Olivia's Townhouse, Nottingham

My other half was keen to come here for a drink as we had read that the upstairs area has good views across the city, so we were a little disappointed to arrive on a Bank Holiday Sunday evening and find this area was closed. Having ordered drinks, we then took a seat near the large front windows and watched as several other groups came in and tried to go upstairs, only to get to the top and find it shut - many leaving without ordering anything. Putting this mild disappointment aside, this is a pretty underwhelming town centre bar. The interior is very modern in design with plenty of leather bench seating at the front and sofas throughout the rest of the enormous ground floor area. The lights were dimmed which gave the place a bit of a nightclub feel and music was playing at quite a loud volume, although not so loud that you couldn't maintain a conversation. Numerous TV screens were showing muted rolling news coverage and I would imagine they would do well in here if they were to show live sports, as it is well set up for big groups. It was pleasing to find a few ales on the bar, with Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Kiss Me Kate and Wytchwood Hobgoblin on offer. I was served a pint of the Harvest Pale by the world's most lethargic barman and found that it was okay but too warm for my liking. We did consider eating here and the menu certainly looked good value for money, but it seemed a little basic, so we drank up and ate elsewhere. I thought this place was missing a trick by closing a potential asset in the shape of their upstairs viewing area, but having said that, I don't think even that would be enough to attract be back here again. Whilst it's nice to see such a bar offering decent beer, I didn't think much of the place and would suggest that it is best left to those that prefer this sort of modern bar.

This is a replacement Fat Cat the original one was pulled down when the chaple bar area was redeveloped. This is a modern large one room pub the room is almost square. The furniture is modern style and most customers seem to eat in here,there were two real ales on the bar and i had a drink of Pedigree there was also Directors on. There are the modern style crome tables and chairs outside but these dont get that much sun. Not one of my favourite Nottingham pubs but ok for a quick half.