Corner Pin, Doncaster

Tucked away down a back street close to the train station, the Corner Pin is an excellent traditional, street corner boozer. You enter directly into the main bar area where two distinctly different seating areas can be found on either side. The right hand side is bare boarded with banquette and low stool seating running down the far wall. Some etched windows, including a nice one denoting the ‘Taproom’, help to emphasise a very traditional feel to this side of the room which had a few locals cracking jokes at each others’ expense whilst watching some cricket on a TV screen. There are bits of brewerania and old photos of the town on the walls and a collection of pub trophies had been arranged nicely along the end wall. The left hand side of the pub has been set up as a smart lounge with nice carpet and upholstered banquettes. Some fake beams run across the ceiling and there is another etched window, this time indicating the ‘Smoke Room’. Some framed pump clips are displayed on the walls alongside interesting photos of the pub’s sports teams. I arrived on a Saturday evening and found the place pumping out fairly loud music, which was a bit off-putting. A small garden to the rear offered some sanctuary from the pop tunes and had some large umbrellas to provide shelter for smokers. Four hand pumps face you when you reach the bar, but a fifth is hidden around the corner, which the helpful barman kindly pointed out to me, resulting in me trying an excellent pint of Doncaster Gold Cup, as recommended by an old boy propping up the bar next to me. Other options were Cottage DB5 and Hurricane Ale, York Guzzler and Geeves Smoky Joe. This is the sort of pub you’d never stumble across without already knowing about it, so it’s well worth spreading the word as it’s an excellent drinker’s pub of the sort that long sessions are founded upon. A strong contender for best pub in Doncaster and a guaranteed revisit the next time I’m in town.

A traditional corner pub located down a side street but only a few minutes trot from the town centre and train station. Split into two areas (former smoke and tap rooms) which retain a feel of their original identity, served by a central bar. The pub hosts a pretty good ale range, five in total (beware the isolated one on the main bar!), with a local slant evident. My Porter Derby Penny was very drinkable; I failed to note my second and third (whoops) but recall no quality issues. A friendly atmosphere within, led by the knowledgeable and helpful landlord. The 1970’s interior is perhaps a little worn-down and could do with a freshening-up without sacrificing its essential character. Items of note are the etched windows, dart board, jugs hanging from the beams and a well-stocked trophy cabinet. Despite the location this is a friendly down-to-earth pub and was probably my favourite of the day (so good I did it twice!).

5 real ales and food served. Handy for the train station.

There are five hand pumps, four facing as you enter, one further round the corner on the longer side of the bar. There were three ales from Eight Sail brewery, which I hadn't come across before. I had Merry Miller for my first pint, a well-balanced and substantial bitter, strangely described on the pump clip as copper coloured: I'd have said brown. Later, after a crawl around Doncaster, we made this our last stop as well, and I had the Victoria Porter, which was also very enjoyable. This is an excellent little pub, friendly and welcoming. If you've only time for one in Doncaster, this has got to be the one.