The Rhinoceros, Rotherham

Absolutely standard-issue city-centre shop-conversion 'spoons with a long (and in places quite dark) interior. Usual furniture and decor, but the TVs were turned up slightly for some live football. On the plus side, there was a pretty decent selection of 11 real ales and ciders from the two banks of six handpumps, from which I went for the Kelham Island Aviator (£2.19) amongst a fair number of Yorkshire offerings.

This fairly standard town centre, shop converted Wetherspoons takes its unusual name from the first ever porcelain vase to be cast in one piece, apparently make by a local company and known as the ‘Rhinoceros Vase’. Sadly, this is about as exotic and cultured as this place gets. It’s a long, narrow pub, carpeted throughout, with the servery running down the left hand side. Loads of standard tables and chairs have been arranged in the front part of the pub, along with a few high tables and stools and the usual ‘Spoons history boards, which were considerably less interesting than those in the town’s other two ‘Spoons establishments. A row of standard seating is laid out opposite the bar and on the right hand wall there are some short, padded bench booths underneath nice black and white photos and plain mirrors. A partitioning screen partially screens the rest of the pub, which is essentially a featureless long seating area, which narrows considerably to the rear. Décor here is basic, with half panelled walls, more mirrors and photos and simple seating arrangements. A TV screen close to the bar was showing At The Races, which is my usual visual clue to suggest that a pub isn’t going to be up to much. The bar didn’t really brighten proceedings up a great deal either, with six ‘Spoons regulars (some doubled up), two guest ales, one real cider and three out of action hand pumps making pretty dismal viewing. I wound up with a pint of Acorn Blonde, which was surprisingly in excellent condition and I was also impressed with the barmaid who recommended it to me after my first choice (Pheasantry Pale Ale) was deemed not good enough to serve. A raucous Saturday evening crowd had gathered, boosted by football fans who headed here after a game at the New York Stadium, helping to generate a decent atmosphere. I was pleased with the good beer and customer service, but generally found this place to be extremely bland and looking a little run down. I thought the place was worth visiting if you’re trying to boost pub numbers on a crawl around town, but found it to be the weakest of Rotherham’s Wetherspoons trio.

The Rhinoceros is a typical looking Spoons shop cnoversion,the pub is situated on the pedestrianised area of bridgegate. Once inside there is a single room which is oblong in shape,this room quite a way back,the bar is to the front left,the seating is mainly normal tables and chairs,but there were a few american diner type seats to the front right. There was a decent choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Ossett Big Red which went down well on my early morning visit,the other beers i noted were Acorn Gorklova x2,Acorn Dr Rude,Chantry Mighty Millers,GK Abbot x2,Adnams Broadside x2,Marstons bitter and Hobgoblin. The pub was very busy on my saturday morning visit,the customers were useing a queing system which meant everbody got served in turn,i have not seen this in a Spoons in my area,they must be more refined in Rotherham. On the down side the pub lacks any natural light,apart from the doors at the front,on the up side the pub seemed down to earth with a good livly atmosphere. I was quite happy drinking in this Spoons. Pub visited 22/3/2014