Starting Gate, Colwick

Something of a surprise. I'd never been but always assumed it was a bit of a neglected estate pub hidden away in Colwick. But we were pleasantly surprised by how smart this Barras pub was, how busy and how welcome we were made. Never judge a book by its cover. The beer was good too. Football on all screens as it was the last day of the Premier League 2014 but there was a good atmosphere.

It's Inn The Bank, Netherfield

Obviously a former bank, this corner pub in Netherfield was lively on a Sunday afternoon in May. Football and lager sums it up. Good to see it doing well. Not for real ale drinkers though.

Willowbrook

Castle Rock's latest pub. Been open just a few weeks and still smells of fresh paint. A former members only club in Gedling. Great to see a quality local brewery opening a new pub. Beer is great, of course. Typical Castle Rock pub with wide open spaces inside but in this case a screen showing football. Not my type of pub ambience but good beer in a busy new pub that has certainly cornered the market in Gedling. Long may it thrive.

The Ropewalk

Smart, modern "Scream" pub with awesome ale. And decent food. A chain pub but at the better end of the spectrum.

UPDATE MARCH 2019 : CLOSED

Mechanics Arms

So pleased to find this place has finally reopened. I was convinced that this place would be sold as flats. Welcoming, good fun staff and regulars. And decent real ale. I had Bishop's Farewell. And the food appears to be awesome too. A great, old fashioned, unspoilt traditional city pub. Will be back very soon!

UPDATE MARCH 2019 : CLOSED

UPDATE DECEMBER 2020 : FLATTENED

Newshouse

It was time to revisit a quality old pub. Now a Castle Rock pub it was revamped in 2002. And I'm pleased to say it still offers a classic, traditional pub welcome complete with nostalgic decoration from the past celebrating beer and pubs and especially Nottingham and the history of this pub. Such things as Nottingham Evening Post historic headlines. The ale was excellent and the landlord was friendly and welcoming giving me a detailed background to the pub and other pubs of the same name across the city. Will be back.

Gooseberry Bush

A typical Wetherspoon's pub but at the better end of the spectrum of pubs. Good food, friendly service, the Ruddles Bitter was good and the ambience was decent. Full of students for a Saturday breakfast and popular with the football crowd by lunchtime but this is a pub I enjoyed spending an hour in.