Nag's Head

This famous, historic old pub is still going and looking smart. No real ale when I went but a warm welcome, home made beef stew and mash and friendly regulars, staff and landlord.

UPDATE MARCH 2019: CLOSED PENDING A NEW LANDLORD

Raglan Road

This one's for Ged Dowling who kindly recommended I visited this Derby Road boozer, and I'm glad I did. I hadn't been since it was the Hawksley and it was quiet on the Friday lunchtime that I went but it's a smart pub with great Doom Bar and a smart interior. Best of all there's a tribute to the iconic Nottingham based film "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" on the wall. Quite different to the Hand and Heart next door. This pub offers more mainstream beers and they were well kept. You also get footy on the TV as well as a great upstairs smoking terrace.

The Nurseryman

A typical Greene King pub - smart, modern interior, sports on the TV but a warm welcome and great IPA.

Peggers

Watch this space...

Six Barrels

I was lucky enough to visit the former Lord Nelson on its opening night, quite by chance. Having seen this old Hockley pub lie empty for years it was fantastic to see that someone had re-opened it and to a high standard. The beer and welcome were both great too.

Curious Townhouse

Another new pub on the block. OK, not a traditional "pub" as such, more of a city centre bar but it is in a classic building in an historic part of town. The Curious Townhouse is the sister bar to the Curious Manor in Trinity Square. Fantastic decor and they serve Home Ales Robin Hood Pale Ale in bottles at least.

UPDATE MARCH 2019 :  CLOSED, REOPENED AND RENAMED 2018

The Herbert Kilpin

Great to see the former Rhinegold restaurant turned into a pub. Tucked away on Bridlesmith Walk. Black Iris brewery run this place and the real ale is great.

Hop Merchant

A wonderful renovation of a classic corner Nottingham pub. Great Harvest Pale, great welcome and great interior decor. Give it a go.

New Engine House

Built in 1969 as a Shipstone pub on the old brick works site in Carlton, this type of estate pub is fast disappearing. Great to see this one still going ... complete with skittle alley team who were meeting when we arrived on Sunday lunchtime. They even thought we were there to play.

 

Bakersfield

Formerly the Tally Ho. New management and name. New signs. But otherwise the same. Although the Sharp's Atlantic was very nice.

Inn For a Penny

This pub in Carlton has character. They were serving chip butties and sausages for the football team when we arrived. It's smart, apparently buzzing on a Saturday night with a DJ and karaoke. And the Hardy and Hanson Best Bitter was great.

Westdale Tavern

A traditional estate pub, now owned by Greene King. Serves a decent pint of IPA, had a friendly welcome and was smart. But it's a chain. So you know what you're getting. TV is on, plenty of diners. Pleased it's going strong though.

UPDATE MARCH 2019 :  CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED 2017

Coffee Grinder

Here we have a classic Home Ales pub, reopened. Only, when it closed as a pub it became a coffee house. And now it's a pub again. And its identity sits somewhere between the two. Blue Monkey is a top end local real ale brewery so rest assured that the ale is of a high standard - the BG Sips was great - but the focus is just as much on coffee as beer. And the ambience feels more like a Costa than a pub. So mixed emotions about this one. Still, good to see a classic pub trading in 2016. 

Running Horse

Finally I made it to this classic corner pub. Still retaining the exterior green tiles, this is one of the last remaining pubs on Alfreton Road. It's a gig venue and looks like it; music memorabilia on the wall, a small stage in the corner and it's dark. The bar is at the rear down some stairs. 2 real ales on when we went. Both fresh on. The Black Sheep was very nice.

Cock and Hoop

Very pleased to see the Cock and Hoop and the adjoining Lace Market Hotel open again. The pub is just as it was before the recent closure - wood panels, wing back chairs and quality ales. The regular menu looked great but the Sunday roast was incredible. One of the best I've had. With service to match. We also had the downstairs to ourselves. Well it was January. Couldn't have wished for a better experience.