The Blackbirds, Hertford

Has had a major refurb and though it has lost some of its "punk" character it now works as a family-orientated food-let place in the day and a dance around the handbags outing on a Friday or Saturday night.
I was in there on Friday and although I enjoyed the stream of 1980s disco music I did wonder what the under 25s made of it - they made up just over half the clientele, whereas the rest ran the gamut from 30-somethings to the Saga crowd.
A decent selection of ales, including the omnipresent Doom Bar, and they've still got the Brains SA from the old days. Behind the bar are a load of taps for trendy overpriced flowery craft ales, but each to their own.
I went back on Sunday for Sunday lunch and it was decent, clocking in at just under a tenner for roast beef etc.

24 Apr 2017 12:48

Bay Horse, Stourport on Severn

I am not sure I would travel any great distance to visit this pub but I was up the road in the hotel and fancied a pint, so I popped in.
Ales on offer were Banks's bitter and Hobgoblin.
Staff were very friendly and helpful.
It's basically divided into two halves: one half is food led, and the other half is the saloon bit, though you can also eat food in here.
The food on offer is fairly standard pub grub, but cooked well and reasonably priced.
Furnishings are tired (should you care about such things) and the lighting a bit bright, but the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.
Shame about the TV being on all the time (BBC News 24) but at least the sound was muted so I could eavesdrop on the locals' conversations.

16 Apr 2017 20:52

Worpell, Ware

This is now known as The Maltings. I've not been in since it had the name change, but went in at the beginning of summer for a quiet read on a Sunday afternoon. My intention was thwarted by a handful of Chelsea supporters good naturedly watching the footie on the telly. I went out the front where the beer patio is, but it was in the shade, so I ended up leaning on a traffic bollard to get a bit of sun, with book in hand and pint in the other.
Barman seemed a cheery sort but the pub lacked for customers and atmosphere.

7 Nov 2016 12:48