Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

Situated down an alleyway next to the Lion hotel this looks old from the outside but is very much a modern place inside. Open plan with the bar to your right on entering. Its all shiny stainless steel on the bar and though there are old beams and posts dotted around the tables and chairs are more contemporary. There was no real ale on on my visit but I was told that they do sell it. To the left of the bar down a couple of steps is another area and like the rest there are menus to be found.

Trendy Bar/Restuarant set in an early 15th Century building just off the historic Wyle Cop , previously known as the Lion Tap and before that the Trotting House , Henry Tudor is believed to have stayed here hence the name . The main entrance is off Barracks Passage , the exterior is half timbered , the Modern zinc bar is to the right , the older part of the building to the left which is dominated by a huge old brick fireplace which divides the room into a main area and a smaller cosier area to the rear , the walls to one side are wood panelled , the low ceiling is a mixture of some very ancient beams and a few more modern ones , decor is a selection of old looking Tudor portraits of modern cult musicians . Some stairs lead down to a more modern area with a wood framed glass roof , one wall is decorated with bright blue tiles and three large mirrors giving a light airy feel , this leads to the resturant and upstairs to the vaulted function room where live music is held , accoustic/classical stuff usually . Customers were a mixture of young trendy student types and older well to do 50 somethings trying to be 20 again , service was quick and friendly , usual keg taps and two real ales HTH the house beer brewed by Coors and a decent Salopian Shopshire Gold even if it was served in a Worthington Cream Flow glass . Its OK in here although not really my sort of place .