The Odd One Out, Colchester

Three rooms, off right is a comfy red and cream interior with an early 80s refurb feel; red carpet, curtains and log fire set out over a skew horseshoe-shaped interior. The main bar is a fairly spartan affair with wood flooring and padded bench seating; a garish child-like full wall painting about the Romans was off to the left. There’s also a room behind which I forgot to look at. Eyebrows raised to see it’s a ** CAMRA heritage listed place, they must have a good magnifying glass. Of more value was the amusing bog art (see pic). A sketchy hippy barman presiding over four cask and some boxed ciders, my first choice spluttered and died but the replacement of Colchester Metropolis was in good shape (NBSS 3.5) which makes its GBG listing easily justified. Like a number of Colch pubs, this one doesn’t open until late afternoon on weekdays. 7.5

Interesting old pub in three parts: firstly the plainly decorated and furnished lounge as you enter, then the rustic bar with a mural at the end and another small seating area (but with a large fireplace) round the corner. With six of seven handpumps in operation, three Colchester beers were available - Number One, Metropolis and London Porter (£3.50) - plus the same number of guests from Cotleigh and a couple breweries new to me (Magpie and Parkway). Eight boxed ciders also available. Well worth the short walk from the Town station, but note the 16:30 opening on Mondays to Thursdays.