The Geldart, Cambridge

One of the many side-street corner pubs in this eastern part of the city near the railway line, but this one is a recent local Camra-award winner. Attractive twin-bar interior, with both parts semi-traditionally decorated with a musical theme, and the link between them having a glass-topped grand piano as a table! Good selection of eight cask beers on handpumps with handles created from small instruments, with the Vale Black Beauty (£5.20) being in great shape. Notably efficient and personable staff too, so that's always worth an extra point.

Serving ‘innovative food’, this is very much a music-themed pub; museum wouldn’t be off the mark, with musical instruments and radiophonic paraphernalia aplenty; it’s also a Cambridge CAMRA pub 2023. Lots of the tables were reserved and laid for dining, no doubt for those looking to munch on innovation. There are nine pumps, suitably with pump handles fashioned from bits of musical instruments. I went for the Oakham Citra which I’ve marked as ‘nice’, the experience dented by having to part with £2.85 for the pleasure.

If navigating to this pub using a map on your phone, make sure it hasn't sent you to Geldart Street instead. Using your glasses even though it's raining might save you an extra half mile walk. I had arranged to meet a friend here, a GBG completist, and when I arrived - only 10 minutes late - and said in reply to his question that I would have a half of Hanlon's Yellow Hammer, he failed to mention that he had drunk this beer before and it is pretty boring. So much for revenge being a dish best served cold. To be fair, I scored it NBSS 3.5 because it was in very good condition, but if a friend said he was thinking of drinking it I would certainly advise against. Despite all this I had a good time in this pub, with its quirky hand pumps fashioned from musical instruments distinguishing it from any other pub I have visited or been told about. Unfortunately I had reached the point in this day's pub research where making notes had become beyond me, so that's all you get. Date of visit: 29th February 2024