The Lion, Newbury

The Lion has a central L-shaped serving counter that supports premium and craft keg alongside Carling and a bank of four hand pumps found up each side of the counter. Wadworth’s 6X and Horizon where doubled up with the remaining four pumps for guests being unused. The bare board floored front of the pub has open plan seating that is faced by a fireplace on the left-hand wall. At the rear up the right is a carpeted seating area and behind the bar to the left is a snug. I counted three televisions, one of which was on airing muted live snooker while the jukebox played some background music. The rugby fixture list on the wall normally indicates that satellite football isn’t shown, but I may be wrong. I’m sure there’s a better atmosphere in here when the pub is busier than during my recent Tuesday late afternoon visit, like on a Thursday when the weekly ‘famous’ quiz is held. This feels like a solid enough pub and I like Wadworths, but I didn’t find the woman behind the bar to be very welcoming so I doubt I’ll ever revisit.

A one room, U shaped corner pub. Eight pumps but several were unused, I did have a nice Merrie City Crystal Gold to drink but couldnt find much else to special about this pub.