The Antelope, Congleton

A town centre pub, opened out into one space with fake wooden beams. Bar counter on the left with two hand pumps - Wainwright and local Glacier. The latter was good (NBSS 3 or 3.5) and was topped up without me having to ask. Pop music from the 1980s and three darts boards. A good stopping point on the way into town from the railway station, but not one I would seek out otherwise.

The Antelope wasn’t that busy during a recent Thursday evening visit, but the groups that were in generated a decent atmosphere with the aid of the chatty barmaid. There’s seating in the window to the left of the central entrance, and the bar counter runs up the left-hand wall. Both hand pumps were drawing Beartown beers and a premium keg range was also available alongside Carling. A dartboard hangs on the right-hand wall in between banquette seating in the right front window and a large table that backs onto a small raised seating area in the right rear corner. Some background music was playing and couple of televisions were showing muted Ealing Comedies films, love a bit of black and white Sid James. A second dartboard is found on the rear wall in this well lived in pub. A decent local, but not sure it’s a destination pub for out of towners like myself.