News of The Old Grapes closing and the Sir Ralph Abercromby facing the wrecking ball has left many a beer-lover pondering the fate of Manchester’s traditional boozers.

While the city centre has no shortage of pubs, it’s a case of use them or lose them as drinking habits change in favour of newer, trendier craft beer and cocktail bars.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite ‘proper’ pubs, from the spit and sawdust joints that time forgot to those that have gently modernised while respecting their heritage.

Any we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below or give us a shout @CityLifeManc on Twitter.

The Briton’s Protection

This traditional boozer is a maze of nooks and crannies, with roaring log fires in two of its six rooms and a sun-trap beer garden.

Serving real ale, proper pies and one of the most extensive whisky selections in the city - more than 300 varieties, to be exact - it’s got everything you could want in a pub.

The Marble Arch

Everything a proper pub should be, this gem is worth the short trek up Rochdale Road from the city centre proper to see its remarkable interior, with original Victorian tiling and fireplaces.

The first pub in the Marble Beers family, it housed the brewery until 2011, so you can expect a great selection of real ale and craft beers, both Marble’s own and from further afield.

The Crown and Kettle

This Grade II listed pub is another sight to behold inside, with its spectacularly ornate ceiling and the Victorian fireplace in the snug.

Its real ale selection is well-kept and reasonably priced, especially when you consider its location on the fringe of the Northern Quarter - there aren’t many other places nearby where a pint will leave you change from £3.

The City Arms

A place where conversations rage and the world is regularly set to rights, you might even find the odd council employee or two to engage in political debate, given it’s a stone’s throw from the Town Hall.

With six real ales on rotation it’s got a respectable beer selection too.

Peveril of the Peak

Instantly recognisable by its green-tiled exterior, this Grade II listed pub was built in 1829 and just setting foot inside feels like stepping back in time.

Run by the same family for four decades, it attracts a friendly mix of locals, students and city professionals.

The Castle

This historic Northern Quarter pub has been part of the city’s music scene for decades, and is famed for hosting a now legendary John Peel interview with Joy Division singer Ian Curtis in 1979.

After a brief closure in 2008, it was brought back to life by former Coronation Street star Rupert Hill and his friend Jonny Booth, and now enjoys a reputation for quality live music nights and one of the best jukeboxes in town.

Sir Ralph Abercromby

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

While its future hangs in the balance under Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville's proposed St Michael's development , this historic pub in the shadow of the former Bootle Street nick is still open for now, so support it while you can.

Crisps in a basket, proper ale and a recent CAMRA award make this a hidden gem for beer lovers - although most of the city's switched on ale drinkers have been fans for a long time.

The Angel

The slightly shabby interior only makes this Ancoats gem even more appealing, as if the huge range of real ale and cider and top-notch pub grub wasn’t enough.

It’s also got a massive beer garden, roaring real fires and even a grand piano adding to the atmosphere.

The Smithfield

Recently reinvigorated by Manchester brewery Blackjack, this Great Ancoats Street pub is a masterclass in how to bring an old-school boozer up to date without sacrificing any of its age-old charm.

Classic ales and bar snacks (pickled eggs, anyone?) sit comfortably alongside more boundary-pushing craft beers, while pub games like darts, shove happeny and table skittles prove as popular as ever. No wonder it’s CAMRA’s city centre pub of the year.

The Rising Sun

(Image: Facebook)

Tucked away on Queen Street, off Deansgate, The Rising Sun is as honest as they come. It's not exactly clear when this pub was built, although the early 19th century seems to be the received wisdom - it stands not far from Manchester's longest continually licenced pub, The Sawyers Arms. The Rising Sun also backs out on to Lloyd Street, which has often sent overly refreshed gentlemen looking for the toilet into the road by way of a missed door.

The Vine Inn

Not too far from the Town Hall Tavern, The Vine also ticks the boxes for 'being on a sidestreet', 'precariously balanced TVs', and 'plenty of dark corners to hide in to pretend you're not in the pub when you should probably be at work/home'. Next door neighbour to The City Arms and staggering distance to Tiger Lounge.

The Old Nag's Head

(Image: Jason Lock)

A deceptively massive boozer on Jacksons Row that has managed to retain its character while the city - and Spinningfields - has grown around it. Jukebox and karaoke. All that. Sadly, it no longer rents out rooms for 'business naps' - you used to be able to book them for just 40 minutes at a time.

The Millstone

(Image: Google)

Defiantly situated on Thomas Street while the Northern Quarter man-buns itself into a frenzy, The Millstone is a proper pub for proper drinkers. And people who like karaoke on Tuesday afternoons. Some of the area's most lovable characters are to be found here, and it's a fantastically welcoming pub. There is also has a separate hotel known locally as The Little Northern Hotel, offering 15 rooms in case you don't fancy the long ride home.

The Hare and Hounds

Cute little boozer on Shudehill that also subscribes to the midweek karaoke principle - and on last visit served me a top notch cheese and onion barm wrapped in clingfilm for 50p. Now THAT is what I call bar snacks. Also once let me bring a multipack of crisps in to the bar because they'd ran out. Stitch that, Wetherspoons.

The Circus Tavern

(Image: Mark Waugh)

The smallest pub in Europe (allegedly) is in Manchester, on Portland Street. The Circus Tavern is one of CAMRA's top ten heritage pubs of Britain and the building has been a pub since around 1840. There may not be much wall space, but what there is has been adorned with pictures of famous visitors over the years. Walk in, try not to trip over the bar, slide yourself to the right and you're sat down. From there, it's pretty hard not to make new friends...

Have we missed your favourite? Let us know in the comments below...