One thing about Greater Manchester is that we do exceptional beer. Craft, keg, cask, and then you add cider and wine to the mix, and our region is the best place for a night out or a casual drink. Now, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for Rochdale, Oldham and Bury (ROB) has announced its individual town winners of Pub of the Year – and Bury has given two lovely spots the iconic accolade.
The CAMRA Pub of the Year competition is restricted to the ROB pubs which are in the current Good Beer Guide, and members can vote for three borough pubs of the year – Rochdale, Oldham and Bury – plus an overall Branch pub of the year which goes on to the Regional competition and hopefully beyond. The results are usually announced at the March branch meeting with award presentations as soon as possible after.
The Bury CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025 joint winners were Broad St Social in Bury town centre, and Irwell Works Brewery Tap in the lovely town of Ramsbottom, offering different, yet equally as impressive experiences. Broad St Social is described as a “welcoming bar in the centre of Bury […] owned by Brewsmith Beer whose beers rotate across the six hand pulls along with guest ales sourced from independent breweries across the region.”
The range at Broad St Social always includes a mixture of session, pale and dark ales, also boasting a changing range of keg ales with Ayinger Hell lager and cider from Hogan’s as permanent fixtures.
CAMRA also notes “Friendly and knowledgeable staff are able to offer samples and a discount card operates on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sundays with a free pint after six stamps.”
Joint winner Irwell Works Brewery Tap has also been honoured, described by CAMRA as a “small local […] situated on the first floor above the Irwell Works Brewery with a balcony for outside drinking.”
Irwell Works Brewery Tap serves a range of eight beers from the brewery’s own production, priding themselves on the brewing and sale of traditional style beers with hops and barley being predominantly English. The two Gwynt Y Ddraig ciders on hand pump are no longer considered to be real ciders, but really pack a punch for cider-lovers.
Hot and cold snacks including Carrs Pasties, homemade sausage rolls and cheese boards are now served from Friday to Sunday between 12pm-5pm, and live music keeps punters entertained every Wednesday and Thursday night.
What’s more, the bar is decorated with old photographs of the Ramsbottom area, grounding it in its surroundings, and it’s only a short walk to the East Lancashire Railway, the local preserved steam railway, further cementing its position in the local history.
These two pubs really are the pride of Bury, if not Greater Manchester, so do pop by if you have the chance. You can see the full CAMRA Pub of the Year list here.
📍 Broad St Social, 9 Broad St, Bury BL9 0DA | Irwell Works Brewery Tap, Irwell St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9YQ.