The Wyvern, Luton

Spent years reflecting the sad decline of the adjacent Vauxhall factory, and seemed to be crying out to be put out of it's misery when the plant finally shut...
But went on, increasingly shambolically, for years.

Last year, however, it went through a major refurb and now fancies itself as a quality beer and eats joint. Pity, since the demise of Vauxhalls, its out on its own in a quiet part of town; and prices are a little excessive, but a far nicer place to enjoy a pint than it was a few months ago.

10 Feb 2006 16:56

The Grainstore Brewery, Oakham

This place must be somewhere wonderful to get gently soused on a pleasant summers afternoon. We went on the balmy Saturday evening of the aforementioned Rutland Beer Festival, and the place was heaving - inside and out (unprecendented queue levels outside the gents lavs, let alone the ladies).
Still, the beer was magnificent, the atmosphere wonderfully convivial. The band, The Pulse, impressed by covering The Undertones and Buzzcocks... but surely someone should have imposed a limit on Jam songs.

Great pub which, one can easily imagine, would be lovely a little less lively (and without having to be deafened to A Town Called Malice).

1 Sep 2005 12:33

Silver Cup, Harpenden

Used to be really rundown but, following a recent refit, is now quite pleasant - and sells good beer. Harpenden has been on the slide recently pubwise, so nice to rediscover the Cup.

25 Jul 2005 16:54