The White Swan, Newark

Visited this pub whilst staying overnight in Newark, we were looking for somewhere to eat and this advertised food outside and the promise of real ale... We parked in the almost empty rear car park and entered the pub as described by the previous reviewer... Very loud TV showing Come Dine with me to two folks in the bar other than a pleasant looking female who may have been a bar maid sat at the bar looking at her phone and a large guy behind the bar he welcomed us and then it all went down hill from there... I viewed the three pulls at the bar but saw only Doom Bar, so I asked for a Doom Bar to be told it was off... 'What ales do you have'? None!, but we have Theakstons Bitter, I declined and decided if it had to be larger I would have the Stella... He poured the Stella, the wife then requested a Gin and Tonic, 'there's no Gin! I forgot to get it this morning' (There is an enormous Morrisons Store right across the road it would have taken a minute to go and replenish his cellar!!) so she gave up and went with just the tonic. Anyhow we sat down and with the first taste I could tell that what I had in a glass was either a very bad pint of Stella or maybe not even Stella! it was awful and vinegary... on the other hand the Wifes Tonic was a genuine schwepps... enough said, we didn't even bother enquiring about food and quickly left them to their Come dine with me... Wouldn't dine with them and wont drink with them again either... Utterly abysmal pub AVOID

A strangely fussy looking building by the crossroads - I don't think I've ever seen a half-timbered chimney before. There may be a genuine old building hiding under all this display, and indeed once inside there is what seems to be an old multi-roomed layout. The initial good impression was immediately dispelled by the very loud TV in the corner that was showing a lunchtime soap of some sort. I was disappointed to see only Sharps Doom bar as the only available beer on the three hand pumps, but had a half nevertheless. Unfortunately this beer was on the turn, with a sour aftertaste that meant it was only just drinkable, and then with a grimace. I didn't want to spoil the landlord's enjoyment of his TV show, so just drank up and left.