The Ambrose Hotel, Barrow Town Centre, Barrow-In-Furness

Surprisingly large place. Decent old skool front bar over two areas with pub carpet, fireplace, black fake beams, Britannia tables and a bit of banquette seating, though sadly the cursed grey paint detracts. To the rear is a more basic sports room with its own music, competing against the TV news in the front. Smell of unwashed old people in the air. Two cask ales on, both local. My Loweswater Gold was rather flabby but just about drinkable (NBSS 2). With a bit of effort this could easily be a contender as the basics are there.

Backstreet local towards the outskirts of town, but the closest place on my hitlist of Barrow pubs from my hotel. On my Friday evening visit, it was fairly busy. A bingo tournament was about to be played, which seemed to have attracted quite a few in the main bar area to the front. Others didn't seem too fussed by it. At the rear is another room with a pool table, which seems to be frequented by the younger crowd. A pool game was in action. The young barmaid was happy to be building up her muscles with a handpull when pulling my beer (the local Coastline Breakwater Blonde). My other cask ale option had been Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold. I sat in what I thought would be a quiet corner, with a large TV screen. However, repeated highlights of Barrow FC games turned into some kind of interactive bingo calling session on the screen. Although, I enjoyed my Coastline beer sufficiently enough to break away from my planned crawl and try an unscheduled return visit to Walney island to try to locate their other beer (Cormorant Porter).

More a locals place with one main room with offshoots left and right on entry. Back room with pool table and dartboard. Two hand pumps - both weak in strength.