A rock pub with a student clientele, this venue has returned to its roots.

The Venue
The Mannville Arms was an alternative rock pub in the 1970s, before turning into Scruffy Murphy’s and then The Head. Now, under new management it’s reverted to its original name and gone back to its rock roots.

Right opposite the pub there's a popular stone terrace, and the facade is scarlet and covered with hanging flower baskets. Inside it has black floorboards, white walls and lots of tables and chairs, plus a nest of fruit machines.

There’s a gothic-style sunken area to the left featuring a large fireplace with big, rounded wooden pillars down the sides and a mantelpiece on top with a heavy round mirror.

There’s a black and gold panel with studs in it, plus exposed brickwork and a little nook at the top of the wall with metal grate over it and a vase inside. There are also elegant Chesterfield wing armchairs to sit on.

Monday and Sunday is open mic, Thursday is goth night, Friday is rock, metal and punk night and Saturday is ska, indie and live music, featuring at least two or three bands.

The People
As it sits near Bradford College, the Mannville Arms naturally attracts a big student following, but the music nights are wide-reaching and pull in punters from across the board. With a mix of metal, rock and punk the crowd has its fair share of goth rockers, musos and the alternative set.

The Food and Drink
On tap you’ve got Theakston’s XB, Kronenbourg, Guinness, San Miguel, John Smiths and Stowells. In bottles meanwhile there’s Budweiser, Bulmers, Beck’s, Courage Light Ale, Old Peculiar and Newcastle Brown.

It’s £2.85 for a small glass of wine and £4.85 for a large one. They’ve got a Jagermeister machine and a Jagerbomb is £2.50. The kitchen is being sorted out and it looks like they’ll be going for high quality grub while keeping the prices student-friendly.

The Last Word
An excellent refit which has restored the pub to its former glory.

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