The New Castle, Nottingham

Old fashioned two bar pub with grand bunch of character locals and staff. It has four pulls in the back bar where the pool table and door into the conservatory are. There are nice Art Deco touches remaining, like the stairs up to the toilets. Lots of trophies above a tiny fireplace in the back, might be for pool or community singing, it’s that kind of nice pub. Surprisingly he two real ales on were from Scribblers and Rufford Abbey rather than the national brands I'd wrongly expected. I’d like to try it on Friday or Saturday because I think it would be fab. The beer was fine and there’s other places near enough to make the walk from the city centre worthwhile.

The New Castle was for a long time called the lamp and is ow open once again after a period of closure a few years back and has been spruced up inside. Upon entering there are two main rooms, a lounge area to the on the first fight and a bar area further back on the right. Both area are served vis a centrally located bar that dispenses from both sides. At the far back wall was an open plan kitchen visible from the bar through a window with people washing up so it seems as though fresh hot meals are served here but I was too late to see for myself. The bar is quite basic with hard wooden floors and a pool table in the middle. The lounge has carpets and comfy bench seating as well as a few tables and chairs which is better for sitting down and relaxing with a beer. The usual keg fronts lined the bar but on the bar side there were surprisingly three real ales available. The line-up consisted of Full Mash brewery Wheat ear (£3) , Aurora Brewery’s big Dark (£3.20) and another I failed to mention. The wheat ears was kept ok and although a little under conditioned was a half decent drop. The Landlady is well into her 80,s and still runs the place so credit there and although not the best pub in the world it does sell cask ales and ones from local brewery’s that are kept ok which my a lot of Sneinton pub standards is a pretty big deal;. I wouldn’t venture out of my way to come here again but if ever around I know I can grab a good beer and sit in comfy surroundings, Ok but there are better around.