The Dog & Bone, Lincoln

Old-school, side-street local now owned by Batemans. Retains a separate bar and a smaller lounge area on each side of the central servery, both with a traditional look (although the counter is obviously newer). Normally has a larger selection of cask ales, but just XB and Salem Porter (£2.20, half) available from the bank of six handpumps, together with a couple of ciders.

The Dog & Bone is a backstreet boozer found at the end of a row of terraced housing. The pub is split in two with a carpeted study like area with sofas and stuffed book shelves to the right of the entrance. The left-hand floorboarded side houses an exposed brick bar counter up the right that faces seating in the front window and up the left-hand wall. At the rear is a dartboard the was being used by the barmaid and the two other customers who were in early doors on a recent Thursday. The television was off and the jukebox was supplying some background music. A limited range of standard keg was available alongside San Miguel and I counted six hand pumps that were drawing Bateman’s XB, XXXB, Yella Belly and Jewel in the Crown alongside Wychwood’s Hobgoblin and Broadoak’s Moonshine Cider. The left-hand wall is plastered with old pump clips so I imagine the two guests are regularly changed. Yes it was quiet during my visit, but there was still a good atmosphere, so I came away thinking that this is a decent local.

Official site of The Dog & Bone - www.thedogandbonelincoln.co.uk

Official site of The Dog & Bone - www.thedogandbonelincoln.co.uk