The Half Moon, Bishop's Stortford

The Half Moon appears to be the most notable venue in Bishop's Stortford that has failed to re-open after lockdown (yet). This may well be because of its focus on live music.

The pub has two main rooms split by the central bar, with a smaller more intimate snug to one side although you can pass through here to get to the toilets. The site slopes quite steeply, so the rooms are on different levels. The upper room had wooden flooring, bench seating and small tables, a few pictures of horses, fish and a case of butterflies. The TV is in here, the 6 Nations was showing the Italy Ireland match. The lower room has no TV, background music was playing in here. There is an exposed brick fireplace, various framed random pictures and a couple of fruit/gaming machines. There is a beamed ceiling throughout. Walls and ceilings are white and looked freshly painted. There are eight handpumps, split equally either side of the bar but as they are not double clipped, if you want to make a choice you need to ask or walk round before ordering. The upper room had Directors, Bombardier, Crouch Vale Amarillo and Old Rosie cider, while down the few steps were Hook Norton Old Hooky, Deuchers IPA, OSH and Young's Special. The standard pub menu had most mains at £7.95, sandwiches £3.65 to £4.75. The "Savers Menu" has two meals for £9. Outside and down an external flight of steps were a few wooden tables in a courtyard that looks to be the old stables. Not a bad pub and the service was friendly and chatty, the beer selection is broad if mostly mainstream. The Amarillo was very good indeed.

An interesting, traditional town centre boozer over two levels. There's plenty of wood in here - floors, furniture, bar and optics shelves all of which adds to a traditional and cosy feel which is enhanced by a brick fireplace and pictures and maps of historical Bishops Stortford. There's an emphasis on music and a variety of evening entertainments are advertised most nights including the local ukele society. Six ales are offered including Bombardier, Deuchars IPA, Directors, Hobgoblin and London Pride. The only exception to the nationals was a decent pint of Woodforde's Wherry and there does seem to be a policy of rotating guests. With a little care on beer selection, the addition of one or two micro offerings and a broadening of strengths and styles the Half Moon could easily be an outstanding boozer. As it stands it's reliable stop for a decent pint not a destination pub.