“It’s a Welsh name, but I’m not Welsh,” Huw Lloyd tells the Manchester Evening News. He’s behind the bar at The Freemount, a pub in the Northern Quarter.
You know the Freemount. It has live music, and a huge queue to get in most weekends. On the day of the M.E.N.’s visit, it’s a sunny Thursday afternoon.
There are a few punters inside, lit by the sun. Huw is chatting with a colleague behind the bar when he agrees to take part in this week’s I Work In Town .
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Affable, outgoing, and moustachioed, he’s everything you’d want and expect in a trendy bar-man. So, what does the man who serves pints for the masses think of Manchester?
Where’s your favourite hidden gem?
Maybe either The Castle, or The Eagle Inn. Both great spots. They’re good people, and you can get away from all the bulls***.
They’re regular spots for me and my mates. We’re not really big on going out-out, like clubbing, and we’re all musicians so they’re perfect.
What do you play?
I’m bass.
Are you in a band?
Yeah, we’re called Slap Rash.
What’s your favourite view of the city or in the city?
I spend a lot of time around Northern Quarter. Anywhere around Stevenson Square, maybe pushing out as far as Ancoats can be really beautiful.
The Marina is really tranquil, and it’s nice to have that space away from the city.
Where’s best to go for your dinner in town?
Nell’s. Nell’s is fun. The one just off Thomas Street. There’s good beer, too.
Where would you take someone to show them the real Manchester?
If you really want an experience of what’s going on here, stick around the Northern Quarter. Maybe just do a pub crawl around the streets. I’d take them to Yes. I like Flock. Fringe is nice and a little weird.
What’s your favourite Mancunian neighbourhood?
I’ve lived in Salford, Lower Broughton, around Albert Park all the time I’ve been here. That’s very much my familiar space. It takes you out of the city but it’s only a walk away.
What are the five words that best describe the city?
Diverse, current, chaotic, cultural, and brilliant.
City or United?
I’m City.
Liam or Noel?
Neither, but maybe Liam. I’d lean to Liam.
Your favourite city pub is…?
The Freemount!
Who is your favourite city ‘character’?
Barrington [with the boombox on a bike], I like him.
What’s the one thing you’d add to Manchester if you could…
More music venues. About 80 person capacity. I like a small venue, it’s the best.
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