The Geldart, Cambridge

I hope they're paying the staff well at this backstreets music pub, with pints of ale selling for £5.60 - £6.10! The handpumps are instrument themed (guitar, horn, mic etc), which is an unusual touch, and there's a varied soundtrack to accompany your drink, which may be the sole cider, a craft keg most likely from Laine's, or one of the 7 cask, such as Tribute, Citra, Ghost Ship or from a smaller local brewery. The music theme extends to a jukebox and glass topped grand piano plus various knick-knacks like a reel-to-reel tape recorder. Nice pub, which I was happy to have included on my brief tour around this part of Cambridge.

Of all the side-street corner pubs in this eastern part of the city this is my personal favourite. As a self confessed jazz head, anywhere that is musically themed with reliably good ales,dispensed by brass instruments instead of your standard hand pumps, and pictures of Miles Davis and other Jazz greats adorning its walls firmly has me by the short and curlies. Another good visit here. Eight ales on the go with a good mix of styles and the Vale Brewery’s Black Beauty Porter I went for was in good condition. This is still right up there for me, so no need to modify my previous rating.

The Geldart is a music themed pub cum exhibition of musical instruments, including a very impressive glass topped piano that is being used as a table. Lots of stuff to look at, the musically inclined people in our group were very excited, and rightly so. Even the eight hand pump handles are made of cut down musical instruments! Salopian’s Lemon Dream, St Austell’s Tribute, Adnams Ghost Ship, Vocation’s Bread & Butter, Oakham’s Citra, St Ives Meor and Vale Brewery’s Black Beauty Porter were the cask options. I went for the Vocation which was well served by a very friendly barmaid. This place is well worth a look.