The Mill Bay, Ventnor

A Victorian, though it looks more Mediterranean, pub in cream and stone cladding, with conservatory and patio, where a live band were playing. Once called the Pier Inn c1900. The interior has two rooms, which are in white and have a number of old photos of the pub and Ventnor. The front room is a bar, with a small stone fireplace and stone flag floor. The second room is more of a lounge with foody tables. The service was fine and the clientele mixed, with many outside listening to the music. Beer; tap stuff, with the M&B MILD not on and a decent Yate’s Undercliff on handpull. Sea-front pubs are generally a bit dodgy – more fizz and loud – this seems to be a decent enough all-rounder, trying to please a wide audience and I think succeeding – if only the MILD had been on – I specifically came for it – however, they do a real ale, which was decent, which was a good back-up.