Whether you're a fan of the black stuff or not, there's no doubt it's hard to beat the atmosphere of a great Irish pub.
This is never truer than on St Patrick's Day when drinkers in Greater Manchester turn a shade of green, and not just from one too many glasses of Guinness. Luckily, there are a number of great Irish pubs that Mancunians will have the choice of celebrating in this weekend.
With St Patrick's Day falling pleasingly on a Friday this year, the festivities should be flowing seamlessly well into the weekend. So whether you're out with friends for a big night, or just looking for a quiet night in a cosy snug, Irish pubs are famed for their atmosphere, music and friendliness.
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But although there's plenty of places to enjoy the craic, let's raise a glass to some of our favourite Irish pubs and bars that are sadly no longer with us. Scroll below for a misty-eyed look back at seven Greater Manchester watering holes we've sunk our last pint of Guinness in. Slainté!
Waxy O'Connor's, Manchester city centre
One of Manchester's best-loved Irish bars closed for good in 2021, leaving a gaping hole in the city centre. Waxy O'Connor's had been a fixture in The Printworks for almost two decades.
The Irish pub was one of Manchester's most unique bars, a labyrinth of different areas connected by staircases and passages. At its centre was a centuries-old tree, brought over from Ireland to stand as a focal point in the bar.
Branches of the Irish pub chain still remain in London and Glasgow.
Shamrock Inn, Ancoats
The Shamrock was located on Bengal Street in Ancoats. One of Manchester's oldest Irish pubs, it dated back to 1808 and had served the area for over 200-years.
In 2018, the pub's former landlord was left devastated when Marstons, the brewery that owned the pub, made the decision to close it for good. However, it seemed a lifeline had been thrown in 2019, when the pub was taken over by new owners, Joseph Holt brewery.
At the time, Joseph Holt brewery marketing manager, Paul Longmire, said: "We are going to be adding considerable investment into the refurbishment of this pub. It will be refurbished into a Joseph Holt’s pub to give a modern offering in keeping with some of the newer food and drink businesses moving into the area."
However, the building has remained tinned up with construction work going on around its premises ever since. When the MEN contacted the brewery today, they confirmed that the pub is expected to reopen but will no longer be an Irish pub.
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A spokesperson for Joseph Holt brewery said: "Yes we do still own the Shamrock, however it is closed due to a major redevelopment that is planned for it. It will no longer be an Irish pub when it re-opens in early 2023."
Adding: "It will remain as a pub but will have substantial development and re-open with a new name."
32 Club, Ardwick
The Irish bar/nightclub 32 Club was based in a former Methodist Church on Higher Ardwick. These days the venue appears disused but the club's signs are still visible outside the building.
The 32 Club was popular in the '90s for its live music. There were also Friday night discos, line dancing nights and televised football on the big screen.
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The Palace, Levenshulme
Based in the old Palace Cinema in Levenshulme, the Palace owned by Hennigans was an Irish themed 860 person capacity venue that opened in 1989. As well as live music, it hosted comedians including Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas and Ardal O'Hanlon in its time.
In its heyday, it sponsored Manchester City Football Club Junior Blues who had their annual Christmas show in the club. After the club was sold, the building was later converted into an Indian restaurant.
O'Neill's, Didsbury
Based on Wilmslow Road in Didsbury, O'Neill's was part of the Irish-themed pub chain serving traditional Irish dishes as well as the black stuff. During the rugby world cup in 2005, drinkers in the pub could even ask for the head of their Guinness to come in the colour of the team they supported.
Online reviews of the pub said it was a good place for both a quiet drink or a big night out, often hosting busy band nights. The pub closed around 2013 becoming The Stoker's Arms before most recently becoming The Dockyard.
The Southern Hotel, Chorlton-cum-Hardy
In 2011, the pub closed after 90-years on the corner of Mauldeth Road West. In its later years, the pub was heavily Irish-themed and contained the Celtic Tiger nightclub and Mammy's Kitchen as part of the huge venue.
With two large bars and a function room, and another two bars on the first floor, the Southern Hotel really was a massive boozer. Following its closure, it became an Indian restaurant called Sai Spice.
Screwy Hughies
Screwy Hughies was based in a landmark pub building at the junction of Ashton Old Road, Fairfield Road and Ogden Lane in Higher Openshaw. The pub was a popular Whitbread/Chesters brewery watering hole for many decades.
Originally called the Halfway House, it was also known as The Tower during its time. It ceased trading in 2009 and later became a gym and then a hardware shop.
The building was badly damaged in a fire in 2017. Due to its unsafe condition, it was demolished in 2019.
What pubs do you miss the most? Let us know in the comments section below.
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