The Royal Children, Nottingham

I added this one to my list of pubs to do on a two day visit to Nottingham, after reading about the change of ownership, clientele and beer policy (below). It was gone 10pm when I arrived, following Luton Town's goalless draw at the City Ground. Some heavy metal was on the sound system, but it was otherwise quiet, with just two customers sitting at the bar and chatting with the young manager. There were four beers on the bar, all from local breweries (see photo) - Black Iris, Hollow Stone (Shipstones) and two from Totally Brewed. I tried three in quick succession: all were in very good condition, though the Black Iris Snake Eyes was not to my taste. I noted that three Dancing Duck beers were ready to go on next. The manager was happy to join in the conversation, and mentioned that this pub is now owned by the same company that has Six Barrel Drafthouse in the city centre, and its sister pub near the Victoria shopping centre.

Big big changes here, no zombies! someone has cleared out the undead, put in decent beer, started giving decent service, and the place is busy with normal people. Now a pub worthy of the name.

No frills corner pub, bench seating, wooden chairs and tables, mixed floor treatments. “Salt of the earth” type punters (or scrotes) rather than the zombies mentioned. Screens and constant music from jukebox. Bloody awful beer, they only had Bombardier on the two banks of five but obviously no one drinks it as it was not exactly vinegar but very infected with something nasty, vinegar fly I’d guess. Unsigned one way system in operation, I chose the wrong door to much mirth of staff and punters; the beer gods were obviously trying to tell me something.

A single roomed tatty mess. The pool table is the main feature. We were just about to do our Track & Trace stuff when I noticed that all the pumpclips were turned round, so we left it. I think 3 of the "zombie-like creatures" mentioned in Alan's review below were still resident when we called in. Awful.

Much the same as Al's review below - the main difference being that there were no Zombies present. In fact we were the only customers. Still had Bombardier and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. The pale was fine and the service friendly. I would call again but there are bettor options nearby.

Oh dear. It looks like it might be a decent pub but in reality its a bit of a dive. A single square room and a pretty tatty one at that. I could only see 6 handpumps and only Bombardier and Castle Rock Harvest Pale were your rather dismal choices. There were 4 or 5 zombie-like creatures in on my afternoon visit.

I really wanted to like this palce with its grand looking exterior and mock Tudor design it looks that it could be a very pleasant place to have a drink, unfortunately i was very much mistaken. Upon entering the pub you are taken back by how much the interior does not match the old school look of the outside, something which is credited to Scottish and Newcastle who did a very dis tasteful refurbish about fifteen years ago. There is one square room with a center left bar and loads of open spaces with very few tables or furnishings of any kind. The pub was stone dead empty on a Tuesday evening. Ten hand pumps are bar, five on each side and o sole harvest pale pump sat lonely on one side. he landlady told me "ive not served any ale today" which should have been a warning sign so i asked to sample the harvest pale which was not off but void of any care and attention. I politely declined to purchase anything and walked straight out. This is a great shame as i can imaging in days gone by this being a very good pub but through lack of investment is visibly dwindling. I wonder how this stays open in this condition but am aware that a lot of Nottingham forest hooligans/supporters frequent here on weekends and match days and it has a reputation as somewhat of a skinhead pub so maybe they make enough on a weekend to keep them ticking. I wont be returning.

The exterior has more than a hint of Brewer's Tudor about the main façade, and there are still signs of its former Home Ales ownership. However, despite looking interesting from outside, it has been opened-out to form a basic 'L'-shaped bar and stripped of almost all character within. Disappointingly, just Castle Rock Harvest Pale (£3.10) and Courage Directors from two banks of five handpumps. Shame, because it could be a decent place in the right hands.

Had a very good visit not like the one in the trip round the corner the girl behind the bar was very good and talked she was busy but could talk to us all who wanted to talk had 3 pints A must to call next time there