Brick & Tile Inn, Retford

A short walk north of the town centre, the Brick & Tile has left and right-hand sides that are served by a central cushioned wooden topped bar. The smaller left-hand side is a lounge with tartan banquettes under the front window and up the left either side of a fireplace that houses a burner. Sky Sports was muted on a television and the background music playing in the public bar in the right could be heard. In this bar to the right banquettes run up the right-hand wall opposite the serving counter to the rear where there’s a pool table, dartboard and more screens for football. Standard and premium keg was available, and one of the two hand pumps was in operation drawing Hobgoblin. The late afternoon crowd was older, but the pub had a younger person’s vibe, so I expect the demographic changes Thursday to Saturday. It’s ok in here, but I’m not sure the walk north was worth it.

A brick built pub on the main road north out of Retford. Two bars, one labelled Lounge and the other Sports Bar. The “under new management” banner made me apprehensive as it can work both ways, here I suspect its not an improvement in the beer at least. I ordered a half but the barmaid picked up a pint glass, when I restated a half please she stopped pulling at roughly a half, not a bad way to handle it. Largely a locals pub its small but comfortable. The lounge is smaller and quieter and has two pulls, Wainwright Gold on one, Hobgoblin Session on the other, not sure the Hobgoblin wasn’t “fresh ale” but I didn’t check. There is a screen in this bar but the pool, noise and more screens are in the sports bar bit. It has a beer garden but a strong smell of vaping was apparent inside.

An incredibly quick visit on a Saturday night as I needed to tick it but still had the Galway to do before I left town. The pub doesn't look open from the outside and you could easily assume its not and move on. I went into the bar on the right as you enter from the main road, 2 friendly punters at the bar watching the football on the television. I was in a rush so I grabbed a half of Holt's Two Hoots, there was also another ale on but I didn't make a note of it. As I say a flying visit that barely lasted 10 minutes, seems a decent little pub though and my ale was very pleasant.