The Dandy Lion, Lincoln

Describing itself as an "urban local", this is a somewhat upmarket place and quite tastefully decorated and furnished . It still has a table service ethic and was still bereft of customers in early afternoon. On handpump were Old Speckled Hen and Banks's Sunbeam, with a few mainstream craft from Beavertown, Brixton etc. on tap. In the right circumstances I would be quite happy to spend some time here, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

Now rather more blue than in the latest pictures and when lit up at night bluer still. You enter though door that looks like a garage at the right hand side of the pub. It's narrow, but goes back a long way and has a large beer garden at the rear. There's a lounge area at the front with some comfy chairs and further seating areas to the right and at the rear. Now the bad news, they're STILL doing table service only which means that it was dead as a post, the only pub that we visited that is still persisting with this and also the only one that was empty. Three handpumps on the bar, with two on, I had a pint of St Austell Tribute, which was in decent nick, the other was so boring I can't remember what it was. Some guys came in whilst we were there and asked for 2 Old Fashioneds, the barmaid said they didn't have any, so they're selling ready made cocktails from a small bottles. She didn't even know how to make one. This could be a very good pub, but they need to stop the table service, it's a pain.

Now called the Dandy Lion - see picture. What looked like dossers in the doorway on the way in, but they turned out to be punters - not the best start! One large room with bar to the left and a rear room with a TV. Also a beer garden. Not a good selection of ales, unfortunately, so I doubt I'll be back.