Review: First Chop Bar/Restaurant, Ramsbottom

43 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom.

Getting there:- Take East Lancs railway to Ramsbottom or 472 or 474 bus from Bury.

Blink and you'll miss it.

General

This is a real find. A bar come eatierie and my scores will reflect the fact that this IS a bar rather than a full-blown pub or dedicated restaurant. It is a shop conversion and has been in business for three years or so. Great range of real ales and ciders plus 6-7 continental beers on draught. Also cocktails and a good range of malts.

The main bar is at street level with a smaller bar and seating downstairs.

Ray, the owner is a real enthusiast and only puts beers on that he likes. Same with the food.

It is on the East Lancs Railway Ale Trail.

Live music on Thursdays and Sundays

Real Ales

Five beers on handpump. This can reduce to four midweek. Most from local breweries. I tried one from Irwell Vale, another from Porter's plus a real cider. Other brews not sampled came from Phoenix and Hawkshead, Thornbridge and Elland. All in tip top condition. If you buy five pints in a week your sixth is free but if you are a CAMRA member you don't have to drink them within the week.

Score 5/5

Other beers

Also, Liefmans, Amstell and four other continental beers and lagers on draught.

Score 5/5

Real Cider

Four real ciders on all the time.

Score 5/5

Bottled beers

A great selection of bottled beers from around the word including Belgium, Germany and the USA. Also fruit beers, root beer and dandylion and burdock. 

Score 5/5

Wine

9 wines that can be bought by the glass. On Tuesdays and Fridays if you buy two large glasses before 6.30, you get the bottle for free! Most of wines in £11-£14 range.

Also champagnes.

Score 5/5

Decor/Style/Ambience.

Plain, pine tables and seating. Functional rather than decorative.

Score 4/5

Toilets

Not visited

Food Tapas, sandwiches and their own fabulous burgers including the Burts cheese. £5-6 range. Sharing platters and much more. Kids get any tapas, fat chips, a fruit juice and ice cream for a fiver! On Tues-Thurs, buy two tapas and get a third free. All food is top quality and is sourced from local cheesemakers and bakeries in the north west.
 
Disabled access 

Score 5/5

Wheelchair users would have a problem as this is not a large bar but Ray will book you a quiet table if you let him know.

Score 4/5

Service

Extremely good, friendly. Generous tasters supplied on request. I got a nice wedge of Burts cheese plus three crackers. He loves his business and only too happy to welcome customers. Can be rare these days.

Score 5/5

Value for money

Given the overall choice and extremely good quality and numerous freebies and offers:-

Score 5/5

Scores
Beer 5/5

Cider 5/5
Wine 5/5
Food 5/5
Service 5/5
Decor/style 4/5
Disabled facilities 4/5 

OVERALL SCORE 5/5

(My first ever 5/5)

Recommend?

Yes, yes, yes!

THE BLUE SHED RESPONDS:-

Needless to say Old Lard Ass arrived back pissed again. Hasn't he ever heard of the term 'Growing old gracefully?' Obviously not.