The Red Lion, Aldershot

Well described below, the WiFI was working, the TV screen was mute and the locals were friendlier than most other pubs in Aldershot. Of the four handpumps, only two were working, dispensing Doombar and 6X, plus Old Rosie cider boxed behind the bar. The beer was OK, not on peak form but drinkable. They were also having problems with the keg lager, so I wonder if there is a training opportunity here for their cellar staff. The bar staff were quite welcoming, and I think I'd be happy to come back here or at least to include on a crawl.

A one time three room pub,now the two main bars now merge as one long bar area although the two entrance doors remain, one titled saloon bar the other Lounge bar, there is another room to the far right as you enter which is a lounge type area with no servery,there is an external door to this room but no longer in use. Red carpet on the floor and there is some intermittent dark wood paneling on the walls.There are four handpumps, only two in use on a late Tuesday afternoon visit,"Locale" Hogs Back Hop Garden Gold and Red Lion Ale, the latter brewed by Joshua Tetley & Son, I didn't try this ,Doom Bar was turned around and I didn't see what the fourth one was. The pub boasts a pool table,Juke box,a couple of wall mounted flat screens for live sport and a fruit machine.This pubs not too bad for Aldershot but I wouldnt go out of my way.

An impressive looking example of an inter war years Brewers Tudor exterior, this corner site squint ended pub has managed to retain a few original features despite having been knocked through into one continuous space. The "Lounge Bar" and "Saloon Bar" entrance doors remain as do the leaded windows, mock beamed ceiling and fireplaces in each section. One end has a pool table and dartboard, the TV had the early kick off Championship match on muted while music played, at a reasonable volume. Carpeted except for the games area, mixed seating but fairly comfortable overall. Three handpumps but unfortunately two reversed, the clips indicate these were Timothy Taylor Golden Best and Gales (Fullers) Seafarers. This left Doom Bar as the Hobson's Choice, dear at £2 a half. Food served but no one was eating at around 1pm on Saturday. There were a few tables to the front facing the car park as well as a better bit of rear garden. A bit of a disappointment really, it felt a bit in need of some TLC but this was probably one of the better Aldershot pubs I visited some years ago, the lack of a decent beer choice didn't help to impress me either.

Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionaldershot.co.uk

Official site of The Red Lion - www.redlionaldershot.co.uk