Robin Hood, St Albans Central, St. Albans

An excellent drinkers' pub with 3 cask ales and 10 or so ciders on. Harvey's Best is a regular brew but the others change often. The pub itself has suitably random furnishings and various attractions, including table skittles, a piano and a great repro vintage jukebox, although sadly this was out of use. There is a lovely garden at the back. It impressively opened right on the dot of midday and we had a nice chat with the landlord and barman. I would be happy if this was my local.

This tidy, single room boozer has a great location close to the station and has become a well respected alehouse in recent years thanks to its commitment to providing a good cask ale range. The pub is split into a bare boarded front bar and carpeted rear lounge bar, but there's no partitioning between these two areas, so the interior essentially comprises one long, continuous space. The modern laminate flooring to the front, combined with bright lighting and plain painted walls, make this a bit of a sterile feeling space, which is a shame, as there are some nice bulls eye windows in a wide front bay, and dark wood beams lined with pump clips, which could make it feel more homely in the right circumstances. High tables and stools to the front and low stools with small round tables through the middle supply the main seating options, with the bar occupying a central position on the left-hand wall. A nice stone fireplace to the right on entry, was lit during my visit, with a bookcase full of Good Beer Guides next to it. Further back, opposite the bar, is an ancient looking Multi-Music jukebox full of 80s pop hits. The bar has a plain panelled counter front, pump clip lined canopy and dull modern bar back. Moving through to the rear space, you find some simple configurations of tables and chairs, with a TV showing live rugby to one side, above an upright piano, with large doors to the rear seemingly leading out to an unexplored garden. There's a mix of old local photos and contemporary art on the walls, plus shelves with whisky boxes and a few bits relating to Disney's Robin Hood movie. On the bar, three ales were available - Wantsum UXB?, Harvey's Sussex Best and Ossett Rat White Rat. I took a pint of the latter, having not seen this beer on my travels for several years, and thought it was in great shape. The staff were all really friendly and there was a nice Saturday evening ambiance of the sort you'd expect from a good alehouse. I was a bit unsure about this place at first especially when I sat down in the slightly bland, uninspiring front bar, but the great beer, convivial atmosphere and excellent service convinced me that this is one of St Albans' top pubs and I expect I will find it difficult to walk past on my way to or from the station the next time I'm in town. Date of visit - 27th January 2024

Another pub close to St Albans City railway station, I last visited the Robin Hood in 2018 on a busy Saturday afternoon when locals were watching the rugby. This time, on a Friday afternoon with no sporting events, it was much quieter with just a handful of locals propping up the bar. There is a wide area at the front, before the room narrows to make way for the bar, before widening out again at the rear, where a larger space overlooks a garden. The pub is a regular in the Good Beer Guide and has previously been the local CAMRA pub of the year. Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter is the regular beer. Guests on for our visit were Greene King Abbot & Tring Pearly Pale. To the side of the bar is a large selection of boxed ciders - Weston's Rosie's Pig & Old Rosie, Sandford Orchards Devon Red, Devon Mist & Slack Ma Girdle, Abrahall's Lily The Pink, Snail's Bank Orchard Dry & Pig Squeal, Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley, Kent Cider Company Greenhorn, Lilley's Cherries and Berries & Rich's Farmhouse Medium was the range. The cider selection is certainly impressive and probably explains why the pub is current Cider Pub of the Year. However, there was nothing I hadn't had before. So, I opted for the Pearly Pale, which was a decent beer. One of the best pubs in St Albans, especially for cider drinkers, but with only one slightly unusual beer, I'll keep my score to a 7/10.

A mid terrace pub,opened out inside with a large bay window to the front,below which are a set of high tables with pine flooring.Going back into the building there is a juke box,a table skittles game and an upright piano before a carpeted rear extension with french windows onto the beer garden. A flatscreen was showing an FA cup game ,while the welcome from behind the bar was friendly. Pump clips on the wall shows an ale rotation policy and on my trip the three handpumps were offering Harvey's Sussex Best,Wadworth Horizon and Wantsum Hurricane (decent,NBSS 3.5). Worth popping in ,the interior is tidy if rather clinical yet I had a decent pint.

A single roomed traditional pub within striking distance of the train station, carpeted floor and practically furnished with sensible height tables and chairs. Three handpumps with some steady journeyman beers on, my Harveys Sussex Best was in decent form, nothing special but decent enough.

Must have walked pas this several times over the years and not ventured in but the entry in the 2018 Good Beer Guide meant it had to be checked out. Three ales on - Sussex Bitter, Long Blonde and a never seen before Black Sheep Rye Mild. And I've been to Yorkshire. It was that I settled on and it was in great condition. If I could change one thing? Fit dimmer switches. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2x7wj5w