The experience of being bought or buying your first ever alcoholic drink is one of many memories that stay with us forever. The satisfaction of holding your first pint, taking a sip and figuring out your favourite brand as time can seem like a distant memory for many or a new chapter for the next generation.
From the staff who served us our debut drink to what was going on in world at the time and how much you paid, we still hold those memories close to us.
Going back years, some of the venues may not have been classed as Greater Manchester at the time. Whereas others are now confined to history or are just coming onto the scene.
Read More: Greater Manchester schooldays of years gone by captured in striking old photos
To reminisce, we asked you on Facebook where you had your first alcoholic drink and hundreds of you shared your memories of your old locals. Pubs, both past and present, from all over Greater Manchester were mentioned.
Here are 17 pubs that are fondly remembered for being the venues where some of us had our first pints. This list is by no means complete and only captures a number of pubs and some only have limited information. Share more memories of your favourites in the comments section.
1. Tommy Ducks
Landmark pub Tommy Ducks was on East Street across from the Midland Hotel. Mentioned by Nicola Dugdale, it was bulldozed in the 1990s.
In its place stands a Premier Inn hotel. Many will remember the ceiling was covered in underwear and that the building had roots going back to the 1800s.
2. The Midway Hotel
The Midway Hotel was on Stockport Road in Levenshulme. Suggested by Andrew Berry, its closure ended over a hundred years of history.
Throughout its life, it was rebuilt numerous times. In the years since it closed the building has housed a cash and carry and a private college.
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3. Trafford Arms
The Trafford Arms was located on Upper Moss Lane in Hulme. Reader Alan Butterworth named this pub as the place where he enjoyed his first pint.
The image above, courtesy of Manchester Local Image Collection, was taken in 1912. It is said to have closed in the 1960s and to now be demolished.
4. The Roach
The Roach Hotel was on Rochdale Road in Bury. Neil Holden said he returned regularly on leave from Army and had plenty of "excellent" nights in there.
Where did you have your first ever pint in Greater Manchester? Let us know in the comments section below.
5. The Whitworth
The Whitworth was on Moss Lane East, Rusholme. It closed around ten years ago and was later converted into a café, Anchor Coffee House.
The building is now owned by Vinelife Manchester church. Carl Kukla said this was the first place he had a pint.
6. March Hare
Suggested by Aaron Rea, the March Hare in Ashton-under-Lyne was located on Crowhill Road. It is said to have closed in 2014 and was demolished a year later.
In the early noughties, the Manchester Evening News reported how "little had changed" in the March Hare since it opened in 1960. Its authentic sixties decor also earned the Ashton pub a place on the Campaign for Real Ale's Heritage Pubs site.
Join our Greater Manchester history, memories and people Facebook group here.
7. The Ben Brierley
The Benjamin Brierley pub was on the corner of Kenyon Lane and Moston Lane. It was named after local writer and councillor, Benjamin Brierley.
The landmark building is still in the centre of Moston, but the pub has been closed for over a decade. William Sellers, Julie Wood and Linda Shone were among those to name the well-known pub.
8. The Empress
The Empress pub was on Cheetham Hill Road in Cheetham Hill. The building is now tearoom Cha Cha Chai.
The popular pub would have been the site where many had their first pint. George Holt was among those and suggested it.
9. Red Lion
MEN readers Freda Hill and Elaine McCarney suggested the Red Lion in Withington. Located on Wilmslow Road, the Grade II listed building is said to be the oldest pub in the area.
On their website, the said they offer a "traditional pub atmosphere." Customers can also enjoy their secluded beer garden and terraces.
10. The Shakespeare Pub
Located on Fountain Street, the black and white timber Shakespeare pub, suggested by David Buckley, has an intriguing place in Manchester's history. But while the building itself dates back to 1656, it did not take up home in the city until centuries later.
The pub started life as The Shambles pub in Chester in the 17th century. In 1928 it was dismantled, transported 40 miles to Manchester, and re-erected in its current location in the shadow of Lewis's department store - now the mighty Primark.
11. The Rising Sun
The Rising Sun is located on Queen Street in Manchester city-centre. Readers Derek Shanks and Hilary Campbell-McLean were among those to suggest the pub as the venue where they had their first pint.
On Google, it is described as "laid-back, photo-lined tavern offering cask ales, local brews, spirits & classic pub eats." The pub was said to have been built in the 1600s.
12. Manchester Arms
The Manchester Arms on Corporation Street was demolished to make way for the planned underground railway scheme between Piccadilly and Victoria, although the scheme never saw the light of day.
Eddie Roscoe named the pub. It had a history spanning decades.
13. The Circus Tavern
Located on Portland Street in Manchester, Andrew Gunnarsson Drew, Lars Laate and John Walsh all suggested this unique pub. The Circus’ building dates back to 1790, but it was not until 1942 that a brewery took over to transform it into a pub.
The Circus Tavern is the "smallest bar in Europe." It is also one of the oldest pubs in the city.
14. The Lantern Inn
The Lantern Inn in Wythenshawe is now demolished and was nominated by MEN reader Terry Hague. The photo above captures the long lost pub in 1971.
15. Little Jack Horners
This Stockport pub, nominated by Damian Stewart, was located on Lord Street. Now Baekdu, a Korean barbecue restaurant, it is said to have closed its doors in 2017.
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16. The Sawyer's Arms
Located in Deansgate, The Sawyer's Arms was the first place where reader William Ainsworth and many others bought their first alcoholic drink. He said he bought his first pint there for 17p.
You can find it a short stroll of Arndale Centre, The Lowry and Manchester Opera House. On its website, the traditional pub said it is "revered for its eclectic range of real ales and its quality pub food."
17. The Railway
The Railway pub was located on Chapman Street in Gorton and Martin John Carroll said it was the first pub he got his first pint from. It is said to have closed in 2009 and later the building changed its use.
