The Ropewalk, Nottingham

A terraced modern pub and eatery. Seemingly inspired by an architect that specialises in railway tunnels, the lower half is in black and multi-paned windows and the upper in a grey ashlar block effect, also with multi-paned windows. The interior has two floors, both with their own serving bar. The lower floor is an open plan arrangement with two brick vaulted areas to the left on entry. The décor mainly sees green, green patterned wallpaper and purple/black on the walls on both floors, with a wood floor. There is a brick fireplace at one end. There are green and white sofas, large pots and twigs with fairy lights on them, twigs without fairy lights and lots of fairy lights scattered around without twigs, which, along with mixed art on the walls makes for a nice front room. There is a pool table. There was a TV, but it wasn’t on at my visit and the music was mixed and at a soft level. The service was fine and the clientele consisted of a load of studenty females that could model for England and a group of pubs galore people that could model for Wetherspoons. The place does a good priced food menu – 2 for £10 and so forth, but I didn’t eat so can’t comment on that. Beer; the usual tap stuff with Kelham Bud Elkins, Fyne Ale’s Jarl, Doombar, Belvoir Gordon Bennett and a decent Ilkley Stout Mary on handpull I felt old…….so old, but darn decent beer and a good discount for CAMRA members. I would return, but armed with hair courtesy of Just For Men and a Kindle under my arm

Another first for me to this pub and it was one that we really felt comfy in, as well as enjoying the excellent ale in dimpled half pint mugs, something we rarely see these days. CAMRA discount excellent too. Another to be visited in this area of Nottingham and quite a group of decent pubs serving good real ale make it an area to come back to. Our beer choice was Fyne Jarl and Kelham Island Bud Ekins.

From the outside this looks like any typical city centre bar,indeed the interior maintains that vibe,twigs and all.However there is an admirable focus on real ale with very generous discounts for CAMRA card holders.My Fyne Ales Jarl was outstanding and there was a good selection of other beer styles.Dimple mugs were the default option,another nod to ale traditionalists. The small bar is infront of the entrance while to the left is a seating area with large picture windows giving good views of the street scene.To the right of the building there was a pool table but oddly surrounded by sofas which must make playing a frame tricky when the pub is busy.I didn't venture up to the first floor on my brief visit. Clearly popular with the younger drinker,but worth a more extended stay to sample their interesting range of real ales,all in all a very pleasant surprise.