The Quay Inn, Minehead

Called in yesterday and there were 2 clips of Doom Bar on at £3.80 a pint. Barman friendly. There was seating at both the back and front of the building, and entrance to a skittle alley from the back. TV on and posters showed live entertainment. Part set for dining.

Between the harbour and the town centre, on The Esplanade, is The Quay Inn, a large detached brick built building that offers accommodation and has something of the look of a large private house from the outside. As we approach the entrance, we learn that the premises has had a massive refit recently and that all bedrooms now have “moden decore” ( their spelling not mine ) This massive refit would appear to have also included the bar areas at ground floor level. A large ground floor has a dedicated dining room area on the left and a public bar style room on the right hand side complete with snooker table. The central area is the main bar area. The whole establishment has a lighter, brighter and somewhat more modern feel with a mixture of light pine wood flooring and carpeting, a lightish new looking wooden bar counter and back and orange / yellow painted walls. A prominent drugs sign by the entrance is somewhat offputting as is a Section 27 Direction to Leave notice in the gents toilet, which would appear to suggest that the pub, despite promoting itself as a family pub and hotel, is attracting some customers that it would probably prefer to do without. On my recent visit, there was a rather rowdy group of customers ( from the Butlins Holiday Camp ?) playing snooker in the right hand room who were clearly audible to customers in the well appointed dining room area. Beers on were Otter, Doom Bar, Tribute and Exmoor Gold and, most notably, a 10p discount was offered to card carrying CAMRA members. The Otter - £ 3.10p – was in good form, but I didn’t really warm to this place at all.

We called in for a couple of pints and had a very warm welcome. The Doom Bar and Tribute were both in top condition and so, according to my wife, was her pot of tea. Didn't try the food but the menu looked like typical pub grub. The pub itself is comfortable but the prices are obviously geared to the tourist trade and are relatively steep - for better value keep on walking to the Old Ship Aground by the harbour. Average.