The Butchers Arms, Bath

Much as described by Blackthorn, below, though the pool table seems to have been moved out and there is a pleasant seating area by the entrance, partially covered, with astroturf and bench seats.  It’s a village pub, but not in the rural chocolate-box sense, more a locals' boozer and community hub.  Only one ale on, Farmer’s Belgian Blue, which at 5.5ABV is a bit OTT for a session ale.  A second pump had Stan’s Cider on, while the other 2 pumps were dry.  Fine if you happen to be here or if passing, but not a destination venue. 

A traditional pub on the main road through the village, it seems to be more of a local’s pub than a destination for townies and there was a good crowd in watching the rugby on a recent Friday evening visit. The pub is basically an L-shape with a small restaurant area off to one side. The flooring is mostly wood strip, with some grey slate tiles around the bar and carpet in the restaurant whilst the paintwork was a mixture of pale green and deep red. At the far end of the ‘L’ was a pool table and darts board and a couple of stone fire-places on the opposite wall, although only one of the two were in use which was a bit of a shame on a cold February evening. There was a plasma showing the rugby by the pool table and a second in the restaurant which seemed a little odd. It’s just as well nobody was eating as it had been taken over by the rather vocal sports fans and would have been less than relaxing for anyone who was trying to eat. Despite four hand pumps on the bar, the only available beer was Bass. Two of the pumps had reversed Doom Bar clips, whilst the fourth appeared unused. Ciders fared somewhat better with Thatcher’s Gold, Carling and Weston’s Old Rosie served from a box on the end of the bar. There was also no ice or lemon available for Mrs B’s Gin & Tonic. Not somewhere I’ll be rushing back to.