The Loxley, Nottingham

It wasn't too bad in here but it wasn't great either. A long thin pub on 2 levels and the bar had 7 handpumps on. An ok selection of beers but nothing special on my visit. One visit is enough.

This former Hogshead pub spans Pelham and Victoria Streets and, despite its rebranding by Stonegate, retains the feel of a typical city centre drinking barn. The pub has a split level, opened out layout with lots of bare brick pillars and sections of wall that provide a feel of notional rooms or sections. The flooring is a mix of quarry stones and bare floorboards throughout and the servery runs midway down one side with a dark wood counter, a large angled mirror looking down over customers stood at the bar and a part tiled bar back. Large amounts of standard tables and chairs can be found opposite, scattered around the aforementioned pillars, archways and the like, with a tidy little fireplace to one side with a stove inside. Midway into the room there is an area with bookshelf wallpaper where a raised carpeted seating space with a large TV screen can be found, showing a sports show whilst music played quite loudly throughout the pub. More arches lead through to a space with lots of high tables and stools, with pastel shaded walls which in turn gives way to a series of lower, tiered areas where you can find a couple of pool tables and some more TV screens showing the same sports programme. The whole pub has that corporate feel that Stonegate pubs rarely manage to shake off and I found it really difficult to settle down as the place is anything but cosy. Thankfully, prospects for a decent stay were greatly improved by the ale range, which on this visit comprised Woods Parish and Shropshire Lad, Jarrow Swinging Gibbet, Morland Old Speckled Hen and Orkney Dark Island, with a couple more pumps left unused. I tried a pint of the Swinging Gibbet which was in pretty good shape and served by one of the pleasant bar staff team who seemed to have their work cut out dealing with a couple of customers who were a little worse for wear. This isn't really the sort of place I'd visit in a city blessed with some many great pubs, but the good ale range marks this one out as worth a look in passing. It would be a decent option for those looking for good beer in a lively environment but is not the sort of place to appeal to the traditionalist.

I had been recommended this pub as worth a visit, and managed a quick half before dashing for a bus. It was very busy and folk seemed to be enjoying the pub. It is very central just off the market area. The real ale I had was fine, a Pennine brewery beer, and there were a few others available too. Different levels and one I would pop into again when visiting Nottingham.