The Old Library, Leamington Spa

As others have noted, this is a cut above your standard 'spoons and you could easily fool yourself into believing that this is a standard boozer. Helped by the imposing exterior, wood panelling inside and the pub being split into three distinct areas it isn't the usual open plan drinking barn. Unlike previous reviewers we found service to be reasonably swift and efficient with a polite "be with you shortly" when busy serving others. We were fortunate to visit during a 'spoons beer festival so found a wide range available on the 10 hand pumps: Thwaites Coiled Spring, Burton Top Dog Stout, Wharf Black Geld, Acorn Black Oak, Hildegards Solange, Caledonian Leith IPA, Tring Colleys Dog and Ruddles Best. We tried a few and it was all in good condition. I'd always have a look in if in Leamington to see what's on.

A very good conversion to a 'spoons incorporating two adjoining building and the interior space splits over four gently rising levels.The wood panelling gives a classy feel ,there is some interesting furniture and a definite pub atmosphere.The bar is quite modest and there are two ranks of five handpumps in two rooms so it is worth wandering to both sets to see what's on.My trip coincided with a 'spoons beer festival and both my Acorn Black Oak,Port Leith IPA and Hildegard's Solange were well kept. Over two visits to the Royal borough,this place produced some of the most interesting real ale,so it's should always be on the list for a visit.One of the better 'spoons and deserving of it's 2014 GBG listing.

Very nice building tastefully converted from the Theatre Royal by JDW. It was obviously once 4 rooms with the small front room being used as a snug by several of the regulars on our 2 visits. The rear room has an eclectic mix of furniture with the rest being standard JDW tables & chairs. The beer festival was on during our visits and there were 5 of the festival beers on although there were a couple of "coming soon" clips as well. Service was a bit patchy, whenever the duty manager got involved everything slowed down! We had breakfast here on one day as well which was decent, but once again the service was slow (the manager was there). It's a good JDW that due to the smaller than normal areas has a good atmosphere.