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.

The New Castle

Formerly The Lamp. This was an unexpected surprise ... the reopening of a Sneinton pub that closed in 2013. Taken over by the landlady of The Castle next to the ice arena. I had high hopes for this. And although I left disappointed I want to be positive and say how great it is to see classic old pubs like this reopen as pubs and not flats. It's still being worked on so will improve. Real ale wasn't to my taste but still good to see it back open.