The Angel Microbrewery, Nottingham

Basic music pub with historic origins, retaining two separate bars and a rear room with a pool table. Decor largely old and new gig posters on the walls and ceilings. Nottingham Legend and two from Navigation - Last Knight (£3.65, and in fine form) and Pints of Peace from a total of six handpumps on the two counters. Good music and good atmosphere.

This interesting historic Lace Market pub, dating back to the 1600's, has a bit of a rock pub feel to it, serving the local community as a traditional boozer and live music venue. The pub is easily spotted from afar thanks to a striking exterior with a huge blue name plaque on the front wall and a mural of local author and angry young man, Alan Sillitoe. The pub is on two levels with a centrally positioned servery splitting them into two separate rooms. The large lower level room is to the left and has tatty floorboards, knackered looking furniture, bare brick walls and a smattering of patterned green wallpaper. Things have been livened up a little with the addition of some contemporary art pieces, collages of musicians, an etched glass mirror and various blackboards listing food options. Meanwhile, the upper level bar to the right hand side seems a lot more popular and has similarly worn features and shabby décor plus a juke box and a row of slot machines. To the rear there is a third room which is dominated by a pool table. An interesting indie/alternative soundtrack played throughout my stay and the bar staff and clientele were very friendly and good humoured. Like many Nottingham pubs, there are apparently a series of caves beneath the pub, but in this instance it uniquely includes a former chapel which has been converted and is used to put on live music, although sadly I was not able to explore on this occasion. There were four ales available on my visit which, having entered into the lower bar, the barman helpfully listed for me due to the lack of handpulls on this side. I plumped for a pint of Black Hole Titan which was very good, but can only recall Nottingham Rock Bitter as one of the three other options. This is an unusual pub that really appealed to me and I regretted visiting on a quiet Thursday afternoon, as I suspect I'd enjoy it even more in full swing one evening. The good beer and music, friendly service and interesting building mark this out as the top venue in the Lace Market area and I'd be keen to return again.

A proper scrub floor rock and punk pub with loud music and decent beer. I'm 50+ and never get any bother in here, if you don't like it, go elsewhere. Three large rooms, one with a pool table and lots of real rock memorabilia on the walls. This is not the Hard Rock or some similar contrived establishment dreamed up by a stylist. I was particularly intrigued by the collection of AAA passes stapled over the bar. Someone here has been a roadie I think? Toilets are a bit minging, but the ale makes up for that. Don't be scared, well worth a visit.