The Brick

Walk into The Brick and you've stepped into the kind of pub that actually belongs to the people drinking in it, not some focus-grouped version of what a pub should be. Preston Street's got plenty of decent spots these days, but this one's got that rare thing: genuine character without the performance. You'll find locals at the bar who've been coming for years, proper cask ales that rotate through, and a no-nonsense approach to hospitality that feels increasingly precious. It's the sort of place where you can sit for hours over a pint without anyone making you feel like you're taking up valuable table space.