The Commercial Hotel, Rainhill

Yup, ECLKWRIG, the recent Guest Cains was just undrinkable. (I thought that was just Cains as I am not a fan and confuse it with Jeyes) Yup, the Guests do taste a blander version of their full selves. Yup, supercat, it did look a bit pre-smoking ban, schabby chic over done, but it just had new decor and new flooring. Fair criticism. I like the "proletariat character", me and it still has that.

15 Dec 2010 19:38

The Commercial Hotel, Rainhill

Cracking wee pub right by the railway station in Rainhill run by two of the nicest licensees you are likely to meet.
Friendly, easy going atmosphere at any time of day or night where you can go on your own or with friends. Relax, have a reasonably priced drink and a chat with a complete stranger who just become your friend. Big screen sport, juke box etcetera but the "Comm" is also quiet enough for talking, especially daytime and weekday evenings. Really popular at weekends when it is standing room only. Quiz night from 9.30pm on Tuesdays. Functions catered for really well. Various great theme nights: St George's Day is a hoot and the World Cup Barbeques were great. This is the spirit of the Commercial. (I'd say something about "community" but the papers and the politicians have taken all the real meaning out of that word. This pub has plenty of the real meaning, I reckon.) Superb and friendly bar staff who obviously enjoy working there. Lounge and bar.
If you are a lager drinker then its �1.99 for a pint of Fosters.
There is some lovely real ale but if what makes your eyes sparkle is a plentiful rack of hand pumps all along the bar with all kinds of independent ales on then this is not that kind of pub. But you will always get at least one good, clean pint of Guest ale from a good range of breweries and in a good range of styles. This is addition to the Regular ales. Hopefully this will keep you going all night. My only gripe is that its only got limited real ale, but to my mind, this is a small price to pay for such a pleasant, welcoming and well run local pub. The bar prices are the best in the village, I believe, and people flock in.
The very decent chippy closes at 9pm, so plan your evening accordingly. There is also a good Chinese takeaway and two nice restaurants: Galleria and Kozi's within about a minutes stumble. If its day time then the village butchers is worth a look for Orkney Black Beef steaks to soak up the beer. And then there is the train or bus home if you are not fortunate enough to live here.
Cracking local with a lot of spirit. Just talked myself into rating it a notch higher than I did before. Enjoy!

15 Dec 2010 19:16