Jessie Boot, Nottingham

The dreaded signage outside proclaiming that this is a “Craft Union Free House” tells you all you need to know without bothering to go inside. But for Pubs Galore research purposes I did although I could have written the description without bothering. One open plan room revolving around a central bar with the usual fizzy draft options only. A pool table and one end, a dart board at the other, copious flat screen TV’s everywhere including a couple of individual ones for the booth seating opposite the bar. I had a half of something wet and fizzy and got out as quick as I could to the Pottle which was fortunately just around the corner.

Official site of Jessie Boot - jesse-boot.craftunionpubs.com

Official site of Jessie Boot - jesse-boot.craftunionpubs.com

The sad demise of the Greyhound with its extensive live rock music programme and real ale on the bar has been replaced by a bland sports bar selling Carling and John Smiths. I have not been in since the refit, I'm sure it's very nice but with so many great ale pubs in Beeston, I don't need to, so no score. The biggest travesty is the name, the misplaced tribute to Jessie Boot, founder of the Beeston based Boots Chemists. Jessie was a confirmed Teetotaller and would be spinning in his grave at the thought of being associated with a pub.

A rock pub on The Greyhound is a rock pub on Beestons Main high street. Entrance is free with live music every night of the week. The front of the pub is a traditional layout with a large square centrally located island bar serving from all three sides. The back half of the pub is a standing room only stage area that can hold about sixty people standing. There are about five hand pulls on the bar with most of them generic permanent beers as well as the odd changing guest. Prices start from £3 for the harvest pale and increase thereafter. On my visit Bombadier, Trooper and Timothy Taylors Golden best (3.40) were available with the Golden best being an ok pint but not conditioned enough and was not on top form but tolerable. After one I had a reaeonably priced Guinness at £3.20 which was again ok but not great. The tribute band were good and this pub serves its purpose but is not the sort of place you would go for a regular drink but if ever venturing to see a band it is a decent place to visit.

The Greyhound used to be a Bass tied house it is next door to the Durham Ox. This pub is quite smart inside with the bar on the left as you enter there is a raised seating area to the right and there are a couple of real ales on the bar one of these is a locale and the last time we went in it was Harvest Pale the other beer was Bombadier. This is a comfortable pub to have a drink in but it is a bit expensive.