Whether you love them or hate them, you can't deny that Wetherspoons pubs are a massive part of Britain's modern pub culture.
Wetherspoon pubs (affectionally known as 'Spoons) are undoubtedly the most famous pub chain in the UK, despite only being the third largest, with Stonegate operating the most nationwide. However, its conversion of unconventional premises, such as former cinemas and banks, into pubs, as well as cheap food and drink and effective PR have undoubtedly been instrumental to its success.
Since the chain's creation in 1979, Wetherspoon pubs are often termed 'super pubs' or 'super boozers', typically pubs impressive in size, able to accommodate a large amount of drinkers. These pubs often serve food and appeal to a broad section of society, some including families with children during the daytime.
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Now while terms like 'fun pub' and 'super pub' are more modern descriptions of particular types of drinking establishments, Manchester has certainly had some impressive pubs in its time that have sadly now closed or have been demolished. While some you wouldn't say were particularly 'family friendly', they certainly tick the box when it came to their stature and place in the community.
To celebrate these lost giants of Manchester's pub scene, we've put together a list of some of the most impressive 'super boozers' long before Wetherspoons. While this isn't a comprehensive list, it will hopefully serve as a snapshot of the iconic pubs the city's drinkers have enjoyed over the years.
Of course, if you think others should have been included on the list, let us know in the comments below.
The Kingsway Hotel
The Kingsway was a very large pub on Moseley Road in Levenshulme. Located at the junction of Moseley Road and West Point it was once a Berni Inn restaurant and a Greenalls pub.
Built in the early 20th century, it was a real community pub at one time, with many holding wedding receptions in one of its spacious rooms. There was plenty of space for customers to relax outside too.
It was acquired by Holts in the 1990s and ceased trading in 2018. Sadly now demolished, an apartment block now stands in its place.
Gorton Arms
The Gorton Arms, previously the Gorton Brook, was a very large stand-alone pub on the corner of Clowes Street and Belle Vue Street in Gorton. Once popular with locals and visitors heading to Belle Vue amusement park and speedway, it was known for its live music nights.
The pub, which dated back to the late 19th century, was demolished in the late Noughties. A modern accommodation block now stands in its place.
Big Western
Surrounded by modern housing, this imposing and impressive Victorian era boozer can still be found on Westman Walk in the heart of Moss Side. According to the excellent Pubs Of Manchester blog, the Big Western used to be called the Western Hotel, but acquired the "Big" prefix to avoid confusion with the Great Western on Sloane Street.
Old stables buildings adjoin the pub and give a clue to its age with the attached archway reading A.D. 1879. Now closed, the pub was open up until only a few years ago and was said to have had a unique atmosphere appreciated by locals.
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Bradford Hotel
The Bradford Hotel, on the corner of Mill Street and Wilson Street, was not far from the Etihad Stadium. Not a great deal is known about when if first opened as a pub but if finished its life as Champagne Charlies and Guvnors Sports Bar.
A fine looking pub and impressive in size, it was demolished in the late Noughties.
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Land O Cakes
The strangely named Land O Cakes on the corner of Great Ancoats Street and Lever Street perhaps didn't quite have the grandeur of some of the other pubs on this list, but it was A legendary Manchester boozer in its own right. The name is a reference to Scotland via Robert Burns' poem 'On The Late Captain Grose's Peregrinations Thro' Scotland': "Hear, Land o' Cakes, and brither Scots..." with the cakes referred to being oatcakes.
What's surprising about this pub building is its age, having opened in 1791, as The Griffin with an attached brewhouse. In 1840, the formation of the UK's first working class party, the National Charter Association, had their first meeting in this pub.
Sadly, after over 200-years, the pub closed in 2005 having changed its name to the New Land 'O' Cakes and then the Lord Atterbury. The building is now home to a Bem Brasil restaurant.
Blackstock Hotel
This absolute titan of a boozer was located on the corner of Upper Brook Street and Blacklock Street in Chorlton-on-Medlock. Dating back to 1876, the vast multi-roomed Blackstock was said to have had a beautiful Masonic Hall on the top floor, with a black and white tiled floor and thrones at either end, according to a comment on the Pubs of Manchester blog.
The pub closed in 2011 with a computer company most recently occupying the building.
White Lion
This impressive looking pub, with its looming clock tower was an attraction for generations of drinkers on Wilmslow Road in Withington. A historic Grade II listed building dating back to 1881, it was built in an eclectic gothic style and would surely have been an impressive place to spend a Friday night.
The White Lion was a popular pub for live music in the 1970s and '80s, and its cellar bar held a rock disco at weekends. The pub stood empty for a number of years after closing in 2007, but has since been converted into a Sainsbury's Local supermarket.
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