Brewhouse & Kitchen, Milton Keynes

A modern and fairly typical Lloyds Number One bar in the heart of what Milton Keynes rather euphemistically calls it’s Theatre District. Sandwiched between a Zizzi and a Slug & Lettuce, that immediately gives you a fair idea of the type of establishment and it’s target clientele. Architecturally it does at least have some interesting curves. The main bar area has a highly polished wood floor, with a long, wood panelled bar counter on the left, some further wood panelling on the lower part of the walls with reddish brown paintwork above. The exposed joists and rafters of the floor above make up the ceiling. At the back is a small snug, although this only has room for four leather arm chairs and a low table. Next to this is a large, circular room which looks to be primarily the dance floor, with a small DJ booth on one side. There is a giant glitter ball on the ceiling, surrounded by an equally large lighting rig. The walls here are entirely wood clad, and there are also full height, dual aspect windows. Upstairs is another carpeted bar, this time with mustard yellow paintwork, and plenty of seating. There are a few plasmas dotted throughout the pub, and some fairly chunky looking speakers, although thankfully the volume was no more than background level on a recent (early) evening visit. Food is typical Wetherspoon fayre, although with their curry deal at £4.59 you can’t really go wrong. Less successful was a Sticky Toffee Pudding (made to a genuine Cumbrian recipe, apparently), although at £1.99 it would be churlish to complain. Bar staff seemed friendly and helpful. Beer choice was a little disappointing for a Wetherspoon’s, with just Ruddles Best, Adam Henson’s Rare Breed from Butcombe (that’s a new one on me) and something called Kalamuzoo Black Silk which is apparently a oatmeal porter brewed exclusively for JDW in the US. Ciders fared no better, with Strongbow being the solitary offering. There was a tap for Thatcher’s Gold, but unfortunately this had sold out. Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of Strongbow left.