Corner Bar @ Royal Hotel, Crewe

This is a public bar in the Royal Hotel, close to Crewe station, and just about the only option for a quick decent pint if you only have a short time between trains as I did. The immediate area is very dismal. As a pub it really isn't all that, clearly mainly a music venue, there is a stage set up to the right, large speakers and a lighting rig plus a board over a window listing forthcoming attractions, Benidorm's Irish Rovers and Polish women's night looked especially alluring. There are various pictures of musicians on the walls here and there as well as more gig posters. It really isn't very pubby, apart from the above, magenta walls, cheap looking light wood tables however there are some old features hinting at former glories still in the guise of ornate cornices and ceiling roses. A pool table dominates the area on entering, boarded flooring here then carpeted towards the bar beyond. A pillar, probably containing a former fireplace and chimney separate the two areas with a drinking shelf built around. A side area up a step provides a more private area. Surprisingly for such a place they have four real ales on, all from Salopian. Hop Twister (£3.15), Darwin's Original, Oracle and Golden Thread. My Hop Twister was fine after the barmaid had finally managed to fill my glass, why these northern beers need sparkler dispense bemuses me, it just causes waste, I did suggest she remove it but clearly that didn't compute. The four pumps did have shot glasses in front to show the styles, all so in contrast to the surroundings. About the only bet I found for a decent pint around Crewe station, most others were shut or real ale free.