The Salopian Bar, Shrewsbury

This was formerly a Bikers Pub , the Proud Salopian before being converted to a wine bar a few years ago , it now specalises in real ale , 7 on during my visit Titanic Mild and Stout , Oakhams Bishops Farwell ,Darkstar Hophead , Stonehouse Station ,Wood Stanulia(i think) and Bathams Bitter , there is also a large selection of Belgian Beers (Bell Vue Kriek is popular , its a suburb of Shrewsbury) the beer is exellent and the service good , but its still a wine bar at heart so the atmosphere is not what it could be , worth popping in on the way into town

Shrewsbury has many good places for beer and ale lovers and I was particularly looking forward to visiting the Salopian given its numerous awards (it was the local CAMRA Pub of the year for 2008 & 2009). I arrived here at the end of a lengthy crawl so my usual judgements and thoughts may be a little cloudier than a map of bad weather. The place was originally opened as a wine bar and bistro in 2005 with the ales gradually added as demand increased until we arrive at where it is now. There are 6 (I think) hand pulls with a good range of Ales, mainly from smaller breweries, ciders, a selection of Belgian Trappist & Lambic beers and a good choice of premium draught continental beers and lagers. There are boards and menus to steer youn through what is available. The interior is still very much in wine bar territory with a modern feel, lounge furniture and dreary ambient music. The flooring is tiled, presumably as the place gets flooded when the Severn opposite decides to start leaking. I’m not sure the predominantly red colour scheme does much for me and, to be honest, I found the surroundings quite a disappointment. It is all well and good having the beers but the surroundings also need to suit tastes and I’m afraid this is one place that just doesn’t appeal to me. If you can handle the contemporary nature of the interior you will have a comfy night’s drinking here, if not, worth a couple of pints to tick the place off before moving on.

Wine bar style real ale pub , sounds weird but it works , 6 bells harry porter exellent

The picture is the Salopian Bar, Shrewsbuty. A detached blue and white exterior building with beer patio. As a more traditional pub lover, i would expected to hate this pub and i went in grumbling that the extrior was too boring and the interior to garish, the name should be changed to the Salopian - drop the bar bit etc etc. The interior was trendy, with a large central bar area. Thing is, i found i really liked it - the atmosphere was good, several real ales on. I had the Old Castle Rock, which was a quality MILD and other drinks included Dark Star. I have every sympathy with Jon Horton's comments, but i will have to go back. Its like saying i hate Lily Allen, then buying her CD.

Official site of the Salopian Bar, includes real ale list and upcoming events - www.thesalopianbar.co.uk

Official site of the Salopian Bar, includes real ale list and upcoming events - www.thesalopianbar.co.uk

All the pictures shown are of 'The Salopian' in Shrewsbury. One reviewer suggested that it is in Ironbridge - no pub of that name exists in Ironbridge, I know ALL the pubs in that town & this ain't any of them. Back to Shrewsbury. I used to work next to this appalling place & I wouldn't go there if paid to do so, I'd soon drink the River Severn - nuff said. Update - A friend dragged me in yesterday (15 July 2008) & I was surprised at the refurbishment. It is now much improved & the beer is better. But I still wouldn't go in voluntarily - too much lager. Parking is still in a nearby multi-storey car park.

All the pictures shown are of 'The Salopian' in Shrewsbury. One reviewer suggested that it is in Ironbridge - no pub of that name exists in Ironbridge, I know ALL the pubs in that town & this ain't any of them. Back to Shrewsbury. I used to work next to this appalling place & I wouldn't go there if paid to do so, I'd soon drink the River Severn - nuff said. Update - A friend dragged me in yesterday (15 July 2008) & I was surprised at the refurbishment. It is now much improved & the beer is better. But I still wouldn't go in voluntarily - too much lager. Parking is still in a nearby multi-storey car park.

nice modern pub good selection of beers a lagers just over the road from the river severn