The Railway, West Didsbury — Restaurant in Manchester

Nice pub, decent selection, didn't eat anything but i had an experience here thats put me off going back.

Went in for the pub quiz. I rang up earlier to check it was on and the guy on the phone told be I'd best get there an hour or so before to guarantee a table. Fair enough, no worries, must get busy, typical for a decent pub quiz.

So I showed up an hour before, wasn't too busy yet so I got a pint a found a decent small (4 person tops) table whilst I waited for my mates to arrive who were about 5mins behind me. After a couple of mins one of the barmaids came over with two people who i think had just walked in and told me I had to move because there was four of them (there was only 2 of them there) and my group was only 3. There was no reservation or anything, the barmaid explained that they get busy and have to make the most of the space. To clarify the pub was not that busy yet and there were definitely other seats available in the pub. I didnt really want to get into any sort of confrontation so I agreed to move although I think the people who my table was being given to could tell that it didnt sit right and they were even apologetic. So the barmaid moved me to another table. One of those small round ones with stools around it (only 2 stools, she kindly pulled up some kind of school chair for our 3rd person). Right next to the fruit machine and conveniently just out of sight if where the quiz host is stood. So I went from showing up an hour early, spending my money and bagging a decent table to what was probably the worst table in the pub. I could tell she was seating people as the pub did fill up a bit more and can appreciate that maybe a bit of people managment is required. However making us move table an hour ahead of the quiz for the sake of squeezing an extra person in who wasn't even in the pub yet has definitely rubbed me the wrong way and if there was a set of unwritten rules about pub etiquette, I feel like this has broken them ha.

Anyways, rant over, not sure if i'll go back but if I do I'll only be showing up 5 mins before the quiz in full expectation that some other poor sod is moved table to...

Used to go in here for the quiz. Used to be good quiz but very amateurish now.

Toilets are disgusting. Sort it out it’s not 1990 but your cleaner hasn’t been since 90s. They need replacing but at least clean them, same coke bag and broken fittings for weeks. It’s basic hygiene Mr Holts.

Can’t keep the beer good any more & they turn the heating off when it’s cold and blame the boiler. The fridges are now stocked with empty glasses to mask the taste of dodgy beer. There’s ice on the inside of the windows and staff look like they want to cry.

Now run like a tired social club under the new management. It’s the most expensive Holts’ pub with the worst standards. Needs a refurb and more experienced management. Karaoke, meat raffles, knock off tobaco and jaeger bombs isn’t in...

Visited during the pandemic. This pub has never had table service but the staff embrace it. They are everything you want from a bartender but now also they are extra attentive, I have been in a number of times since the new restrictions began and apart from ensuring all safety regulations are adhered to they often approach before your drink is finished to check if you would like another. They have done their utmost to give you the same experience as you would always get and that is a rarity. I don't like waiting (who does) but they have almost eliminated it. In these uncertain times all I can say is that the staff here are a prized asset and I hope they are treated and...