Live Music — Pubs in Bolton

Originally only in the right hand building, the pub was extended into next door, creating a split level interior. There are some interesting decorative features; the old cast-iron range and even a tricycle hanging from one of the walls. This pub has the feel of a local alongside regular weekend gigs and music festivals, popular with rock and metal fans and can be noisy!!! Note the 'Street Graffiti' in both the ladies and gents toilets-see photos. There is outdoor seating at the rear.

Swan & Barristers Bar

7, Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1EL

Beer Festivals

A prominent pub at the heart of the town centre nightlife is a Grade II listed building dating from 1845. There are two distinct bars with shared cellar and bar staff. On the corner is the Swan which is open from 12 noon-7pm Monday to Thursday and 12 noon until late which may be 6am on Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays 12 noon until 9pm. On weekend evenings it becomes a nightclub with DJ and dancefloor. At other times it is a quieter and spacious bar with TV showing racing or news, often without sound. Barristers is open the longer hours shown. It has a wood-paneled interior and is tastefully decorated to successfully recreate the traditional relaxed atmosphere of a local. There is a small TV near the bar and a larger screen around the corner. Both usually show news or sports news without sound. In the evenings, especially at weekends, the atmosphere is livelier, boosted by karaoke nights. With a mix of different atmospheres, the bars provide a welcoming and popular venue for all those who enjoy enjoy quality well-kept real ale in the town centre. It was awarded Bolton Branch Community Pub of the Year in 2019, recognising the way it actively welcomes all visitors and drinkers in the Bolton community with student nights and LGBT+ nights during the week and local music promoted at weekends. The range of cask beers varies, sometimes with more beers at weekends. Those available are usually listed on their Facebook, twitter or instagram pages. Both bars share the same cellar. There are up to 8 beers on handpump in Barristers. The Swan has a four handpumps serving a selection of the ones available in Barristers. Beers usually comprise ones from local breweries such as Bank Top, Blackedge and Moorhouses supplemented by interesting beers from further afield such as Fyne, Coniston and St Austell. There is usually at least one dark beer. A heated courtyard with tables is used as a smoking area and through which the shared toilets are accessed. Disabled toilet facilities are available. See website for details of listing - https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1387974

Beaumont

Armadale Road, Ladybridge, Bolton BL3 4XB

Cask Marque Accredited

One Cask beer is usually available in this recently refurbished estate pub, Note the mural of nineteen famous 'Boltonians' depicted on the wall near the pool table- how many can you name? Best accessed from A676 Wigan Road to avoid lengthy 20 mph ring road which goes round this sprawling estate where the pub is located.

Bob's Smithy

1448 Chorley Old Road, Heaton, Bolton BL1 7PX

Real Fire

An intimate stone-built hostelry on the edge of the moors with panoramic views. Now has its own restaurant, it's handy for walkers and visitors to University of Bolton Stadium. The inn is some 200 years old and is named after a local blacksmith who allegedly spent more time in the pub than he did in his smithy across the road. This is a genuine free house which offers guest beers from small independent breweries. Dogs are welcome, there is a covered smoking area at the side of the pub.

Bolton Castle

520 Tonge Moor Road, Bolton BL2 3BQ

Large community pub on major road junction with lounge, snug and vault.

Doffcocker Inn

780 Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QE

Disabled Access

Large community pub, with a central bar splits the drinking area in two. The main front doors take you into the spacious and lively bar area in which there is dart board and TV. The rear can be accessed from here or via a side door from the car park. This has a comfortable and quieter lounge with separate bar access. Regular Holt's beers are supplemented by one occasional guest often from Bootleg which is owned by Holt's. Unusually a 'calendar' pub, with windows with 365 panes of glass, 52 Doors, 28 rooms (days in a 4 week month), 12 rooms in the cellar, 7 bedrooms, 4 floors for full weeks in a month or perhaps each season.

Dragonfly

60-62 Bradshawgate, Nelson Square, Bolton BL1 1DP

CAMRA Discount

Large landmark pub in the heart of the nightlife area of Bolton situated on Nelson Square/Bradshawgate corner near the Samuel Crompton Statue, War Memorial and the now closed subterranean Victorian Toilets. Various refurbishments have stripped out most of the buildings internal charm leaving it as a large open plan floor space with many different seating areas on different levels. There is a Disco floor with DJ area and suspended flashing lights. By day the pub serves a menu of pub grub with discounts for Students! Whilst at weekend evenings it acts as a popular base for younger drinkers. There are a many TVs showing major sporting events during which time it can get very busy. The pub includes the only Table Tennis table in town, as well as Pool and Darts. The main area surrounding the long linear bar is painted matt black and has the Disabled Toilets at the far end. Students 20% discount

Finishers Arms

487 Church Road, Bolton BL1 5RE

Real Fire

Beautifully refurbished in 2015. The serving area was moved to the back wall which has opened out the main bar area. A central raised table provides a focal point for locals to meet and chat. Two rooms have been retained off the side of the bar and these provide a quieter atmosphere. Some traditional features such as the wooden beams are still visible. A range of well kept local beers are served often including the popular and award-winning Bank Top and Blackedge breweries. The pub has a history of supernatural events. A real cider often replaces one of the cask beers in the summer months. A comfortable beer garden is hidden at the back. Grade II listed building http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-475963-the-finishers-arms-number-487-and-number and http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1387968

Greyhound

146 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BB

Traditional Pub Games

Jukebox

Small community pub with a friendly welcome. Look out for the kicking donkeys above the bar, not to mention the large greyhound mural on the end of the building. Actual beers available on the bar are often on their Facebook page and usually consist of at least one light and one dark beer and may be from breweries covering a wide area in the north west.

Hen & Chickens

143 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1EX

CAMRA Discount

The Hen and Chickens has long been one of the most pleasant and popular of town centre pubs. The smart exterior and colourful floral displays brighten up this end of Deansgate. Inside there is a central horseshoe bar serving both sides of the pub. Although now open plan, the entrance doors lead on the left to the smaller vault with a comfortable raised seating area while the right hand door leads to the lounge where food is available. The cask ales are only partly tied to Punch Taverns list so you can expect some of the beers to be from a range of mainly small breweries. Usually a choice of beer styles are available. Winner of Spring Pub of the Season award 2018.

Mosley Arms

117 Red Lane, Breightmet, Bolton BL2 5HP

Opens at 10am for Breakfasts Mon-Sat. Large comfortable vault with two pool tables, two dart boards, dominoes and cards. The large function room can accommodate up to 120 people with weddings, christenings and other occasions catered for. The lounge has many tables all with silk flowers! There is a heated covered smoking shelter to the rear of the pub. Large car park at the front. Very much a locals pub, but well worth the effort to find. Large Horse Chestnut tree at the front of the pub. Note: there is a small 'blue plaque' at the front of the pub from Northern Music Heritage stating that the Bolton based five piece punk, ska, reggae, indie, electronica and rock band was formed on the premises- they are well known throughout the North West and further afield and still going strong. See photo.

Old Three Crowns

14 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BR

Parking

A long established town centre pub with an impressive frontage including the main and recently repaired stained glass plus the etched windows either side. It is much larger than it appears from the outside with a narrow but comfortable lounge leading to a conservatory area and out to a beer garden and smoking area. The pub has a community feel and the pool table attracts a regular trade.

Olde Man & Scythe

6-8 Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1HL

The pub is reputedly the 4th oldest in the country and sits near the Parish Church on the historic Churchgate, site of a famous Civil War execution . Long referred to as the Cider 'Ouse, though none of the ones available now meet Camra's revised definition to be classed as real cider. The pub retains some traditional features such as wooden beams, leaded windows and stone floors, though there have been modifications to the layout in recent times. Nevertheless, the pub does retain a cosy snug and a separate room, often used for jamming and open mic nights. On weekend evenings there is usually a local band playing and the pub can be very busy. On the back wall is a painted mural of the much-missed former landlord John Jewitt. Outside is a small enclosed yard which doubles up as a smoking area. Beers are from the more adventurous side of the Enterprise Inns list supplemented by the ever-popular local brewery Bank Top. Grade II listed building see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1387975

Red Lion

1-3 Salford Road, Over Hulton, Bolton BL5 1BJ

Large Hungry Horse outlet with Wacky Warehouse attached at the rear of the pub. Situated at the junction of the A6/A579 and half way between Junctions 4 and 5 of M61 which runs along the back of the pub. A very large open plan interior (with a newly constructed doorway added at the bar with part of the pub cordoned off for over 18's only) incorporating the original pub which was rebuilt in 1905 and then extended into the quaint stone cottages at the side of the pub which are used mainly for the restaurant. The Wacky Warehouse (play area for the little ones - a charge is made to use this facility!) opens 9.30am-7pm Mon-Thu; 9.30am-8pm Fri; 9am-8pm Sat and 9am-7pm Sun: Drinks may be taken in here from the bar in plastic glasses! Outdoor seating areas are at the front of the pub and at the rear next to the Wacky! The car park is accessed from the A6.

Elephant & Castle

4-10 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BR

Cask Marque Accredited

The Elephant and Castle is a large town centre pub in the heart of Bolton's main nightlife area. Weekend evenings can be very busy when the pub acts a meeting point for revellers while DJs play tunes old and new. The host of large TV screens are also a magnet for football fans during big games. The pub supports an interesting selection of cask ales which make it worth a visit. There are 5 handpumps, with two Bank Top beers as well as Moorhouses Blond or White Witch. There are food theme nights and special offers during the week. Outdoor seating at the front of the pub is popular. Popworld has a separate entrance for the upstairs nightclub which has no real ale.

Star & Garter

11 Bow Street, Bolton BL1 2EQ

The process of refurbishment has at last been completed (Aug 2019), however cask beer is not currently available, though the handpump remains on the bar. It was expected that the closed Epicurus Brewery in Denton was going to relocate here during 2018, it has physically moved in, but it becoming operational seems some way off. The refurbishment has been in good taste and has made the pub a lot lighter and airier. There is a small beer garden which also serves as the smoking area.

Tansy Green

Brodick Drive, Breightmet, Bolton BL2 6UF

No Cask beer available now, though the three handpumps rem,ain on the bar

Tempest Arms

1110 Chorley Old Road, Heaton, Bolton BL1 5SE

A true community pub with a pool team, mens and ladies darts, and a football team.

Three Pigeons

820 Wigan Road, Bolton BL3 4RD

A Large Pub on the outskirts near the end of the ring road, which offers food and sports TV Quiz night from 9pm Tuesday and DJ Live on last Saturday of the month.

Victoria

26 Markland Hill, Bolton BL1 5AG

Restaurant-style pub during the day and evening. There are areas for those that want only a drink. Being in an area otherwise poorly served by pubs, it does attract locals who enjoy the well-kept beers including one from local award-winners Bank Top. Note after 6pm Fridays and Saturdays over 21's only and Dress Code applies.

Volunteer

276-278 Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever, Bolton BL3 1RS

Lively community pub with a friendly welcome

Wilton Arms

883-885 Belmont Road, Belmont, Bolton BL1 7BT

Stone built moorland pub on the outskirts of town on the busy A675. Very much geared up for dining. The smaller car park next to the pub is maintained by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) for access to the quarry at the rear of the pub which contains hazardous cliff faces with loose rocks!

Yates

36 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1DG

Function Room

Large Town centre pub that no longer sells real ale. The large curved bar though is a leftover from the days when this was Yates's Wine Lodge and customers would form an orderly queue at the bar to be served in order and then leave the bar with their drinks. The upstairs drinking area has its own bar, two pool tables, with great views over looking the busy road at the front of the pub. Also upstairs is a large outside drinking/smoking area with tables/seats, this closes 30 minutes before closing time. Closing times Wed to Sat are those expected but are 'late' Grade II listed building http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-475937-yates-wine-lodge- and http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1387943

York

114 Newport Street, Bolton BL3 6AB

Traditional Pub Games

Handy for Bolton railway station as it is directly across the road. During midweek usually only one cask beer on one of the two handpumps.

Balmoral

94 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1QQ

Traditional Pub Games

Converted to a Craft Union branded pub in 2019, this resulted in the pub being opened out with the central bar being moved. Much of the original coving remains (see photos) and the upstairs function room is awaiting a makeover. There are several screens showing sport throughout the opening hours. A DJ plays music Fri & Sat evenings and a Karaoke entertains on Wed & Sun evenings. Occasional live entertainment at weekends. Dog friendly.

51 Fifty Moonshine Bar & Grill

28 Nelson Square, Bolton BL1 1JT

Close to Bus Routes

The UK's only Moonshine and Moonshine Cocktail bar and grill

Bowling Green

271 Bury Road,, Bolton BL2 6AX

Reopened after refurbishment, with new bar.

Churchgate

11-13 Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1HU

Extensively refurbished in 2017, it now has a contemporary style with wooden bar and flooring, white walls and some exposed beams. There is a plaque on the wall describing the pub's history and various name changes since 1772. The pub is now split into two open areas linked by a disorientating sloped floor. The lively bar leads to a rear seating area with doors opening to a comfortable and partially covered beer garden and smoking area. There are numerous TVs and a large screen at the back, making it an ideal place to watch sports events. The bar itself is now on the side wall and has four handpumps The pub has joined the trend for hosting an extensive gin selection and this is sure to help cement the venue as one which will attract a boisterous and lively crowd at weekends and provide a welcome addition to the town's nightlife.

Cotton Tree

15 Prince Street, Bolton BL1 2NP

No Cask Beer available in this archetypal estate-style pub on the edge of town. The atmosphere is friendly and lively. At weekends there is usually entertainment in the comfortable lounge area. At the rear is a large function room.

Henighans Bury Road

1043 Bury Road, Bolton BL2 6PY

Lively sport and entertainment driven pub offering food. Some gigs may require tickets in advance or buy at the door, others are free entry - check website.

Lever Bridge Inn

206/210 Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever, Bolton BL2 1PF

Large open plan pub dominated by old Bury to Bolton Railway Bridge in background above - which has recently opened as the Bolton East Cycle and Path Way- which starts at Scholey Street off Manchester Road (Bolton Central Police Station) and will eventually end up in Bury.

Morris Dancers

14 Sapling Road, Morris Green, Bolton BL3 3QL

The Dancers was built in the 1950's as the first pub in Morris Green by Magee Marshalls-it was to be their last one before being taken over by Greenall Whitley of Warrington. Three handpumps adorn each of the two bars. The 'tap room' has a pool table and dart board with cards and dominoes also featuring as well a live TV sport. The pub has not one but three football teams! The lounge doubles up as a function room and is well appointed with a large kitchen range (unfortunately not the real thing!) and a raised seating area. Quiz nights on Monday and live entertainment most Saturdays. Outside are a few tables and benches for smokers with extra table/benches placed on the car park to increase outside seating accomodation,and are well used in the summer. Morris Green Park is across the road and completes the small village of Morris Green. Please note that those using the Pub Car Park need to validate your full and correct vehicle registration mark on the 'tablet' situated in the entrance hall of the pub.

Pineapple

562 Blackburn Road, Bolton BL1 7AL

Large Pub at busy crossroads, that looks nothing like their Facebook photo!

Queen Anne

25 Junction Road, Bolton BL3 4LT

Situated in the Deane Conservation Area and across the road from St. Mary the Virgin-Parish Church of Deane, whose bells can clearly be heard several times a week!. Access to the pub can also be made from Wigan Road via its car park. A large open plan pub with sizeable extension which can be used as a function room when the folding doors are closed, there are many seating areas dotted around the perimeter of the large room. Now has two handpumps serving a Robinson's beer and one other from a brewery further afield. A large outdoor seating area is adjacent to the car park

theBar

Provincial House, Nelson Square, Bolton BL1 1JT

WiFi

No Cask Beer Available now.

Roc

43/45 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1DR

Close to Bus Routes

No Cask Beer Available

Vulcan Inn

10/12 Junction Road, Deane, Bolton BL3 4LT

Real Fire

Sorry no Cask beer available. Fine traditional well run local in the Deane Conservation Area. The large room to the left doubles up as a well used function room for parties, Christenings and the like. There is a pool table in the rear part of the bar as well as an original turnstile from Burnden Park the former home of Bolton Wanderers (the landlord is a big Bolton Fan!). The landlord has even bought a bouncy castle available to hire for children's parties in the spacious rear outdoor area/yard which includes a large covered smoking shelter. Note the unique acid etched windows at the side of the pub inscribed with the name of the pub and its former Brewery Owners at the 'Diamond Brewery' (Tongs) which was situated a few hundred metres (yards in old money!) down the road towards town.

Withins

Breightmet Fold Lane, Breightmet, Bolton BL2 6PP

No Cask Beer Available. Recently refurbished pub done to a spartan standard.

Hogarths

37-41, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1HU

Disabled Access

A large and lively town centre pub in the centre of historic Churchgate by the Parish Church. It was refurbished in the early part of 2019 and a staircase added to a mezzanine VIP room was added. Named after the 18th century painter and satirist William Hogarth and themed, without any association with the man himself, as a Victorian gin palace. Gin fans will be blown away with the choice on offer. Guest beers seem to be restricted now to ones from the Marstons range, so far removed from when the onsite brewery was here. The historic theme of the pub is somewhat dominated by the vast number of TVs which are difficult to escape from.

Roundhouse

Kenton Close, off Tennyson Street, Bolton BL1 3TZ

Parking

Function Room

No Cask Beer available. Large Pub tucked away. Very large function room in this ex club.

Breightmet Conservative Club

684, Bury Road, Bolton, Bolton BL2 6JD

Members only and their visitors, one changing guest beer is available. Comfortable club with two snooker tables and outdoor seating at the front.

Heaton Cricket Club

Lower Pools, Church Road, Bolton, Bolton BL1 5RH

The Club house is at an elevated level loooking out over the cricket field in 2016 the Club is being sponsored by Bank Top Brewery. Wells Bombardier and Butcombe Bitter have been noted as the changing beers but often it is Wainwrights. Club members receive 30p a pint discount. The club also houses the Moss Bank Juniors football teams who play on pitches adjacent to the cricket ground. Only open to club members at the moment.

Ellesmere Road Recreation Club

24, Ellesmere Road, Morris Green, Bolton BL3 3JT

Camra Member with Card Free entry for first trial visit, otherwise be signed in as a guest for £1 or become a member, guest beers often shown on Facebook page with photo. Finalist in Branch 2019 Club of the year.

Bolton Irish Centre

95, Lever Street, Bolton BL3 2AB

Function Room

Membership available at £10 per annum

Stanley Arms

99, Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 3AS

Restaurant Area

Live entertainment, Cocktails, Neopolitan Pizzas and Crisp Beer but no real ale!!

Great Ale at the Vaults

Vaults Below Market Place, Bolton BL1 2AL

CAMRA Discount

Situated in the centre of the redeveloped vaults below the old Market Hall, this atmospheric bar is accessed via either of the two escalators, the lift or the new entrance with steps from Bridge Street opposite Argos. The overall appearance of the bar is well in keeping with the Victorian Cellar in which it is housed. The bar has four handpumps serving three guest beers and one specially brewed ale for the Vaults by Deeply Vales. Keg fonts dispense a range of modern keg beers and ciders. One real cider from Thistly Cross is usually available. A wide range of bottled beers is kept in glass fronted refrigerators. Paddles of three 1/3rds of cask ale are available. Great Ale opens all year round except on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. May close earlier in the evening when quiet! The wider vaults development includes several well known chain eateries. The upper floors of the Market Hall house shops and a nine screen cinema.

Venue Bar & Motown Soul Cafe

14 Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1HL