The Swan at Newport, Newport

Walking in from the Swan’s car park I was met by a small room with an empty counter. I was a little lost, but the friendly landlady informed me that the bar is around the other side of the pub, I had actually strolled into the reception for the hotel. I found the L-shaped bar by walking through a room with a dartboard and a second room where the local’s kids had assembled to play on their technology. The adult locals were all in the thin bar where standard keg was available alongside Bank’s Amber, which was £3 a pint due to my midweek early evening visit coinciding with happy hour. A radio behind the bar was playing some music and the television was off. All the Rugby World Cup games were advertised, so no Sky Sports. I thought this to be a friendly pub, but maybe a little basic for a revisit.

Official site of The Swan at Newport - website--189222791726600504059-pub.business.site

Official site of The Swan at Newport - website--189222791726600504059-pub.business.site

Two old style front rooms, the one on the left with old beams and a possibly Edwardian screen wall, the right side is slightly modernised, a close look at the quarry tile floor will show where walls used to be. Both front rooms share the central servery. Four pumps with Banks's Bitter, Mild and Sunbeam; my MILD was ok just a touch cold. A few pump clips on a beam hint at guests although a number were from the Marstons stable. The screen in the bar had Songs of Praise on silent while a medley of 80/90s hits played on the sound system. The back lounge has a bit of a thirties Art Deco feel. Friendly bantering locals, there are the usual little items that tell it's a decent local, the trophies, the photos and postcards and the glass on the bar for egg money.