Ford Madox Brown, Rusholme

Opened in the early 2000s, it was built on part of the site of Manchester Garages (car dealership), which prior to that was rumoured to have been the site of old Rusholme Hall. This Wetherspoon’s pub is handy for the University, Curry Mile, MRI Hospital and Whitworth Art Gallery. Named after the eminent Victorian Pre-Raphaelite painter whose works hang in Manchester Town Hall and the City Art Gallery (he lived nearby in Victoria Park). Although a modern open-plan pub it has a warmer feeling than you might expect and they go out of their way to build on this with charity and community events - including trips to breweries for regulars and locals. As you may expect from its location, it attracts a fair proportion of student clientele, but that is by normally balanced by older regulars. There is always a buzz to the place. Note too that it is open at 8am for breakfast.