The Briton’s Protection

This is now the 2^nd time I’ve been The Britons Protection and although I’m not a fan of the name (a little bit EDL) it is a very good, properly British, pub.
Out of all the pubs in Manchester that I’ve been the Britons protection has my favourite interior. It is split into 3 very differently decorated rooms: the bar area at the front, small and maybe a bit crowed, and two, more spacious seating round the back. Each room is decorate the way I believe a British pub should be.
The drinks selection could be improve. It has only a few cask ales and a small selection on standard lagers. It did look like it might have a decent whisky collection however I’m no expert (and I did see jack daniel’s so maybe not)
All in all great atmosphere, awesome interior and only the beer preventing 5 stars.

You can’t get much cosier a pub than the Briton’s Protection. There are TWO fires in this place (yes, two) with lots of small rooms and nooks and crannies to get lost in. They are famous for their huge range of whiskies (over 300) but they also serve a great selection of ales on tap. It can get very busy in here on a cold winter’s day so be prepared to elbow your way through to a seat.

When it comes to traditional pubs in Manchester the Briton’s Protection is as good as it gets. I love the old fashioned wooden bar and the little snug rooms that you can sit and have a drink in. It’s great in the Winter because they have a log fire to keep you warm and nice in the Summer because you can sit out in the well decked beer garden. With loads of beer and spirits to choose from you can’t go far wrong with a visit to the Britons Protection.

I’m always telling people about this place so I should probably review it; The Britons Protection is a rather shabby looking pub in an area filled with fancy bars, but that’s ok as it has one of the largest collections of whiskies and spirits I’ve ever seen. If you’re a fan of whisky then this is the place to come in manchester, the whisky jar can’t touch this place for choice. Aside from the spirits the bar is fully stocked with ale and wine with a good selection of beers on offer, there is a beer garden and that is it really. I don’t go very regularly but this pub should be on any pub crawl around this area of manchester as its a real gem.

Stop two on my (pub) tour of Manchester and Michael and Emily brought me here. This totally reminds me of a traditional old man pub that you would expect to find in the UK. So Manchester definitely fulfilled when it comes to that.
I got a dark beer here, because it’s my favorite kind. And it was delicious. But there was a large selection of draught beers to choose from which is always a plus in my book. There’s plenty of seating if you head to the back bars. The rooms are really old fashioned, but it definitely gave the place charm and character.
I also got some crisps. Because they had McCoy’s Mexican Chili which are my favorite type of crisps! So delicious. I think Michael and Emily enjoyed them as well.
Will definitely be a place I’d come back to if I come back to Manchester. Good beer and good atmosphere always makes for a grand time. Although if I were to come back and spend some time here, I’d probably give their extensive whisky menu a go.

I’m not a whiskey fan. I appreciate some people will think, with some justification, that I am therefore unable to properly review this pub. But consider this a review of what else the Briton’s Protection has to offer: a good location, an OK bar, a good selection of drinks, a slightly steep price list.
The Briton’s Protection is very conveniently near the middle of town, just down the road from Manchester Central and the Bridgewater Hall. It’s a nice old building too, laid out almost like a house with a few rooms instead of a central open plan. I don’t find it a particularly welcoming place though, with the décor being pretty heavy and dated. More reminiscent of a grandparent’s house you endured visits to than somewhere you’d choose to spend time. The beer garden is another matter though, with a decent sized space filled not too tightly with nice and comfortable tables, chairs, and benches. Given the Manchester climate there are sadly too few chances to enjoy an afternoon there, but it’s very pleasant when the weather permits.
As for the pub fare itself, I must admit I found it pretty average. I was impressed with the range, which included three house wines of each colour and plenty of beers/​ales on tap. But what I drank (wines) was no better or worse than I would have expected at any random pub, or probably even a Weatherspoons (they often impress me these days, actually). And I felt like I was paying a somewhat premium price tag for it. A small glass of decent (but no better) wine set me back almost £4, and that was the norm for a pint as well. This isn’t crazy expensive, but I couldn’t put my finger on what I was getting for the extra I was spending over going to a Spoons.
By contrast, I can clearly see what I get at nearby establishments which charge the same or more than the Briton’s. The bar at Home Mcr is 2 minute’s walk away, and a really nice (and quiet) place to grab a drink, some food, and chat with friends. Or walk across Albert Square and grab some really great wine at Salut.
In short: I don’t have anything against The Briton’s Protection, but it seems undercut or outperformed by rivals in every (non-​whiskey) department.

Sure, you could go there and have a beer, I suppose, but I don’t know why you would want to. Not when they have SO MUCH WHISKEY! Ian and Sam were working the bar. They’re both professional and friendly. They know a thing or two about whisky. When I stay in Manchester I always visit for a wee dram. You should too!

Didn’t eat here, but drank plenty and I have to say that this is a great pub. Fantastic array of local beers, knowledgeable and super-​friendly staff, great old interior, and one hell of a whiskey collection. This is a place I will go to every time I visit Manchester.

probably my favourite pub in manchester so far (still have a few to visit though)! feels like a local pub while being located in manchester city centre! each time i go there for a drink i end up spending the night! very nice atmosphere and friendly staff! the main reason why we got there for the 1^st time was because we heard about their great selection of whiskey and we were not disapointed! so many choice from all around the world! most importantly the manager is an expert whiskey that will help you finding your favourite!
if you are not a whiskey fan they also have few nice ales on tap!
will probably have to go back as i still have to try their food, and few whiskeys!

I have only drunk here, not eaten, but I can attest that they have a nice selection of real ales and that the lady who worked the bar when we were there is able and willing to help you find a beer to your liking. Interesting interior, too. If you are nearby, do make yourself a favor and pop in here for a pint or two. You can thank me later (buy me a pint, perhaps?).

If you are a whisky lover or you just love a traditional pub then the BP is for you. The renovation of the Beer Garden is great for summer drinks with friends or this pub is a great place to warm up by the fire after walking around the Christmas Markets. I’ve spent many a night (and day) at the Britons Protection and it feels like home! It’s like cheers… Where Everybody Knows Your Name (I’m not sure that’s a good thing ;)) The only thing I’d say to the new owners is the toilets need some serious TLC!

All the whisky you could wish for.
The is a old stye pub with a a pumb room and two other rooms at the back round the bar. In winter there a real fires in each room. The ales are good and I have never seen so many whiskys, they have a menu!
The Land Lady doesn’t like swearing and the staff are always helpful. There is a book crossing here where you can drop off your old books and pick up a new one with a small donation to help for heroes.
This is one of my bolt holes for when the winter markets get too cold.

Surely one of the best pubs in Manchester city centre, in fact it’s won plenty of awards to that effect over the years, if you’re a fan of the classic British pub then Briton’s Protection is almost certainly near the top of your list of favourite pubs, if you’ve not been before then what are you doing reading this? GO DRINK THERE!
Briton’s hasn’t changed too much in the dozen or so years I’ve been drinking here, the main exception to this is the addition of a large outdoor seating area out the back — much needed because the narrow front bar and 2 back rooms fill up quickly, especially from about 4pm on a Friday afternoon.
Briton’s serves pretty standard bar options, a few lagers, Guinness, a couple of cask ales, usually a decent quality cider and mediocre house wines, sadly not much in the way of local small brewers, Whisky lovers will be more than happy with the options however, it seems the entire wall behind the bar is covered in them, dozens of bourbons too.
It sounds mental to be saying this, but the booze on offer is almost secondary to the pub itself, the atmosphere and décor of Briton’s Protection is what makes it so appealing. If you are lucky enough to be able to pick your seat, I’d recommend one of the back rooms, the dark of the wood and crimson walls are most welcoming and conducive to great chat with friends or strangers, often in winter there’s a fire roaring away too — dreamy.
Be aware that this isn’t a pub to be rowdy in, the landlady won’t stand for any swearing, so keep your manners people! We have been reprimanded in the past and it’s a little embarrassing, I blame my mate!
If the weather is good then get yourself out back to get some air in the walled beer garden, there’s no views and the hum (roar) of traffic means you’ve got to speak up, but it’s still pleasant enough.

With an impressive whiskey list I was surprised they also had great beers. The music draws you in and the cozy fire places entice you to stay. This is near Bridgwater Hall and has become one of my favorites. I am not the only one. This place does good business and if you ask around for the best bar in the area — you’ll likely hear its name from several different people.

By now most Mancs know that the BP is an institution. A jewel of a pub next to Deansgate tram stop, the Bridgewater Hall, The Midlands and Manchester Central.
Inside it’s warm and cosy, old red-​themed fabric against dark wooden tables and stools, golden lighting, fireplaces, small rooms, beer garden… it’s got it all.
Of note is a wide range of malts from all over the world. My only down point: only 2, generally pretty characterless cask ales. Now that we finally have a striving beer industry it’s be great to see more and better ales at the Briton’s

I’d convinced myself I’d never been to The Briton’s Protection before, but on visiting here with a mate for a cheeky after work bevvy (which turned into a mini ‘bar crawl’, see reviews of Rain Bar
and Peveril Of The Peak
), I was reminded that I’d darkened their door at least once before…
On first sight you’d think there was hardly anywhere to sit and enjoy your well-​earned beer, as the bar stretches from wall to wall. Follow the corridor to the left of the bar and you’ll see several off-​shoot rooms to find a cushioned bench or bar stool. Given it’s December we headed straight to the room with the roaring fire and got a great seat in front of the flames.
I loved it here. My mate loved it here. And we would have stayed but the fact we wanted to sample more than one establishment that evening. Really enjoyed the beer here as well — the bar manager made a recommendation (alas I’ve forgotten its name, the beer, not the bar guy, but it was very good indeed).
Tip: If you love your whiskies, you won’t be disappointed here either, they have a sizeable selection.

Funnily enough I had just slightly wistfully peeked in here earlier the day I ended up visiting. The Briton’s Protection is a classic pub with a very wide whisky collection and Strongbow on tap, which perhaps it’s bad form for me to have enjoyed so much. No ginger wine so no whisky mac… bit weird. Friendly atmosphere and beautiful old décor.

Well its got a great interior several rooms around a central bar with good selection of real ales.

Other feedback I have
seen on this attractive pub tells me that there a few different rooms here, all
worth a look. Shows how lazy I was. I was very happy with the main bar and couldn’t be
bothered to wander around. Especially as those in front of and behind the bar
seemed a friendly lot.
Had a pint of Ostara. Ostara is the Queen of fertility and spring, so as you
would expect the beer was lively and lovely. There were a few other interesting
looking brews too.

A traditional English pub, this is a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon, especially if you have a liking for whiskey!
I visited yesterday with family & the pub now has over 300 different whiskeys to try from all over the world.
The majority currently range in price from £3.80 to £4.90, with some really special offerings up to £30.00. So there should be something to suit most people’s budget.
Whether you’re a whiskey aficionado, or somebody interested to sample the surprising /​amazing differences between each glass, I can highly recommend this relaxing pub.