine list, put together by George Bergier and very strong selection of beers also ensure that along with the eats you’re bound to leave feeling satisfied, no matter the choice of tipple.
