The Circus Tavern, squeezed on Portland Street in Manchester, claims fame as the city’s smallest pub since 1790. A Georgian relic, its single-room setup—barely 10 feet wide—served cotton workers and travelers during Manchester’s industrial rise. Once tied to a nearby circus, its snug bar and low beams ooze old-world oddity. Today, it’s a pint-sized gem, but its tight walls whisper Manchester ghost stories that pack a punch.
The tavern thrived as Manchester boomed, its circus link adding flair to a gritty era. Its history crams tales into a small space—some say too small to let go. The Circus Tavern blends quirk with a haunted edge, luring fans of Manchester ghost stories to its door.
Alleged Ghost Stories
One tale spins The Clown’s Echo, a performer who died mid-act in 1820, crushed by a tent pole nearby. His faint giggle bounces off the walls, and coasters flip—patrons feel a playful shove. Another story tells of The Cotton Spinner, a worker who drank his wages away in 1840, collapsing dead outside. His heavy steps thud near the bar, and a whiff of lint hangs in the air. These Manchester ghost stories make The Circus Tavern a big haunt in a small package.