The Angel pub on Angel Street in Manchester is celebrating its 175th anniversary this weekend, marking nearly two centuries of serving the community. Originally opened in 1851 as The Weaver's Arms, the pub predates horse-drawn trams and the Hallé orchestra by just a few years. It sits by Angel Meadows, which was once a burial ground for up to 40,000 paupers during the Industrial Revolution. German philosopher Friedrich Engels described the area as 'hell upon Earth' just seven years before the pub opened.
From Weaver's Arms to Real Ale Haven
The pub thrived during Manchester's 'Cottonopolis' boom, which saw 103 cotton mills in 1853. It later became known as The Beer House, a 'real ale geeks' paradise' in the 1980s and 1990s. After closing in 2005 under Tetley's Brewery, it reopened as The Angel. Landlord Ciaran Keaney, who has run the pub for 20 years, recalls it was in a 'very sorry state' when he took over, needing a new roof and major renovations. 'It's perhaps not the most glamorous of pubs in Manchester, but it's certainly watertight now,' he said.
National Recognition and Community Spirit
In November, The Telegraph named The Angel among the 500 best pubs in England, praising its traditional feel. Keaney called the recognition 'a massive tribute to everything we strive to achieve.' The pub is a member of the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW) and has won CAMRA awards.
Weekend Celebrations
To mark its 175th anniversary, the pub is hosting three days of festivities, including poetry readings by Tom Branfoot, a speech from Cllr Jon-Connor Lyons, and live music from a three-piece acoustic band, Tom Kitching, and Jennifer Reid. Keaney noted that live music is rare for the pub, which usually focuses on a quiet atmosphere with a Monday quiz and no TVs. The celebrations also launch a new SLUM IPA, a 'pint of protest' acknowledging the area's slum history. The beer is already on its second batch.
Surviving Through Change
Keaney attributes the pub's longevity to its community role. 'It's a fundamentally British pub. It has always been about doing a great service for the community,' he said. 'Being able to celebrate 175 years is an incredible landmark for any pub. It's phenomenal that we are still here to recognise it.' The pub, located at 6 Angel Street, Manchester M4 4BQ, now sits amid high-rise apartments and offices, a stark contrast to the derelict land that surrounded it a decade ago.
