The Packet Inn, Retford

Sounding like a bad pun but I suspect its name is something to do with boats as it’s next to the canal. Oddly it seems to have sprouted a barbers shop on the front in I think an hideous extension. The main entrance is to the side, a vestibule leads left to a public bar with pool table and a couple of unused handpumps, while right leads to a public bar without pool but a couple of darts boards, above one is a magnificent collection of trophies. There's a couple of machines and piped music. Fellow customers gave it an air of God’s waiting room, both John Smiths Smooth and Worthington Creamflow were available. Otherwise usual keg stuff, my lager wasn’t in particularly good health. Plain furnishings of banquettes, plush covered chairs and wooden tables on cast iron bases. It has a beer garden out back with access to the towpath where there are mooring posts.