Blackpool Central Pier:
Another family-aimed bar on a pier. The most striking thing here was the queue: there was a problem with the beer taps, and staff were struggling to cope. However, we got our drink (no ale, again) and sat soutside in the sun looking down towards the South Pier. Much the same, I’d say. Nothing to write home about, but not utterly dreadful either.
Bispham, Blackpool:
The only ale I got on our Blackpool trip. Some way north of the main attractions, but very near a tram stop, this is a lovely thirties pub, with some great features, owned by the Samuel Smith’s chain. I’d class the exterior as a bit more Arts and Crafts than Art Deco, but the inside has strong Art Deco touches.
There’s no music, no TVs, and no kids :-). Added to that, the prices are stunning: a pint of bitter and a half of cider came to £3.27, little more than the pint alone would cost in many places, and not much of an increase over a visit to a Sam Smith’s pub in 2008.
Blackpool:
Passed this on our first walk to the seafront, having taken the long route because we couldn’t see the short one in the dark. It’s on Waterloo Rd, just back from the seafront.
It looks like a modern refurb from outside, inside is traditional, and pleasant, but not prisitine & sparkly bay any means- but I like that. It’s fairly large and open plan inside, and gave the impression of being less of a tourist pub than many.
Friendly staff and customers: no ale, but the lager was OK.
Blackpool:
The bar on the South Pier. It sells itself as a family bar, and that’s pretty much what it is. There’s mixed entertainment aimed at the audience. In short, it’s just the place I hate and detest…
…however, in context, it’s fine. It’s ordinary families having fun on holiday, and as it was a warm night we sat outside and enjoyed the view over night-time Blackpool. It won’t win any prizes for beer (no ale…) or for relaxed ambience, but it was OK.
Blackpool:
It’s a Brewer’s Fayre, so a family feedbag blandfest, next to a Premier Inn. However, it was nearly 9pm, and we needed food and alcohol, so in we went.
It wan’t bad. Pretty devoid of atmosphere, of course, and the beer selection was the standard keg rubbish, but the Stella was OK, the wine OK, the staff efficient, and the food OK too. The pub exists mostly to serve as the Premier Inn’s restaurant, so expect children, but this wasn’t a problem.
Inverie, Knoydart Peninsula:
The remotest pub in mainland Britain, only accessible by a 20 mile hike or by boat. There are roads, but they’re not connected to the main UK road network.
I was a bit dissapointed, perhaps because of high expectations: the pub’s site bigs up the real ale, but there was only one on offer (which was fine, but not one I was keen on), the wine seemed a bit duff and while the food looked good, it was a bit over the top for lunchtime, which is the easiest time to visit, so we went to a tearoom for lunch instead. Staff were fine though, and there was decent lager.
Fort William:
First impressions weren’t doing it for me: I was expecting a sub-Wetherspoon pub, and inside was dark on a very bright sunny day (and no outside space, sadly- a couple of tables in the pedestrianised High St would be great) but I was very wrong: the staff were friendly, the beer was great (a choice of ale including a fine IPA whose name escapes me) and the food other customers had looked good, and this was the closest to a proper traditional pub we got to in the Highlands this week.
Fort William:
Fronting on to the High St, this large pub has a rear terrace with a fine view of the A82 dual carriageway Loch Linnhe. Ok, it has a view of both, but look up and you can shut out the A82.
There was ale, but sadly only 1, and that a dark one, so our stay was shorty than otherwise: staff were pleasant, food was good value and, joking aside, the terrace at the back does have a good view.
Mallaig:
We’ve had hotels on pubblog before, and the difficulty for me is deciding if they’re sufficiently pub-like: pure hotel bars don’t get listed.
This is the reverse: It calls itself a hotel, has rooms available, and the website lists a menu, but it seems they’ve stopped doing food, and this place just feels like a local’s pub: a bit rough and ready, but pleasant and lively. No ale, but decent lager and very friendly staff.
Mallaig:
Just down the street from The Chlachain Inn, this has a restaurant attached, but you can just eat in the bar. Again, it’s not that traditional inside- much less than you’d expect, but there was ale, great food (including curry!) and a friendly welcome. There’s a TV and jukebox but you can hear over them. Prices OK- food expensive, but that’s true everywhere in town.