Best pubs for pre-match atmosphere near Old Trafford

padzilla

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Hi folks me and the brother are going to Old Trafford for the Southampton game travelling from Ireland. Can anyone recommend some decent boozers near the ground to grab a few pints before the game?
 

McGrathsipan

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Hi folks me and the brother are going to Old Trafford for the Southampton game travelling from Ireland. Can anyone recommend some decent boozers near the ground to grab a few pints before the game?
There's loads around the ground.
Go early.

Trafford Bar.
Bishops Blaize.
Railway club.

All shot holes I might add.
 

Random Task

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Sam Platts is the place to go, full of United fans and is always lively, especially on match days. At least it was when I last went to OT.

Do you plan on visiting the town center? Plenty of pubs/clubs around there if so.
 

Revaulx

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Sam Platts is the place to go, full of United fans and is always lively, especially on match days. At least it was when I last went to OT.

Do you plan on visiting the town center? Plenty of pubs/clubs around there if so.
Er, it’s been demolished as it stood in the path of a new tram line.
 

Revaulx

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That's criminal. Really, someone needs slapping.

When did that happen out if interest?
Demolished a couple of months ago. Closed not long before then.

Hardly criminal. It was only open on match days in its last few years of operation, and was idiotically built on the path of a disused railway line, which is simply being repurposed.

It would be great to get this place open again: https://goo.gl/images/WKGcdK
 

SalfordRed18

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Theyre all a bit shite due to the location of old Trafford. Best drinking in town centre then jumping on the tram or train
 

padzilla

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Cheers lads. I was in the Toll Gate before - possibly a decade ago but i think I'll give it a go this weekend.
 

Lentwood

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Bishops is a solid shout imo but get there early as the queue can be huge!

It’s also ticket-only so make sure if you are collecting tickets on the day that you have them on you before you stand in the queue for 20mins!

I find it’s the best place for a bit of pre-match atmosphere and a sing song.
 

Mr Anderson

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Tollgate is good for atmosphere. Most of the Sam Platts crowd have gone there. Handy as well, just get off the tram at Trafford bar and you’re 20 seconds away.
 

TheReligion

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The best thing to do pre game is to log onto the Caf pre game and post threads about City and how much you dislike Mourinho.

You can really get a feel for the atmosphere by doing this.
 

simplyared

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Tommy Ducks! Couldn't resist that. An icon that went under the bulldozers years ago. Was brought to the ground overnight, nobody new.They used to have topless bar maids in there every Sunday and knickers all over the ceiling.
 

Acole9

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Not really a boozer but avoid going for a drink in hotel football, well snooty in there.
 

M18CTID

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If you want a sing song, then clearly it’s the Bishop’s Blaize. No, I haven’t been in myself on a United match day obviously!

However, if you’re prepared to sacrifice some of the atmosphere, a decent place for a drink where you can get served easily and hasn’t been mentioned so far is The Dockyard at Media City. Conveniently located adjacent to the Media City tram stop, I’ve been in there prior to most recent Old Trafford derbies - it’s a pretty safe haven for us blues even though plenty of United fans use it. Loads of decent beers on tap which are served in glass pint pots rather than plastic glasses, and a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium.
 
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I like The Trafford for a pre-show cocktail. A stone's throw from the stadium, good people, decent Guinness. My dad used to go on there when he was a student at Stretford College, and the tradition lives on.
 

Token Sheet

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If you want a sing song, then clearly it’s the Bishop’s Blaize. No, I haven’t been in myself on a United match day obviously!

However, if you’re prepared to sacrifice some of the atmosphere, a decent place for a drink where you can get served easily and hasn’t been mentioned so far is The Dockyard at Media City. Conveniently located adjacent to the Media City tram stop, I’ve been in there prior to most recent Old Trafford derbies - it’s a pretty safe haven for us blues even though plenty of United fans use it. Loads of decent beers on tap which are served in glass pint pots rather than plastic glasses, and a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium.
Can't believe I'm quoting a blue about going to Old Trafford but Dockyard is a decent boozer pre match for food and drink.

If you then walk towards the Lowry and the bridge you also have Lime bar, Alchemist and a small little bar called Craftbrew.

You won't get the atmosphere in these pubs but you'll get a decent pint and less hassle getting served.
 

Lennon7

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The Toll Gate is the best, less full of hooligan wannabe wankers but still a great atmosphere. Also some good, cheap places to get food over the way, and it’s right on the less crowded tram stop (Trafford Bar).
 

M18CTID

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Can't believe I'm quoting a blue about going to Old Trafford but Dockyard is a decent boozer pre match for food and drink.

If you then walk towards the Lowry and the bridge you also have Lime bar, Alchemist and a small little bar called Craftbrew.

You won't get the atmosphere in these pubs but you'll get a decent pint and less hassle getting served.
Thanks ;)

Didn’t realise there was an Alchemist at the Lowry as well - that’s my credit card getting a hammering at the next Old Trafford derby. There’s also the Harvester at the Lowry but thought it was a bit shit when we went in a few years ago.
 

Burkie7

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I'm heading over from Ireland tomorrow too, I'm thinking of heading Red Square its normally good but haven't being in over a year as been in Australia. How is it now?
 

Rood

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When is the last time you went? It's now attracted much of the crowd from Sam Platts since that closed and recently it's been pretty lively...
Yes the Tollgate has changed completely this season - a combination of J stand prematch meet ups and refugees from Sam Platts (I assume the new marquee is to keep them away from the old punters)

In fact it is now too busy for my liking and Im looking for a new place to go prematch !
 

ZupZup

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Yes the Tollgate has changed completely this season - a combination of J stand prematch meet ups and refugees from Sam Platts (I assume the new marquee is to keep them away from the old punters)

In fact it is now too busy for my liking and Im looking for a new place to go prematch !

Yep. Exactly... I've been quite a few times this season and it's always been rammed. Plenty of chanting... red smoke bombs etc.

Like you say, if anything it's too busy... but at least you don't have to queue outside like at the Blaize and you can grab some cans pretty fast from the little outside pop-up bar next to the marquee.
 

Bobcat

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As a tourist myself i have ended up at Bishops a couple of times, which has good atmosphere but is crowded as fecking shit. Tollgate has less singing, but more space. Still, the most fun i've had was in Circus in Portland Street and then grabbed a taxi
 

abaka

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Bishops Blaize for me.

I've been attending matches for years and always go here for Pre Match, I've also been to a few different matches where we've been playing away and went to Bishops if I happen to be in Manchester (I'm from Belfast).

Awesome atmosphere, yes it's packed....but you're about to go into a stadium with 76,000 people....If you don't like crowds, support City.