The Malt Shovel, Beeston

Small but fantastic Looking Pub. Open Plan works much better than the old (bar and lounge) layout all those years ago. Good guest beers on tap - trouble is they always seem to be "off" halfway through the evening. Plenty of Castle Rock though, which is consistently mediocre. Staff friendly but slow - but then again there are often only two of them and the place does get very busy. Went for Sunday lunch there and found the landlord to be very accomodating for the needs of small children.

Wed night quiz has gone downhill over the last year: Donna used to do a decent quiz every week, where you always had a laugh. Quiz now left to well meaning amateurs, i.e. one of the bar staff (who struggles, bless him) or the winning quiz team from the week before!

BEWARE: winning quizzers now have prize witheld from them until the following week and are "asked" to set the quiz the week after in order to collect their prize 7 days after. And if you don't (or can't) be there to set the quiz they won't give you your prize! Bizarre!

In 2o years of quizzing I have never known any pub to do this. Request it maybe but not demand that you host an evening of entertainment for them as a pre-condition of being allowed to have the prize you won 7 days before. And they are not particularly polite about it either (particularly the landlord). Shame as this used to be one of my favourite pubs in Beeston - still is, but not for the quiz.

6 Oct 2009 10:23

The Star Inn, Beeston

the myriad of little rooms give it a unique atmosphere and character. Can't fault it.

28 Nov 2007 01:00

The Star Inn, Beeston

Giro crowd in there on Sat tea time - throwing beer mats at people coming in. Staff said nowt. Good for a pint of wife beater if that's your thang.

28 Nov 2007 00:53