Rochdale as a Town Centre has massively improved in recent years. The town’s river has been opened up in the last ten years, and there is a great deal of work taking place outside of the town hall to really transform the town. It might not be brilliant for shopping but in terms of pubs, we have some brilliant ones and its well worth a visit these days. The pubs are great to visit and stay in or if you fancy doing something of a crawl, there’s loads to choose from.
Cask and Feather
The Cask and Feather will be one of the first pubs that you will come across coming from the train station towards the Town Centre.
It had a brief moment of fame during the 2022-23 season when they ran a Jägerbomb scoreboard for away supporters (story c/o Daily Star). Whispers locally suggested that the Police were none too pleased with this and forced them to stop.
Regal Moon
Every town has a Wetherspoons and we are no exception in Rochdale, with the Regal Moon being ours. The building used to be a cinema up until the 1980’s, and there are a few bits around the pub that relate to its former incarnation as well as celebrating local celebrities including B.Oddie. There’s artwork inside that celebrates the 10CC song “From Rochdale to Ocho Rios”.
As ‘Spoons go, this one is probably a record breaker by having the gents’ toilets right in the middle of the pub and not a 30 min walk away. More details can be found at https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pub-histories/england/lancashire/the-regal-moon-rochdale.
Hogarths
Hogarths opened in the Summer of 2021 and is next door to the Regal Moon. It’s a lovely looking building and you can tell once inside that it used to be a bank. Don’t think I’ve ever been in where its been quiet. It’s always busy and you can’t get a better testimonial than that.
It’s brilliant value for money which should always be celebrated these days. More details can be found at https://hogarthsbars.co.uk/rochdale/
Flying Horse
The Flying Horse, or the Flyer as it is known as locally, has a very simple plan. Great food, great beer, great pub. It’s a plan that works as it’s been voted the best pub in Greater Manchester twice by the good people of Camra. There’s always a really friendly atmosphere inside.
Situated in the shadow of the town hall, there’s been a lot of work taking place outside the venue, much of which still has to be completed at time of writing (July 2023). It opens from 10am on Saturdays and do a fine breakfast.
If you fancy stopping over, they have rooms upstairs which are probably the best value for money rooms available in the town.
The Baum
A very short way out of the town centre and situated next to the Pioneers Co-operative museum, the Baum offers a range of real ales, bottled beers, wines and spirits. The Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale OL12 0NU https://thebaum.co.uk/
Distance on foot from the Baum to the ground is approx. 20 mins.
The D’Ale House
Situated in the Town Centre at the bottom of Drake Street, this new micropub opened in June 2021 and is convenient for the tram and bus interchange. A converted shop, it has been tastefully refurbished and is perfect for convivial drinking. It serves cask ale kept to superb quality. The pub has a central bar and has two entrances ,one on Drake Street and the other at the back on Church Lane. 5 Handpumps, one permanent from Pictish (D’ale), 2 permanent from Brightside and 2 guests 8 keg taps plus two German Lagers on a font.
The Empire
The Empire, 7 Packer Street, Rochdale, OL16 1 NJ. about 100 yards from the Flying Horse.
Its Rochdale’s oldest live music hall established 1904 but now a days its a modern lively bar, and its night time music and rich variety is a must for those wanting a night out before they go home or return to their hotel. Spacious and with ample seating its a popular venue for the visiting fan, being near the Flying Horse means its only about 25 mins walk to the ground and five mins in a car or cab. Website info HERE.
Rochdale Sports Club
Just five minutes’ walk from Spotland, Rochdale Sports Club is an amalgamation of Rochdale Cricket Club, Rochdale Lacrosse Club, and Rochdale Squash Club.
Based on Bridge fold Road next to Spotland with car parking facility for up to 100 vehicles conveniently located within close proximity to Rochdale Town Centre and the M62 motorway network the club opens all its facilities to travelling away fans and welcomes the use of the car park for patrons.
Rochdale Cricket, Lacrosse and Squash Club Ltd
Redbook
Bridgefold Road
OL11 5BX