City Centre Again

Another Tuesday afternoon in town started in a famous one, Ye Cracke:

For a moment I thought this might be shut, but the door pushed open and in I went.  Only three customers in the place on a Tuesday afternoon.  I selected Phoenix White Monk and the landlady poured it, took my money, and then looked closely.  "I'm just checking to see if it clears", she said, and it soon became obvious that it wouldn't.  "It only went on yesterday, someone must have knocked the barrel when we had a delivery this morning."  "This is another pale one" she continued, and pulled me a pint of Dogs Bollocks I think it was, before turning the clip round on the Phoenix.

Always a pleasant place for a nice drink, this, with a surprising lack of tourists today.  I relaxed in one of the larger rooms and enjoyed my ale.

Just a few yards down the road is the Pilgrim:

Even quieter than the Cracke, just the barmaid and me in the large downstairs room.  Three real ales were on, I chose Lancaster Amber, and it was in good nick.

Once I was served the young lady busied herself putting up Hallowe'en decorations.  Too early in my opinion, but not as bad as the Brook in Cambridge where I grumbled to the barman about their decorations the week before last.

No one came and no one left... - No, let's not do that again.  A bit lacking in atmosphere, of course, with nobody in, but I bet it's fun on a Friday night.  I can't recall if I've ever done it at a busy time, I vaguely recall a dispute about short measures a very long time ago.

Just a short walk to the Grapes, just to take a picture because whatpub says it doesn't open until later:

But hang on, the lights are on and I can see people inside, so I can go in after all. 

My recollection of this place from 2016 could be summed up as "Great ale, bit of a dump".  They've changed one of those and kept the other - Yes, it's now great ale in a very pleasant pub.  And they've knocked through into next door creating a comfortable space.

I ordered a pint of Loch Fyne "Jarl or Yarl, however it's pronounced".  The landlord/barman didn't know either.  Either way, it was gorgeous.

Just a few other customers, their chatting at the counter mixing with the music.

Now for a complete contrast, in to Brewdog:

Slightly busier than my previous ticks, but still pretty empty, just the occasional customer going to the counter.  One came in with his bike, now that wouldn't be allowed in a traditional pub!

It's always a bit risky, I think, to get advice from the barman, but my half of 8.2% Sink the Pink, from German brewers Brlo, was truly exceptional.  It's got that sweet tang of a barley wine, with some fruity flavours as well.

Next, something else different again, Red Dog:

Last time I was here, back in 2004 when it was called Bar VR, I was rather disparaging about a plain down at heel bar with customers to match, but I didn't recognise anything this time. 

A rather well done food and drink place, with dark wood panelling, all modern I think, on two floors.

Totally deserted at five on a Tuesday, three staff and me!

No real ale of course, so I selected at random something called Wild River, which turned out to be brewed by Fullers and rather tasty.

The music mixed with the staff chatting, and fiddling with a wonky Magners font, eventually patched up with some sticky tape.

Pub of the day: The Grapes
Miles walked: 1.7

Good Beer Guide 2020

The new Good Beer Guide is out, and I can report there are seventeen deletions and fifteen new entries in Merseyside this year.

If you want to know which pubs they are, you'll have to buy the book.

Nobody Home in Liverpool

A random City Centre selection of visits started at the Fly in the Loaf:

No change in here since my last visit back in 2008, and nothing to contradict my notes about a lack of atmosphere, because there was only me and the barman in.  I'm surprised they don't do better than this at one on a Tuesday, perhaps everyone is partied out after the Bank Holiday.

Obviously, I had to have Okell's Bitter from the selection of handpumps, it was spot on.  The barman busied himself putting out menus (The food looks good value for central Liverpool.) and sorting behind the counter, while I sat alone and enjoyed my ale.

Someone cleared his throat.  No one left and no one came.
(Adlestrop, Edward Thomas)

As an aside, I think I've learned something here: I usually spell it "no-one".  Of course, one could ask, if "someone" is correct, why isn't it "noone"?

Hmmm.  Fly in the Loaf Est 1927 says the sign on the bar front.  I'm guessing that's the bakery 'cos I know it isn't the bar.

Finally the quiet was broken by the chef who came out for a chat with the barman.  I don't think my pint will pay their wages!

Next, the Flute:

I first came in here when it was the Flute and Firkin, back in 1999.  The post-firkin incarnation is a rather well done large open room with a wooden floor.  Umpteen TV screens provide various sports, mostly horse racing this afternoon.

One barman and four customers here, it's doing slightly better than the Fly!

Only one handpump in operation, I decided not to risk it and went for lager instead.

The signing of the gents leaves a little to be desired.  Luckily for me one of the other customers did a tour of the room and then asked the barman, so I knew where to go when it was my turn.

On to the Hope and Anchor:

Oh dear.  Two staff and me.  Where is everyone?  This student-oriented place has fun attractive decor, all it needs is some students.

No real ale, so I had a half of something very tasty from Brewdog.  But it was way too warm.

Two more people appeared, but they turned out to be more staff, possibly one was an interviewee.

Actually, I've no idea what a student in 2019 wants in a bar, and I didn't even like student bars when I was one all those years ago - My favourite drinking hole then was a traditional street corner boozer.  So I use the phrase student-oriented from a position of ignorance.  I'm guessing a place like this is hanging on for a sudden flood of custom at the end of September when term starts.  Perhaps it'll be packed in freshers week (Do they still have that?)

As I finished my beer, one of the staff set to painting some furniture.

Where next?  I wasn't expecting any new ticks today but hang on, what's this?  The Casa Bar.  How many times have I walked past?  Sorry, I forgot to take a picture.

I'm not sure why I've never been in here before, I think I had some idea it was a restaurant or something, but in fact it's a pub plain and simple.  No real ale so I had Guinness for a change.

This was busy compared with all the previous ticks, with about twenty customers adding chatter to the background music.

A staircase leads to the cellar bar, but I didn't venture down to check it out.  No one went down or came up while I was there.

Rather unusually for 2019, the pub has multiple signs advising that it is cash only.  I wonder if anyone comes in and then leaves because cards are no good;  probably not very often.

The holiday weather is over, it's raining, but just across the road is the wonderful world famous Philharmonic:

What can I say that hasn't already been said?  An architectural gem, one of the most beautiful pubs in the world, and quite busy with tourists as you would expect.

I selected a stout from the array of handpumps, and it was superb.

I sat in Liszt, I don't think I've used this room before, with a wonderful stained glass window in front of me; "Music is the Universal Language of Mankind - Longfellow".

Next, another chance to tick off a never before visited bar, up a back street resisting the temptation of the wonderful Roscoe Head and on to the Scholar:

Back to the tumbleweeds again, just me and the barmaid in this rather nicely decorated one room pub which I guess is aimed at the student market.  Presumably it'll be busier once the term starts.

Finally, time to check a new sighting - Grand Central, the former Methodist hall, now has Smokie Mo's neons over the doorway.  But it's not actually open on a Tuesday afternoon.  So on to the beloved Crown:

It's always difficult to photograph this pub without getting run over, especially when it's at the end of a seven pub crawl, so the photo is from 2002.
Once again, what can I say that hasn't already been said?  Well, the new arrangement with an extra side door into the front room also features a re-shuffled counter, the real ales are now in one row in the middle, there used to be two groups of handpumps with keg fonts and a till in between.

I headed for my preferred seat in the back room.  The pub was doing nicely, with plenty of customers, mostly eating.  What hasn't changed is the quality of the real ale, my pint of, er, I've forgotten what - something pale and hoppy, was excellent.

Pub of the day: Jointly the Crown and the Phil.
Miles walked: 1.5

Sunshine On Wirral

The Merseyrail strike being called off the plan was back on, and a series of trains carried me to Heswall station, from where a pleasant one mile stroll through the sunny countryside took me to the village of Barnston and the Fox & Hounds:

Here I found a large country pub aimed mainly at diners, of which there were already a few at a quarter past twelve.  The bar room is a beautiful antique space dedicated to drinkers.  The rest of the rooms are a little more modern in styling, still very pleasant.

Quiet jazz music was the sound here, with conversations in the background.

Six real ales were on, I had a great pint of Landlord.  I perched at a high table near the counter and watched the activity as waitresses dashed about.  Something was wrong with the printer, resulting in some drinks orders going missing.

Next, another walk through the countryside to Thingwall and the never before visited Bassett Hound:

Here I found a Greene King chain dining pub, with a very pleasant knocked through interior.  There are some very old wooden beams in the ceiling, but I think they might be decorative rather than genuine.

Abbot, IPA, Landlord and St Austell's Liquid Sunshine were on handpump, my Cornish pint was very good.

At one on a Saturday afternoon the place was almost deserted, the waiting staff messing about and chatting because they had no work.  This really is a well done pub, I hope it gets more customers later.

How's the cricket going?  At lunch England only need 348 more to win!  Oh dear!

A number of people who had been drinking outside carried their ale inside.  Had it started to rain?  I couldn't see out from where I was sitting and I wondered about getting wet as I have another significant walk to the next tick.

I needn't have worried, it was still unbroken bright sunshine as I set off towards the former Cherry Orchard, now just known as the Toby Carvery Arrowe:

I was a bit concerned that with the name change this had crossed the line from pub to restaurant and that they would no longer welcome drinkers, but I needn't have worried.  I walked up to the counter and ordered a lager.  The three handpumps were clearly purely decorative.

I sat in the "quiet side" where there were very few people, the dining area at the other end of the pub was busier, and the chatter of happy diners mixed with the clink of cutlery and crockery, under the quiet muzac.

A steady stream of people came to the counter for drinks, were they also drinkers like me or diners coming back for another drink?

First sighting of a "Book now for Christmas" poster this year!

Next, a shorter walk to the Arrowe Park:

Another GK chain, Hungry Horse this time.  As I entered I failed to spot the handpumps and ordered a lager, but I later saw all the clips were turned round, so no loss.

A standard Greene King food pub, clean, tidy, nicely decorated and well maintained as they usually are.  Mid Saturday afternoon it was ticking over and most of the customers I could see were not eating.  Perhaps the diners were in the other side of the large building.

Now, a choice:  Do I head to the Stirrup which I believe to be closed, just to get a picture?  I haven't got one from my 2010 drink there.  Or do I go straight to the next target?

Long way round, of course:

Looks a bit sad, doesn't it.

Next, on to the Woodchurch:

In contrast to the previous pubs today, this is a down market plain clean and tidy estate boozer.

A dozen or so locals were keeping the place going.  I had another lager and sat in the bar side.  There is another side but I'm not sure if it's operational.  I'm no expert but it looks to me like the original 60s decor and layout have been refurbished away.  I must say I have grown to like the new Carling glasses, decorative and easy to hold.

The main sound in here was the juke box, with chatter underneath.  Thankfully Sky Sports News on the big screen was silent.

England only need 302 to win now.  Anyone with a ticket for Monday, time to make alternative plans I think!

Another quandry:  The next step is a short walk to the main road, where I can get a bus back to Liverpool.  Do I get off that bus and nip up to the Wirral Hundred to tick off another pub I've never visited?  If I don't do it today it'll be an odd isolated one requiring a special trip.  But can I drag myself off the bus home?

The decision was helped when the first bus to arrive wasn't to Liverpool, so I rode a few stops and then jumped off and walked up to the Wirral Hundred:

I'm told this pub was built in the late 1970s, a rare time for pub construction.  I felt the outside looked a little scruffy in places, but the inside was very tidy and pleasant.  The style and layout inside are possibly original.  Was it always one open room like this?  Probably.

No real ale, so time for another lager.

Quite a few regulars were creating a gentle hubub of chatter.  Meanwhile, the cricket was on the big screen, so I could watch a little of England's humiliation.  Actually they seemed to be postponing the inevitable quite well.

Time to go home.

Pub of the day: Fox & Hounds for the beautiful bar room.
Miles walked: 6.3
Maybe coming soon: Whiston

Prescot

Not so far afield today, just two stops on the train and a short walk took me to the impressive building that is the Grapes:

This rather fine construction, which I'm guessing dates from the 1930s (But I could be decades off.) contains a standard Greene King chain pub with the "Pub and Carvery" brand.

It was ticking over fairly quietly at one on a Tuesday, mostly with diners.  My pint of some summer-themed ale was not at its best, I'm afraid.

The large open knocked through interior retains some old, possibly original, features; dark wood panelling and matchboarding.

Next, the Wellington:

Another rather wonderful building, this time almost Baronial in style and, I suspect, also dating from the 20s or 30s.

Any history inside has mostly been refurbished away, I think, although the odd old-looking feature remains, such as the entrance doors and their stylish handles.  Could the leaded windows be original as well?

A Greene King dining place once again, this time with no obvious brand on the menu.  Pretty empty, but with a few groups finishing their meals.

I selected Landlord, and it was maybe a touch on the warm side but otherwise excellent.  Keen to play with my new toy, Google Pay, I was disappointed to find there's a £5 minimum on card payments here, so I had to use real money.  If Wetherspoons can accept cards for a £1.79 pint, why can't everyone? 

Now, the longest walk of the day, on towards the centre of Prescot, and the Royal Oak:

A rather good two sided boozer this, well cared for and full of happy regulars.  OK, not exactly full, but doing pretty well for a Tuesday afternoon.

Two handpumps, one clip turned round, so lager for me.

The music, a good selection including The Who, was very quiet, almost drowned by the lads playing pool.  (Lads?  They're as old as I am.)

On my last visit, in 2012, I particularly noted this place as spotless and well cared for, and it still is.  Plenty of other places could take lessons on maintenance and cleaning from this pub.

Just a short walk away is Tommy Hall's.  But it's not called that any more, it's been formalised as the Thomas Hall.  I can remember when it was the Hare and Hounds:

Did it always have that splendid Knotty Ash Ales sign on the front?  Ah, there are a number of old pictures of the pub on display inside and the answer is no, it was covered over by a sign saying Tommy Halls and before that Hare and Hounds.

Inside, this two sided traditional boozer hasn't changed at all.  Plain, clean and tidy, but not as immaculate as the Royal Oak.

Half a dozen or so regulars were keeping it ticking over, and providing gentle chatter underneath the racing commentary.

No real ale so lager again for me.

Next, over to the other side of Prescot, and the Clock Face:

No changes since my last call in 2015 here, a fine interior and quality Thwaites real ales make for a good pub.

The layout is partly knocked through but retains separate rooms.  Only three or four customers at four in the afternoon.

I would have thought a building like this would be a real money spinner as a dining pub, but apparently not.  There was no sign of menus, nor of anyone eating in the mostly-deserted interior.

Finally, a double back to a pub I've just walked past, the Sun Inn.  I hadn't noticed before the large sign on the end of the building.  Shame it's obscured by a billboard.  And a blank billboard at that.

What a great pub this is.  The lounge side consists of three rooms served from a counter in the corridor. 

Pretty quiet at half past four, although a noisier group came in just as I was retreating to the cool quiet empty back room with my excellent Oakham Bishops Farewell.

The gang soon moved to another room, and peace descended once again, with distant chatter and very quiet music mixing with the sound of traffic - My chosen seat had a straight line view along the drinking corridor to the open front door and the street.

Six pubs visited, no new ones but they were all at least four years since my last visit, mostly more than that.  So, time to get the bus home (Perhaps via the chippy).

Pub of the day: The Sun Inn without doubt.
Miles walked: 2.5

A Rootle Round Bootle

I have done a few trips here in the last few years, so today was a bit of a mopping-up operation, visiting some widely spaced Bootle pubs which I had missed on recent visits.  I walked past the closed Wyndham and Wharf:

... and started at the Lock and Quay:

This pub was formerly the Little Merton, which I never managed to visit, so another new tick, the sixth of the week!

Inside I found one knocked through room with fun decor on music and maritime themes.  On the counter three handpumps, only one with a clip, and I had a pint of Stamps' Submarina, which I thought a little past its best.

Most of the customers were outside enjoying the sunshine, with just three or four of us inside.

The sign says this is a community pub with profits re-invested in local projects.  A laudable scheme, it's a shame we don't see more of these, I think this might be the only one in Merseyside?

My next destination was the Mayflower.  Checks on the internet seemed to suggest it was probably closed but no:

My notes from 2004 described this as a plain smoky two-sided pub.  This time I could see no evidence of the other side apart from a padlocked door, and of course no smoke, but it's still a plain, clean and tidy boozer, quite popular on a Friday afternoon.

Obviously no real ale but my lager was cold, cheap, and refreshing.

Two different silent racing channels were on the tellys, mostly ignored.  The main sound was animated chatter and laughter, with music very much in the background.

Next, the Merton:

I must say this is an imposing building from the outside.  It was a Wetherspoon's between 2009 and 2016, this was my first visit since then and, like other ex-spoons I have visited, they have kept the styling and signage.

There were umpteen handpumps on the counter, only one with a clip, but I decided not to risk it, and stuck to cool refreshing fizz.

The place was ticking over well, with most tables outside occupied, and quite a few drinkers inside as well.

I noted smugly that I have drunk in here previously, both before and during Tim Martin's tenure.  There was also an occasion in 2004 where they wanted three quid entrance fee (On a Thursday) - On principle I "made my excuses and left":  As a general rule I don't think a pub should charge an entrance fee, although where that leaves beer festivals I don't know.

Next, a stroll past some pubs visited more recently and/or closed, so I didn't go in today.  The Jawbone:

The closed Stanley Arms:

I was disappointed to see that the Laburnum is also now closed:

...while I knew Kingies has been closed for some time:

At last, on to a bit of an outlier on the other side of Bootle, the Albion which I last ticked in February 2000.  Would it still be open?  Oh yes:

Knocked through round a three-sided servery, this is a classic like you don't often see nowadays.  Dark wood panelling and (fake) etched glass mirrors make for a splendid feel, just like hundreds of pubs I've visited but not many in the last few years.

A small number of locals were keeping the place going and creating a gentle chatter under the music.  The jukebox moved on to Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Someone's got good taste!

Pub of the day: Difficult to choose one from such a widely varying selection.
Miles walked: 2.3

A Butchers At Garston

A little trip to Garston to tick off some pubs, actually starting in Allerton at the Butchers:

A pleasant micro-pub converted from a butchers' shop, retaining the tilework and meat-hooks etc.  More of a cafe than a pub, really, but with two handpumps and a great menu of bottled beers from around the world I'm happy.  All the other customers were on coffee and/or food I think, but my pint of Shropshire Gold was perfect.  Served at my table, as well.

The menu looks good, especially the breakfast.  But I resisted.

Continuing the theme of Tuesday, this was a first visit for me, but I'm not expecting any more new ticks today.

Off to Garston proper, and the Masonic:

I selected a real ale from the two handpumps in the bar side.  We've got loads more in the yard, said the barmaid, come and have a look.  So I followed her through to the lounge and then outside to see a selection of tapped casks.  "They're £2.90 a pint, or £10 for all you can drink"!  "You need to be careful about turning the tap off", she added as she poured my pint of Hooky.

Oh my goodness!  The temptation!  All you can drink, and pour it yourself.  Am I dreaming?

I manfully resisted, and only had the pint of Hooky, which if I was being super critical might have been just past its best, but I couldn't be sure.

A peaceful pub on a Thursday afternoon this, with a few regulars chatting and the racing commentary in the background.  Why haven't they got the cricket?  Australia wobbling at 108 for 5.

On towards the centre of Garston, skipping the Derby which I ticked two years ago.  I was rather doubtful as to the status of the New Wellington, but here it was, open:

I seem to recall this was a very large two sided place, I think one half is no longer a pub but what remains is a rather fine one-bar boozer with two rooms nicely decorated.  The handful of regulars were somewhat boisterous, but they took no notice of me in my quiet corner.

No real ale, so a cool and refreshing lager was in order.

Truly a local's boozer, every newcomer was greeted by friends already in; a pub where everyone knows your name.  (Except mine, of course.)

The locals calmed down a little, and I monitored the Test Match.  122 for 8, who'd have thought it!  (Little did I know...)

On to the Swan:

I entered the bar side, and risked a Doom Bar from the solitary hand pump.  It was foul.  I should have complained but I couldn't be bothered.

Again, plenty of regulars chatting in this gem of a pub only let down on this occasion by the quality of the ale.

I abandoned my pint of vinegar and headed for the final target of the day, the Alexandra.  Sadly, when I got there not only was it closed, but it had been demolished and replaced by a KFC.  Streetview research shows it was still standing, albeit boarded up, just a year ago.  I gave up in disappointment and headed for home.

Pub of the day: Masonic, for the beer offer!
Miles walked: 2.3
Maybe coming soon: Bootle, Southport

A Wirral Miscellany

I started a Wirral jaunt on a bus to Greasby, and jumped off outside what used to be the Twelfth Man, and then was Goodwin's, now its the Gravesberie Inn:

Wikipedia tells me Gravesberie is the original Saxon name of Greasby, recorded in the Domesday Book.

Pleasant contemporary chain dining pub decor greeted me.  Unusually for a Greene King pub, there were no handpumps at all on the counter, so I resorted to a half of Punk IPA, which was very welcome in the hot humid weather.

The bar side where I sat was completely empty, but I could hear chatter and the rattle of cutlery from the dining side.

Next, a stroll through quiet suburban streets to Saughall Massie, and the never before visited Saughall:

Another pleasant enough food place and once again one side is dedicated to drinkers, where I sat alone.  There were plenty of people in the dining side, though, and lots of food appeared while I was being served.  Three handpumps offering Thwaites Original, Thwaites IPA, and Gold from, you've guessed it, Thwaites.  On a cooler day I might have nit-picked and reported that the Gold was a little over-chilled, but today it was lovely.

From the architectural point of view, I noted old-looking leaded glass in all the windows.  Some of the matchboarding inside could be fairly old as well, but I suspect most of any history has been refurbished away over the years.

Next, a short walk to the Willows:

Another first visit for me, but would I get a tick?  I entered the lounge side to find a function going on, with tables decorated and a buffet.  I approached the counter and asked if I could come in, the landlady said yes and served me a lager.  Phew!

With all the tables decorated I wondered where to sit, soon heading for the corridor to the bar side where two blokes were playing pool in an otherwise empty room.

It was pleasantly cool, dark and peaceful this side, and I enjoyed my Carling.  The jukebox and the click of pool balls mixed with the clink of glassware from the servery and the distant chatter from the other side to make an ideal pub soundtrack.

More pool players arrived, looking rather damp.  I peered out of the window to see that the rain which had been threatening all afternoon had started pouring down.  And the next target might be closed...

The rain stopped and I headed off.  Rumbles of thunder threatened, and a few drops of rain spotted my tee-shirt as I aimed for the Overchurch.  Would my luck hold out?  Was I in for a soaking?  Would it be open?  It didn't look promising as I approached, but walking past for a better photo I could see an open door:

Yes!!  My third new tick of the day.

Inside, a plain pleasant traditional estate boozer, one room with about ten regulars chatting.  No real ale, of course, so another Carling for me.

Time to head for the centre of Upton.  Could I get another new tick?  Oh yes, the Bow-Legged Beagle:

Unusually, it's got an automatic sliding door, I bet there's an icy blast when someone comes in in the winter!

I had a spot on pint of Liverpool Brewing Co's Session IPA.

I presume this is related to the New Brighton place of the same name.  A one room shop conversion making a comfortable friendly boozer with excellent ale.  Nine other customers, who all knew the barman, I was the stranger!

I noted a very good selection on the keg taps, including my favourite Stay Puft from Tiny Rebel, and Budweiser Budvar.

So, there're two more pubs here which I last visited in 2013, but I think I've had enough for today, so time for a bus home...  After all, four new ticks is pretty amazing nowadays.  That takes me to 1,313 pubs visited out of 1,846 listed.

Pub of the day: The Bow-Legged Beagle
Miles walked: 2.6
Maybe coming soon: Bootle or Garston

Saturday Afternoon In Town

Just a quick trip into Liverpool city centre, for a chance to check out our new Wetherspoon's:

Not the best time to visit, half past three on a Saturday afternoon, but needs must...

This compact member of the chain, with one open dark-panelled room broken up by pillars, was not surprisingly packed, and customers were waiting three deep at the counter.  A quick glance at the pumps found me Oakham's White Dwarf which when I was eventually served was superb.  To be fair, I didn't wait too long, there were a large number of staff running up and down behind the counter and, unusually for 'spoons serving people in order.

I managed to find a vacant table near the kitchen, and I watched meals whizzing out.  For some reason one lonely chicken burger sat on the top shelf for ages while other meals came and went, I wonder why.  Eventually it was delivered, with no hint of why it had been delayed.

Just across the road is The Old Bank:

The interior here is spectacular, and I think it has been further tidied up since my last visit, in 2002.  Marble columns, gold ceiling decorations, wrought iron banisters and umpteen chandeliers.

Again, it was busy on a Saturday afternoon, but not as packed as Wetherspoon's.  A very mixed crowd, groups of lads, tourists, a hen party, and a lone pub blogger.

The kit was set up for live music later, a solo singer judging by the size of the stage.  In the mean time, plenty of sport was on tellys around the walls.  Large screens and yet somehow unobtrusive - Well done!

A brief random wander took me to a place I've never heard of, the Castle Street Townhouse:

I wonder what this was before?  Now, it's a rather well done up-market bar full of beautiful people drinking gin or Prosecco, but also quite a lot of beer, Blue Moon seemed the most popular served with a slice of orange, of course.  I chose Love Lane, a pint of which cost me £5.00.  (Cheaper than the pints of Dark Star Hophead I had in London yesterday!)

I must say that while this is certainly not my sort of pub, it is rather well done, with efficient friendly staff buzzing around providing good service.

Now we're doing bars I've never heard of on Castle street, the options are manifold.  I chose McGuffie at random:

This narrow corridor bar had rather fun quirky old-looking decor to match the original leaded glass shop front.

Only two beers on tap, Asahi or Kozel, and they don't sell pints, only schooners.

Another bar that's not of my sort, but is still rather good.  A bit too much show-off cocktail shaking behind the counter, er, what's the name of that film?  Duh, it's Cocktail, with Tom Cruise.

Time to go home.

Pubs of the day: Captain Alexander for the ale, the Old Bank for the decor.
Miles walked: 1

Dodging The Grockles

A visit to Cambridge City Centre on a Sunday during tourist season (January to December) is always a pain, but I had some shopping to do.  As soon as possible I headed out of the centre to escape the hoards of tourists who seemingly don't seem to know how to walk down a busy street let alone how to behave in a pub, and to the Castle:

The pleasant old-ish multi-room interior with a slightly quirky layout including a window between two rooms, was pleasingly quiet at one on a Sunday, a wonderful oasis of calm after Trinity Street.

A wide range of Adnam's brews is on offer along with a couple of guests, and I selected the always good Ghost Ship.

The handful of other customers were all dining, from the menu of pub standards.

Across the road to the Architect:

Rather fun contemporary styling in here, with pale blue wood panelling, white tiles, and faux-industrial lights and gantries.

In this Everards house I obviously went for Tiger, but a couple of pulls soon revealed it had run out.  Instead, I had a pint of Sunchaser which, to be honest, was well past its best.  Probably the first one pulled today.

Only five other customers, all eating, until a sixth came in for a half of something.

Down some back streets I've never seen before to a pub I've never heard of, the Punter:

Here I found a pleasant traditional multi-roomed boozer, quite busy with dining groups.

My dithering at the four handpumps was quickly halted when I spotted that the house ale was brewed by Oakham.  Punter Blonde tastes like Oakham Citra, one of my all time favourites.

Quite a loud level of cheerful chatter in here, in contrast to the last two visited.

I noticed the groups of diners were getting their drinks served by waiters, had I committed a faux pas by ordering at the bar?