Northern Quarter pub named best in Greater Manchester six months after opening

A pub which has been open for less than seven months has been named Best Pub in Greater Manchester in The National Pub & Bar Awards.

The Bay Horse Tavern reopened in October, having been refurbished by new owners The Liars Group, aka Ross Mackenzie, Jobe Ferguson and Lyndon Higginson.

Described as The Rovers Return meets Soho House, it’s a modern take on the humble local boozer, serving the finest quality pub grub and an extensive selection of wines, spirits and locally produced beers.

There’s a darts room and beer garden. Downstairs is much more foody, with an open kitchen, intimate dining tables plus one large oval dining table for bigger groups.

“To be open just six months and picking up awards like this is nothing short of incredible,” said Lyndon.

“The Bay Horse Tavern was something a little different for us and we really wanted to establish it as a super cool and chilled modern pub that served amazing food and drink. I feel like we can certainly say ‘mission accomplished’ from the incredible feedback we’ve received since opening and can safely say we’ve got plenty more to come.”

The Thomas Street venue has been a Manchester institution since the Georgian era when the then Bay Horse Hotel was a popular place to drink with factory workers.

The venue burnt to the ground in the 1990’s and it wasn’t until 2004 that the pub was restored to its former glory – or something like it – by its previous owners.

The Liars Club’s portfolio includes Cane & Grain, Science & Industry, and Crazy Pedro’s as well as projects including Black Dog Ballroom, Dog Bowl, The Northern Quarter Restaurant, Junkyard Golf, and B.eat Street.

The Bay Horse Tavern is open 11am-12am Sunday to Thursday and 11am-1am Friday and Saturday.