Popular pub first opened by Man Utd legend undergoes huge £400,000 revamp
A POPULAR pub first opened by a Manchester United legend has undergone a huge £400,000 revamp.
The boozer is home to Manchester’s “longest running free comedy night” and has seen some of the country’s top comedic talent.
The Ape and Apple Pub just off Deansgate belongs to the Manchester-based Joseph Holt brewery, established 175 years ago.
First opened in 1997 by Manchester United legend, Denis Law, the historic pub now boasts a number of new features.
The new refurbishment sees a top-to-toe decoration including the installation of new white marble topped bars, Manchester Evening News reports.
The interior has a brighter, sleeker and more modern design and lighting while their function room and popular roof terrace have also undergone improvements.
There are also nods to the pubs history including a photo of Denis Law pouring the pub’s first pint at the venue’s opening up on the wall.
With its weekly Comedy Balloon nights, the pub is one of the liveliest entertainment venues in the city.
The venue also plays host to salsa classes on a Monday night, one of the few pubs in the UK that holds these events.
It doesn’t stop there either with an improvised Murder Mystery night on the second Thursday of each month.
The work holds a special place in the heart of Jane Kershaw, whose great-great-great grandfather was founder Joseph Holt, who set up the brewery in 1849.
Jane designed the sign for the Ape and Apple at the age of 10 and it still hangs outside the pub today.
Her father, Richard Kershaw, the company’s CEO, asked Jane to design the sign on a rainy Saturday morning to give her something to do.
Jane is now a director of Joseph Holt and the sixth generation of the family to work in the company.
She said: “I always loved drawing, and even at the age of ten was obsessed with anything to do with the brewery.
“From how the beer was brewed to the pubs themselves.
“So I immediately set about making the sign for the Ape and Apple.
“I was thrilled when this was then turned into the sign which is still there today.
“It remains one of my proudest achievements – especially now the pub is in its 30th year and has this wonderful reputation for being such a popular venue.
“The Ape and Apple is one of our Manchester city centre flagship pubs.
“And following its recent refurbishment it’s likely to prove even more popular with customers who want somewhere to go to enjoy a lively night out as well as our selection of cask ales.
“It’s also popular with those who come to Manchester for a city break and are looking to enjoy the night life here.
“The Ape and Apple has such a wonderful history and we’re looking forward to a bright future for it too.”
Jane’s handiwork shows an ape balancing an apple in its hand as it perches on a barrel of beer and the sign has hung outside the pub since 1997.
A blue plaque can also be found on the wall outside the Ape and Apple.
The plaque commemorates scientist John Dalton, dubbed “The Father of Modern Chemistry”.
The Joseph Holt brewery headquarters have been located in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester since 1860.
As of 2025, they own 127 pubs across the North West.