The Vine Inn, Burton on Trent

A fairly plain locals' pub - two bars with pool and darts to one side. Slightly tarted up but mostly in monochrome which doesn't add to the feel of the place. It has one or two bits of etched glass of interest. Ales still Pedigree and Directors.

Claims to its age maybe true, but the pub is at least of Victorian origin. Marstons, half rendered and half brick, it is dominated by a front gable. It has a rear garden area. Two rooms. Aqualung describes the lounge off to the left. I went into the bar to the right. It was tidy, in white and grey, with nice bench seating. Old photos on the walls. There is a TV (daytime stuff) and there was no music. The service was OK, the locals friendly and more mature. Beer was the usual tap stuff with Pedigree and Lancaster Bomber (decent enough) on handpull. I liked the pub and was happy for a swifty here.

This is now a Marstons tied house. It remains a two bar pub with the lounge on the left as you enter and the public bar to the right. I went for the lounge as it sounded quiet and indeed it was as it was empty. This is a long room with a dart board, a pool table and jukebox. The TV was switched off. There is a small section of bar counter to the right where you can see through to the public that I assume is a similar layout and had a collection of locals in. There are three hand pumps on the public side which had just Pedigree and Lancaster Bomber. I went for the Pedigree, good value at £2.65 and it seemed to be OK. This is very much a locals pub but there are two much better ale options in Tutbury.