The Beehive, Grantham

Attractive looking pub in a back street parallel to the main drag, the inside matches the outside being “unimproved”. A two room classic with a small bar on the right housing a pool table, banquette seating and a small serving length of counter. To the left is the main bar, L shaped with an almost separated room to the back. Three pulls on the tongue and groove counter, only an excellent Taylor’s Landlord served unsparkled on with Woodfordes Wherry and I think a Castle Rock beer both with reversed clips on the others. Banquette seating with cream walls, there’s brown tongue and groove where there’s no seats and cast iron fireplaces, chintz curtains and lots of old photos as decor, so all very traditional. There are a couple of big screens and a jukebox which was mercifully silent for most of my visit. A small outside drinking / smoking area is found at the back by the outside gents. A bit of an unspoiled gem.

The Beehive is an L-shaped pub in three carpeted sections with a central L-shaped bar area with a fireplace and an L-shaped serving counter that faces seating under the front windows. This seating continues into the front right area where there’s a pool table and a jukebox that was supplying some background noise while the muted televisions aired horse racing. There’s more seating in the rear behind the bar where lots of trophies line the walls. Standard and premium keg were available and the bar supports three hand pumps. One was unused and another was off which left Woodforde’s Wherry as the cask ale option. The other customer were all on lager so I decided to stick with the fizzy stuff. This is an old school boozer with a friendly governor and locals, but the slim pickings on the ale front may put some off.

Another Grantham pub stuck in the 80s, décor-wise (and nothing wrong with that, in my humble opinion). Take a moment outside to observe the unique ‘living’ pub sign – a real beehive, up in the tree outside. Inside, the pub is a multi-roomer knocked through a bit. Enter to the main bar with a room off to left and another beyond with a pool table. Red fabric banquettes throughout and third length dark varnish wood panelling too. Look out for the original 18th century sign behind bar and be aware that the gents are an outside dash. Three pumps with just one on; Newby Wyke White Bear Fine). Our visit was topped-off when a local pumped the jukebox with Chas & Dave, which seemed rather fitting. I liked it here. A couple more ales would really make a difference though, it feels like the sort of place that could support it.

Nothing special - locals pub with one draft ale. Didn't see the pool table.