The Phoenix Ale House, Inverness

Attractive semi-traditional alehouse, with a limited amount of seating distributed around an impressive island bar. Also has a much larger 'L'-shaped dining room to the side and rear, and this has its own separate counter. Six real ales on the various handpumps when I visited, ranging from the regional Highland Dark Munro (£3.60), Cromarty Red Rocker, Crofters Pale Ale and An Teallach Ale to the 'imported' Titanic White Star and Hogs Back TEA.

Official site of The Phoenix Ale House - www.phoenixalehouse.co.uk

Official site of The Phoenix Ale House - www.phoenixalehouse.co.uk

An old fashioned pub with a full island bar and lots of wood panelling, which seems to attract locals more than tourists. Kronenberg, Tennents and Fosters lagers and Guinness are all on draught. There are also six real ale hand pumps, although only two, serving Old Speckled Hen and Autumn Dawn were in use. My pint of the latter was very good value at only £2.50. The impressive collection of real ale pump tags above the bar presumably comes from beers available in the past. There is also an adjoining Phoenix Restaurant.

Also known as Morgan's Bar, The Phoenix is a traditional town centre pub consisting of one medium sized bar with wood panelling and wooden flooring, and a bar/restaurant to the side. Both are in need of redecoration, but somehow the shabbiness adds to its charm. There were only two ales on, both in excellent condition. The food was good value for money and the service was friendly, and the clientele seemed quite welcoming. I'm surprised that this pub isn't in GBG when there are other, worse pubs in the town which are. A decent town boozer, it's highly recommended for inclusion in a crawl, and it's a good place to get lunch.

Based on my visit, which is all I can do, I'd have to say this is an ex-real ale pub. Six pumps still in evidence but only one on. Interestingly it was Hook Norton Lion which I think is relatively new. They advertise real ales on boards outside at £2 a pint, which is what I was charged. Good price but I cannot say the same for the quality of the beer . I usually either send it back or drink it but I just left this one on the bar after a couple of slurps, a little worried about my insides. Would be more than happy if subsequent reviewers find good beer but I'm afraid I didn't.

A traditional old boozer that has successfully resisted any pretentious makeovers and has probably changed little in decades. It’s a single room bar with a large oval bar counter in the middle. Around the foot of the bar runs what appears to be a drainage channel which is an unusual feature, but may just be decoration I suppose. There was wood cladding on the lower half of the walls, and rough plasterwork above. To the right were some windows just below the ceiling adjacent to a corridor running alongside. This also led in to the restaurant next door which is presumably related to the pub, although appeared to be a separate entity. There was a TV up in the corner showing a sports channel, and a fruit machine opposite the bar. There did not appear to be any food offering in the pub itself, other than chip butties for a pound! Excellent choice of ales on tap, which seems to be something of a rarity in these parts. These were also available in third pint sizes, and two pint takeaway versions. There were six pumps on the bar although one appeared to have run out – the remainder were Summer Glow, Ginger Jock, Deeside’s Macbeth and Talorcan and Orkney’s Red MacGregor. Ciders were Strongbow and Symonds Founders Reserve.