WHEN a long-time friend asked me which bar I would recommend for her to take her weekend guests to and I suggested Sand Bar, she replied, "What, still?", as if all the years of bars opening in and around the city centre have somehow sucked dry the spirit of this perfect independent watering hole, and left it an outdated shell.

Sure the city has a multitude of amazing places to keep every person under the sun entertained, but for me Sand has always encapsulated everything that a good bar should offer - great atmosphere, good beer, easy going company and a certain something that makes it feel like home.

A few weeks ago, when the bar celebrated its 10th birthday, I dropped in along with hundreds of others, and listened to some of the anecdotes and reminiscences from the colourful, often opinionated crowd (even an old lecturer or two of mine, looking a bit grey around the temples) about their own personal history of the bar.

We talked about the dodgy jukebox that almost but not quite plays that great classic before last orders, about the friendships forged over a Belgian beer or three, about the political arguments, romances, book storylines and good old-fashioned gossip that are so much more important for the character of a place than sophisticated decor.

Goggles

Returning last week for an objective review without the rose-tinted goggles, I was relieved to find that the bar was still happily buzzing away even on an early Monday night with a crowd of locals, students, art aficionados, couples, the same as ever.

There has been a fresh lick of paint on the walls of the Georgian townhouses, knocked through to make a fusion of weird nooks and crannies.

The mood is more mature than with the once vivid red and yellow scheme - now they have a sombre aubergine and burgundy accent - but the same old hotchpotch of chairs, tables and benches. Although the designated non-smoking section still has much to make up in atmosphere terms to the rest of the spaces, it was still packed.

Sand Bar kicked off - alongside the Marble brand bars - a renewed interest in real ale and foreign speciality beers. Where once Hoegaarden was unique, you now have Dentergems and Paulaner, far superior offerings, as well as an ever-changing cask ale selection, nine beers on draught and more imported bottles.

The wine has improved from the é5 red of my youth, to a decent merlot, the cheapest choice at é7.90 a bottle. The doors now stay open a little longer for the weekend, but the staff stay as friendly and quirky as ever, and long may it never change.

Sand Bar, 120 Grosvenor Street, All Saints, Manchester (0161 273 3141, www.sandbaronline.net) Mon-Sat, noon-midnight; Sun, 2pm-10.30pm.