The 'Front, Falmouth

Unassuming harbourside bar, you're rewarded when you enter. Simple rustic décor (think the Minerva in Plymouth – whitewashed walls, traditional seating etc) with some points of interest like the vaulted ceiling and half barrel lower servery. No screens or machines and it was a blessed relief to get away from the 6 Nations by this stage. Eight cask with a great range for Cornwall, plus a selection of ciders. They were shifting and my Treen's Essential was truly excellent (NBSS 4.5) so easily justifying its GBG listing. Apparently you can bring in your own grub. Falmouth has a really good collection of boozers and this one is right up there amongst the best. 8.5

The 'front was the first open pub we came to on our way from Falmouth Town station. It's a two-storey building on the right-hand side as you enter Custom House Quay and just behind the Trago Mill store. The ground floor is the main bar, whilst the upper floor appeared to be some kind of fish & chip restaurant. Whilst the pub itself does not serve food, the table nextdoor to ourselves was full of people consuming fish and chips, presumably from upstairs. You are free to bring your own beer in. My experience of Cornwall pubs is that the real ale selection is often fairly limited. Not so here. A total of 8 ales were on - Treen's Essential, Firebrand West Coast Session IPA, Sharp's Special, Tintagel Pendragon, St Ives Alba & Meor, Atlantic Sea Salt Stout & Beartown Kodiak. In addition, there were 3 boxed ciders - Pitchfork Scrumpy, Abrahall's AM & 3D Strawgasm. The pub has very few windows and is therefore quite dark. But it does feel like a proper drinkers' pub. Outdoor seating is overlooking the harbour. Whilst it wasn't full during our afternoon visit, we returned later in the evening to find the inside packed, with some sort of solo guitarist performing. There was a lively atmosphere and at least 2 of the real ales had changed, with both Treen's Sunbeam & Firebrand Beast Of Bodmin having appeared. Service was good. I'd have to rate this as the best pub in Falmouth. It's certainly unusual for me to return to the same pub on the same day!

despite a change of ownership i’m pleased to say it’s still a charming little Cornish real ale pub. Right next to the award winning chippy and you are actively encouraged to bring your fish and chips to eat here; in fact, most of the clientele were doing exactly that. Basic, bare boarded interior with decor all of local interest, most of the beers were local too including the lagers. friendly regulars in on a Wednesday afternoon, 9 real ales and plenty of ciders too. Inane background music and initially disinterested service were the only negatives, it’s a must visit pub in Falmouth.