The Port Vaults & Vennel, Lanark

Still the most basic and down to earth pub in town, this is, however, no longer significantly cheaper than other, much more up-market, places. Not for the first time, the bar staff had to be summoned from an outdoor smoking break by the regulars before I succeeded in getting served. Since it’s the closest pub to the railway station, I’ve been coming in here, on and off, for some time and the hand dryer in the gents toilet seems to have been out of order for about the last 5 years! The Vennel disco next door, which used to be a separate pub in its own right, is currently closed and up for sale. Not an attractive option by Lanark standards, but fairly typical for Lanarkshire in general.

This has now amalgamated with its next door neighbour, "The Vennel," and is now called "The Port Vaults And Vennel." It's probably the most down to earth, and cheapest, pub in this fairly up-market town. Now the closest pub to Lanark station since the hotel closed.