Red Bull, Stockport

Final stop of a very beery day. Little in the way of notes but I must have realised I was failing to type anything as I took a plethora of pictures, most of which have subsequently been deleted. It’s a substantial looking place which is also true inside, open plan but with distinct areas (or buildings? public and lounge, by the looks of it) with a nice tiled porch entrance. Robbies beers on the go and inevitably I decided that an Old Tom (NBSS 3.5) was the perfect nightcap, meaning I wasn’t too communicative on the train back home. Whilst it isn’t chasing a European Cup place in terms of the town’s stock of pubs, it’s a solid mid-table performer.

Official site of Red Bull - www.robinsonsbrewery.com

Official site of Red Bull - www.robinsonsbrewery.com

The bar of the Red Bull faces the front entrance whilst supporting four hand pumps that were drawing Robinson’s ales. There’s also nine keg fonts with a selection of premium keg alongside Carling and Strongbow. Directly to the left of the entrance is a small flagstone floored banquette seating area with a log burner in fireplace, that I suppose could be called a snug. To the right is a room with a pool table and dartboard. In the front left corner is a sunken seating area and up the left wall is a mix of seating. The transition between the old on the right and new on the left is very evident. I didn’t spot any televisions, but there was some background music playing. My visit was just before 22:00 on a recent Tuesday when the pub was closing up, thankfully I just made the last bell.

What appears to have once been a tiny pub seems to have spread out into the buildings either side. It's got some steep and worn steps leading inside where the bar is at the back of the central part. The whole place seems to be split into two levels with areas in each of the three buildings at both levels. It was fairly quiet on my Thursday early afternoon visit. There are five hand pumps but with two unused there was a choice of Unicorn, Trooper or Blonde James Blonde. I went for the Unicorn (£3.40) which was in good nick. I thought this place was pleasant enough.