Royal Steamer, Chelmsford

The Royal Steamer has a well-trodden laminate floor throughout and a small triangular bar by the entrance in the left-hand side of the pub where limited seating is served by the central counter up the right. At the front of the counter is a step down to the larger right-hand side where a right facing counter serves open plan seating, including high tables with fancy chairs that run across the front wall. Televisions are found throughout, daytime TV was on in the left bar and TNT Sports the right, all muted with the jukebox turned off. There are two hand pumps on each of the counters, the options were Coaster Pale, Sharp’s Fury and another alongside Doom Bar that was off. The Fury was on the turn and priced at an eye watering £3.60 for a half, which was paid in cash after the unwelcoming landlady made a meal of finding the card machine. I’m sure the locals love it in here, especially during the regular Irish folk evenings, but as a visitor to town I didn’t appreciate being ripped off and I certainly didn’t feel welcome, so unsurprisingly I’ll not be returning.

The Royal Steamer is another backstreet corner pub, close to Chelmsford station. The interior is split into 2 sections with a central bar. It's a small place, that with only a few other patrons already felt quite full on our Friday lunchtime visit. 3 real ales were on - Sharp's Doom Bar & Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde & Maldon Gold. The Irish landlady is still in charge. She also greeted me with a little suspicion when I tried to take a closer look at the pumpclips in the room at the rear.

A street end pub which looks like it may be formed from a pair of old cottages, split level inside. At first I thought it wasn't open as there were no lights on or signs of life but the person I took to be the landlady appeared at the door as I took a photo and asked if she could help me. Well of course she could, she could get me a drink. Inside had numerous handpumps but only two beers were available, Landlord and Hook Norton Hooky. I went for the Hooky which followed its name well as it was rather hooky indeed, just about drinkable. The front area has a pool table, the area to the rear a dartboard, purple painted wainscoted walls, boarded flooring and regular seating. The décor included interesting framed articles from The New York Times about the Titanic sinking plus a write up of an old landlord together with his photo. Another photo had "The Royal Steamer", named Victoria and Albert from 1911. No signs of food at lunchtime and a very flat atmosphere, there was one other customer sat on a bar stool. The Irish landlady seemed suspicious and overtly nosey and seemed to watch me and even venture outside to watch me walk up the road to the infinitely more welcoming White Horse at the other end of the street. TVs had Sky Sports on and there seems to be an Irish slant with live GAA advertised. CAMRA recommendations on the wall outside but this place really didn't do it for me.

After the disaster that was the White Horse I came in here hoping for better but didn't find it. There was a very obtrusive pool table and all I could see on the bar was Landlord and Doom Bore so I walked out. I'll stick to the Ale House or the Railway where I ended up the next time I'm near Chelmsford station.

I spent a lot of time in "The Steamer" back in the 1980s when it was managed by Derek. It was a great Local but perhaps always a bit intimidating for new customers because of its small size and the large number of us regulars (But we were all "new" once). I'm pleased to hear that they have real ales on tap these days, so things must be even better. Can you still rent the rooms upstairs I wonder ?