The Library, Durham

Quite a quirky multi level interior with more room at the rear than you initially think. 1 real ale.

Not much has changed in the six years since I was last here, still with four pulls, two beers from Maxim, a cider and a blank. Craft kegs from Tiny Rebel, Thornbridge, Anarchy and er ...Theakstons. My Double Maxim was ok but not outstanding. The multi space multi level interior has been described before. Service was much like pulling teeth.

Despite being in the old area by the cathedral, the interior has a bright, modern feel. The front part is a bit of a cross between a a cafe and a tourist office, but it gets slightly more pubby as you head back past the bar running down the side and find some split level areas at the back, including an outside decked area with river views. Alongside various craft stuff, the three handpumps offer some good local brews, at time of visit from Sonnet43 and Anarchy. Food seemed popular at lunchtime and they apparently run a loyalty discount scheme.

The library is a very large modern bar. Once inside there is a decent sized room to the front with the bar on the left side,there are normal tables and chairs to the front and tall ones to the rear,there is a much larger to the rear which is down a few steps,this area has a mix of seating types and a large screen was showing the Everton v Arsenal game. There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Maxim Double which was a nice drink,the other beer was Thwaites Wainwright. This pub was ok for a quick half,but not really my sort of pub. Pub visited 19/3/2016