50 Great Bridgewater Street
Manchester
M1 5LE
0161 236 5895

Traditional Town Pub, 3* Heritage Pub

Star Pubs & Bars (part of Heineken) have retaken the lease from the long term leaseholders and its not clear yet what they plan to do with the pub. There are fears that the Britons Protection is at risk of redevelopment and a glance at photo 4 showing the old pub surrounded by tower blocks makes it clear that it is a prime spot for developers.

For now though, all seems well. The pub still has its large selection of cask beers, though probably with a larger selection of ales from large national breweries. It also has its collection of over 300 whiskies, making it one of the top whisky pubs outside Scotland. And for now the Britons Protection is still one of Manchester’s least spoilt heritage pubs. In September 2025 it was featured in the Telegraph’s top 500 pubs in Britain, chosen by beer writer Will Hawkes.

The pub was built in 1811 and its modest exterior doesn’t prepare you for the superb original features inside which date from a refit in 1930. The public bar, first right as you go in, has the original wooden bar counter, moulded ceiling and wall tiles.

The corridor which leads round behind the bar has a moulded ceiling, terrazzo floor, tiled walls and leaded glass windows. A hatch half way round serves the two rooms at the back. Both these rooms have original fixed upholstered seating, that on the left in maroon and the room on the right in green with matching green and gold wallpaper.

The pub is opposite Bridgewater Hall and it’s used by concert goers, and apparently, Halle Orchestra members, before and after events. I’m not sure if Liam Gallagher has ever played the Bridgewater but the video for his 1922 single Too Good For Giving Up features the interior of the Britons Protection in its final minute.

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