Bunkers Hill, Nottingham

Imposing pub which isn't quite as big inside as you'd expect. Inside there are bare boards and lots of Nottingham Panthers memorabilia behind the bar and along a staircase leading up to the toilets. There are a couple of TV screens showing sport. On our Friday afternoon visit, one large TV was showing skiing with an extra large one showing cricket. In addition to the indoor seating, there are quite a few outdoor tables overlooking the road. There are 3 cask ales - Thornbridge/Bundobust Galaxy & Simcoe, Derby Mercia & Shipstone's Original. Ciders were Lilley's Mango & Pineapple. Craft beers were Thornbridge Green Mountain, Beavertown Neck Oil & Gamma Ray, Wild Horse Bran Arthur, Burnt Mill Beyond The Firs, Neon Raptor Heart Breakers, Dream Maker & Love Taker & Northern Monk Faith. Old Mout & Aspall's were the keg ciders. There is a 15p a pint discount for CAMRA card holders, not valid for halves.

After a large refurbishment Bunkers Hill has re opened. Once inside there is one large open plan room with a bar to the right but is a lot smaller inside than the outside suggests. The refurbishment has been extensive and incorporates a modern bare wood/plain metal style that is all the range but is too modern for my liking but does look very presentable. On the bar are ten craft keg options and five hand pulls. Doombar is a regular at £3.10 with the rest changing and usually incorporating micro brews. On my visit it was a Fullers takeover night showcasing their beers and all that were tried were kept in a very good condition including pride (£3.30) and HSB (£3.50). This pub could best be described as one of the new breed of real ale/craft beer pubs that appeal to a younger trendier customer which i do not like as much but the beer is of a good quality and i would return if around these parts.

Official site of Bunkers Hill Inn - www.bunkershillnottingham.co.uk

Official site of Bunkers Hill Inn - www.bunkershillnottingham.co.uk

A large detached corner pub, with patio area. A former bank, it is in Victorian/Edwardian red brick, with copious stone work in a slightly neo-classic style (pilasters and pediments for example). Allegedly, it takes its name from a former local lane and pub, which may in turn come from the battle in the American War of Independence. The interior as a single room (although there appeared to be a room upstairs judging by the number of people that used the stairs. The main room has chcolate, patterned wallpaper and wood panel walls, with a wood floor. There is a little fireplace with a mirror above, but otherwise is a little plain (apart from the chandeliers). High tables and and chairs are juxtaposed with standard ones and a sofa or two to provide some furniture mix. They do food - indeed, they are quite famous for their pizza, which alas, had ran out when we sought to order. There are TVs, which were shoing the footy and 20/20 cricket and there was no music. The service was ok, and there was a mixed clientele. Beer; usual stuff with continental/US lagers and Magpie Thieving Rogue, Pedigree, Everard's Euinox, Ossett Amber Gambler, Robinson's Elbow and Notts Brewery's Sir Blodeville on handpull - the Ossett and Blod were fine. A little too modern for me, but a great choice of beer and one certainly to revisit.