Hop and Hazlewood

When it comes to places to drink in the North, it’s always worth exploring a little outside the usual city-centre locations. Hop and Hazlewood is a perfect example. This craft beer and gin bar is based in the heart of Tyldesley, a short trip out of Manchester, and has been quietly kicking up a storm these past few years.

If you’re looking for the kind of pub where the likes of Peter Kaye cut his teeth, pop in for a beer or three

It’s a great-looking space, all wood-panelling, with a wide selection of drinks, and most importantly when it comes to going out for a drink, it’s full of friendly welcoming people, from the regulars to the staff.

Most excitingly, the venue hosts regular live music nights, showcasing some of the best acts from across the North-West. Recent events have featured Hanky Pancake and Stompin’ Thompson, who teamed up to provide a stellar night of blues and country earlier this year.

Liverpool’s Stompin Thompson is a one-man swamp blues act, respected across the region for his gnarly take on old-school roots music, while 21st-century cowboy Hanky Pancake delivered a roof-raising set of country classics that saw the entire room up dancing and singing.

Then there are the wildly popular weekly jam nights, held every Wednesday, featuring a huge range of talented musicians playing material from across the whole spectrum of music, old and new.

Hop and Hazlewood also put on the occasional packed-out live comedy night, with recent appearances from Phoenix Nights legends Smug Roberts and Archie Kelly, plus some colourful local characters doing the kind of material that’d make Roy Chubby Brown blush.

But even if you don’t make it down to a comedy night, you’re pretty much guaranteed a laugh of some kind. This is prime Lancashire territory after all, and while Tyldesley has seen a big influx of people relocating from South Manchester, the friendly locals make it their business to welcome everyone with a few belly laughs. If you’re looking for the kind of pub where the likes of Peter Kaye cut his teeth, pop in for a beer or three.