Right next door to The Wellington, it’s a bit of a different thing, so they’ll probably co-exist quite happily.
This place is definitely towards the hipster craft beer end of the market, (faux-industrial light fittings, scaffold poles, a la Brewhouse and Kitchen) but it’s still a pretty Ok place to drink, or at least, it was on a Thursday afternoon- I think had it been a busier time I’d have liked it less. Great choice of beer, nice staff, outside space. Only real disadvantage is the (vertical) distance to the toilets, though there is an accessible one on the ground floor.
It’s a little hipster, but what do you expect, in affluent Lichfield, and the advantage is you get a good selection of cask and craft ale. Busy on a Friday afternoon.
A small bar downstairs, and another area up a set of stairs (as are the toilets) that are quite seriously steep if you’re old and fucked, like me.
The aforementioned cask was in good condition, and the craft and Belgian selection is *huge*. Pleasant staff, no food that I could see, music was either quiet or non-existent. Group of much younger and much cooler than me lads sat next to us, using the USB charging points(!). Decor is reproduction enamel signs, stripped floorboards, old wooden tables. Not at all unpleasant.
First impressions had this feeling odd: we walked past the side entrance (for the bar), and had to walk back through the restaurant, and then the bar felt a bit…vibrant.
A second visit was better (or was it just us in a better mood?). The bar feels like a traditional Scottish pub, and while there was no cask ale, there was decent craft keg. Staff were pleasant too.
The restaurant is seperated by a corridor, so the two functions don’t interfere, which is good for both. The food in the restaurant, by the way, was excellent.
I was reluctant. We were eating nearby, and the previous place we passed was an All Bar One, home of overpriced drinks for the terminally uninspired, and this looked a bit hipster, and had the currently fashionable 90s revival exposed cable tray, but it redeemed itself with a great beer selection: I had to have Temple of Love from Hopcraft. There were hipster types, but prices were surprisingly OK.
I often hate “quirky”. Too often it’s an excuse for corporate design fuckwits to do wankery such as this. Here, however, in a small, independent bar it works well, and it’s comfortable. It’s a converted shop unit, with a mix of reclaimed furniture and “stuff”. No food beyond pork pies, no gaming machines or TVs, OK music at a sensible volume, and great wine and beer- both cask ale and craft keg (including Goose Island IPA, tempting me away from the cask) and very pleasant staff and locals. A great place, withe the only complaint being “Dogs Welcome, no cats”, which is just wrong.
We’d caught the sightseeing bus up to Clifton, and had a wander over the bridge, and it was time for lunch, and The Mall was the first place we came to. Pleasant, too, and just about the right side of fashionable and cultured without being up itself. Good beer (both craft bollocks and cask ale), good food, good staff, and reasonable price.
Charming little seafront pub with decking outside offering views of the sea and pier. Some great real ale and craft beer/cider, inclding some unusual stuff. Friendly barman, and OK prices given the location.
Another place I’d intended visiting for a good while. It’s just past it’s first birthday.
John Bright St seems to be enjoying a upturn, with Cherry Red’s, and the ever popular Victoria nearby, as well as new restaurants. Brewdog is of course an outlet for the craft beer brewery known for it’s uncompromising attitude and great beer. It’s very near to New St if you’re travelling by train. I was sad to note the now-closed Crown following its sale.
Brewdog itself is a bit trendy for me (as I’m distinctly middle-aged), and the decor is like some late 80s-early 90s revival, all stripped back bare surfaces and exposed cable tray (and seats that were hard to get my fat arse into), but the beer was great, the staff friendly and helpful, and atmosphere buzzing for a mid-afternoon on a Tuesday.