Market Tavern, Preston

A solid city pub, unsurprisingly close to the market and well described below. The ale range was a little boring given the ale range available in Preston, but my pint of Black Sheep was in decent nick.

The Market Tavern is a traditional pub with a curved L-shaped bar that supports three handpumps on the section facing the entrance and another three down the right hand side. Two handpumps were unused, which left Black Sheep’s Monty Pythons Holy Grail, Old Mill Brewery’s Styrian Wolf. John Smiths and Weston’s Old Rosie Cider as the cask options. There is also a standard and premium keg range and at the end of the bar is a heated pie cabinet. The front of the pub is carpeted with banquette seating being found either side of the entrance, with the right side being raised. Further along the right wall are a couple of large booths with ornate wooden features. During my recent Friday afternoon visit there was some background music playing and the televisions were showing muted World Championship Snooker. The service was polite and I didn’t really understand why there were only two other customers as I thought this was a solid pub.

Facebook page of Market Tavern - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Market Tavern - www.facebook.com

A good traditional town centre pub retaining some heritage features such as the very pleasant seating booths and decorative screens. An OK ale range for my visit and three ales and a cider were on the six available hand pumps. Alongside the dreaded John Smith’s smooth were Old Mill Brewery Styrian Wolf bitter, and Black Sheep’s Monty Pythons Holy Grail Ale plus a cider. A decent enough traditional pub for a pint in central Preston, especially if you can get one of the two private booths on the right hand side as we did.

A good solid town pub which has moved with the times just enough to not feel like a museum piece, while retaining some heritage features alongside more modern additions. There is an interesting 'window' in the floor revealing the cellar. On handpump were Old Mill Bitter, Holy Grail and John Smith's Smooth, plus a cider.

Nice plush market side pub with leather benches

I'm not sure what the pub gains by being called Market Tap instead of Market Tavern, but it is worth a visit under either name. The interior had had some restoration or renovation done - the booth seating and screens are recent additions, I am told - and it's looking good. The bar features six hand pumps, and what I hope was a temporary bad smell in its vicinity. Once seated away from the bar we had an enjoyable and pleasant visit, and mine wasn't the only beer in good condition: one or two of my drinking companions exclaimed at how good the John Smiths Cask was. Date of visit: 23rd August 2019