Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/historic-market-town-pub-closed-11218690

The name does this charming pub a disservice,it's a lot more than a bar and would benefit from a reversion to it's original name of the Two Diamonds.It's a proper small town centre boozer in an old building with seating either side of the front door,an L shaped servery then a rear snug room with a large banquette.There is a real fire in the front kicking out a warming glow enhancing the atmosphere.The decoration is very well done by the landlady and the welcome from the barmaid was genuine and friendly.
There is a small covered patio in a courtyard and everything is neat and tidy.Thankfully McMullens have recently disposed of this pub to Punch ,meaning the dull Macs cask beer no longer spoils the offering which on my trip was Fullers London Pride and TT Landlord ,NBSS Good.The many keg taps are mainly multinational dross but there is a "house" lager and Mc Mullen Rivertown keg brews.
I would be happy to return,if you are crawling Stevenage put this on your list but note the pub doesnt open until 3pm.

A traditional looking, brick-built pub in a slightly uninspiring location perhaps, being directly opposite a rather ugly block of 1960’s flats, it’s not likely to get much in the way of passing trade but it is nonetheless just a short stroll from the vibrant Stokes Croft in one direction, and the Georgian terraces of Kingsdown in the other. Together with the nearby Hare on the Hill, these two make an excellent double stop, and well worth making the effort to get to.

Internally the pub is a U-shape wrapped around a central bar counter, with a small courtyard garden at the rear. Décor wise it’s quite traditional, perhaps even a little shabby in places, with parquet style wood flooring, a mixture of cream and maroon paintwork on the walls and attractive leaded and stained glass windows. The walls were liberally covered with an extensive collection of beer mats and pump clips, as well as a number of brewery mirrors. Seating was a mixture of wooden pews, tables and stools, whilst a red panelling at the rear was an unusual feature, containing further stained glass and an etched panel spelling out the pub’s name. A DJ console was in one corner which seemed a little out of place for the style of pub, although I’m not sure how often this is used.

Two days before my visit they had a joint tap takeover by the New Bristol Brewery and Thornbridge, so their beers dominated the lineup on this occasion with El Dorado, Bristol Bitter, Juno and The Joy of Sesh from the former, along with Kingsley Park, The Great Outdoors, Market Porter, AM:PM, Green Mountain, Wild Swan and Jaipur from the latter with the only other option being Kelham Island’s Brooklyn Smoked Porter. Overall, well worth a visit.

Craft Union pub festooned with Halloween tat to the extent that you had to admire the effort. Underneath is a simple old skool boozer that had the CU makeover crew in a few years ago to knock the edges off but the original feel is still in evidence. The Guinness was really rather good which was handy as the cask pump was being used as a blue roll dispenser. It says a lot about your town centre when the only three pubs are a Craft Union, a GK eatery and a Spoons!!

Impressive corner pub which I visited once many years ago. As far as I know it is now the Empress Restaurant. Not sure if you can just have a drink or not so I'll leave it closed.