Nags Head, Macclesfield

Traditional Robbos pub opened out into a single main room with a dining/function room at the back and pool table in an alcove to the side. It was quiet when I arrived at early doors with the fairly miserable guvnor chatting to a couple of old blokes, when they left he turned the juke box back on and the place was overfilled with music until he turned the volume down. The L shaped counter is at the rear left with four pulls and a selection of T-Bars and solos, a couple located by a small serving hatch accessed from the back room. The casks were Unicorn (ok), plus Dizzy Blonde and Trooper, blank on number four. A couple of screens, one seems to be used only on major sporting occasions or perhaps only Manchester footy games, the other was on corporate adverts and notices of forthcoming live music at the pub. Nice geometric tiling in the entrance, some basic but original architrave, picture rail, dado, deep skirting and a proper carpet, a mix of traditional furniture with banquettes and lower chairs and stools at tables. Music, Man U and pub memorabilia forms the decor, the walls are in traditional red with cream above.

The Nags Head has a small U-shaped bar counter against the rear wall that supports standard keg, Birra Moretti and four hand pumps. This is a Robinson’s pub so the three pumps in operation were drawing Dizzy Blonde, Trooper and Unicorn. There are two pool tables and the dartboard at the rear was hosting Monday night darts league. The televisions throughout were all showing muted football whilst some background music played off the jukebox. There was a decent atmosphere, but it would have been dead if the darts team was playing away.

Robbie's pub by the station. The inside is fairly tidy, two tone green and red carpet with a traditional dark wood bar. Let down by being gloomy, half the pub was in darkness on a grey wet day, who the chuff would want to be here and pay pub prices? Turns out me, a stereotype Northerner and an animated guy who sounded Swedish. Three cask, my Dizzy Blonde was a bit flat but ostensibly fine (NBSS 2.5). If they can’t afford / be arsed to switch the lights on, they’ll be out soon enough. Shame, as the fabric of a good pub is in place. 5.5

Made famous by The Macc Lads seminal song " Charlotte",this was a major surprise.It's a fine looking red brick building,which Robinsons have cared for and there is much to admire inside.Carpeted with fitted bench seating either side of the mosaic tiled entrance,the wood panelled bar is attractive and three sided ,with the back lounge having a stage for the regular live acts ,including the Manc Lads tribute band.There is a fine staircase,a seperate pool and darts section and very attractive porcelain gents with photos of classic motorbikes,a theme in the rest of the pub.The ceiling mouldings are attractive and it certainly feels smart for a live music pub. There are 4 handpumps offering Robinsons Trooper,Cambrian Way and Unicorn in decent nick. Sadly the biggest slag in Macc was nowhere to be seen on my Wednesday afternoon visit,and I can only imagine a more earthy atmosphere would appear on Saturday music nights. Worth a look around if crawling the real ale outlets.