The Griffin Hotel

The Griffin Hotel
552, Didsbury Rd
Heaton Mersey
Stockport
Cheshire
SK4 3AJ
Tel: 0161 443 2077

The Griffin used to be a more frequent watering hole, so today’s outing was almost nostalgic. For those not acquainted with the Griffin, it is a rather characterful and traditional pub in Heaton Mersey, on the outskirts of Stockport and South Manchester. It enjoys widespread fame for its extremely cheap beer and satisfying pub food. In particular the legendary Griffin Grill.

I can remember, not so many years ago when a pint of Holt’s bitter was less than £1 a pint. Sadly, inflation has now taken its toll and we were charged £1.24! I’d like to know if anywhere else manages to sell beer that cheaply.

In my opinion the pub lost some of its traditional character with the addition of a large lounge extension, which is in complete contrast to the existing structure which consists of a labyrinth of small rooms with seats and tables.

Anyway, the beer is very good. I would describe the Holt’s beer as having its own distinct flavour, which is easily acquired after a couple of sips. I have a definite liking for it even though I have some inability to actually describe it.

The food is traditional pub grub and the Griffin is definitely not a temple for healthy eating. It has a menu of Mixed Grill, Griffin Grill (more like a breakfast), Liver and Onions, Fish and Chips, Barm Cakes with bacon, sausage, egg all designed to be filling rather than health giving!

Sandro and I opted for the Griffin Grill (actually I had decided on the Mixed Grill but they hadn’t got some of the contents). So we ate and enjoyed a hearty lunch of a couple of pints of excellent Holt’s bitter, followed by a plate of sausage, bacon, egg, black pudding, grilled tomato, baked beans and chips.

They also offer reduced price meals for pensioners, which was well taken up by the locals. The entertainment was provided by a couple of local characters going around the pub trying to sell sausages, meat, cakes and other strange items from plastic crates. Obviously traders with surplus stock.

Grand.

Phil.
January 2002.