Jolly Butcher
The Jolly Butcher is a J.W. Lees pub on Petersfield Drive in Baguley, Manchester. It prides itself on its selection of cold lagers and cask ales, as well as its wide range of weekly entertainment, including karaoke, quizzes and bingo. Sports fixtures are also regularly shown inside the pub.
In addition to the main bar area, the Jolly Butcher operates a function room which is rented out for special occasions. There is also a beer garden at the rear of the premises.
There is no food menu and the pub is drinks-only, except for minor nibbles such as packets of nuts.
Parking and accessibility
The pub has a private car park which can accommodate a few dozen vehicles, though this is rarely filled to capacity as most people walk or get a taxi to the pub. Parking is free but for ‘patrons only’.
The nearest bus stop is on Altrincham Road, a couple of minutes away by foot. The nearest tram stop is Moor Road, a roughly 15 minute walk. It's not very practical to reach the pub by train, with the nearest train station being Navigation Road, roughly 45 minutes away by foot.
The Jolly Butcher has a ramp entrance, making it accessible for wheelchairs. However, the public pavement around the pub lacks any dropped kerbs.
Inspections
The Jolly Butcher was last inspected by the Food Standards Agency on 17th May 2025, and was given a 'Good' (4/5) rating. Hygienic food handling was 'very good', cleanliness was 'generally satisfactory', and management of food safety was 'good'.
History
The year the Jolly Butcher opened is unknown, but it was at some point between 1958 and 1977.[1][2]
On 26th May 1993, three individuals wearing masks threw a paving stone through one of the Jolly Butcher's windows. The landlord was then held at knifepoint by the individuals, who was forced to hand over the keys to the pub's safe. Money was taken from the safe and the individuals fled the scene.
At some point in September 1996, a 22-year-old barman at the Jolly Butcher pub had finished their shift and was heading home with their girlfriend. During the walk home, three individuals chased the barman before beating him with a baseball bat and robbing his money (believed to be £10-15). The barman suffered multiple skull fractures and required subsequent brain scans.
On 3rd October 2006, the pub applied for planning permission to build a smoking area (canopy) at the rear beer garden. Manchester City Council approved the plans on 7th November 2006.