Nico Ditch, Ashton-under-Lyne

This Bar was opened by Tom Hughes and Dean Brocklehurst in what used to be Holloways Leather Goods shop. Two changing guest beers, one is always a session pale ale or bitter, are complemented by eight craft keg beers including local, national and continental beers plus a cider. A well-stocked fridge has bottles of Belgium and German beers plus real ciders and Perry.

The smart tiled bar, with wooden top, faces the entrance on Old Street. Surprisingly spacious wooden-floored rooms stretch back to the Bow Street entrance. There is additional seating upstairs, which is also available for functions (seats 35). Outside seating is available at both entrances plus an inner courtyard.

The bar is named after the mysterious Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Nico Ditch, a six mile long linear earthworks between Ashton and Manchester, which was dug between the 5th and 11th centuries. The bar is five minutes walk from Ashton train, tram and bus stations.

NOTE: the owners also own the Talleyrand bar in Levenshulme, and the Nico Ditch earthworks are visible from Levenshulme.