McCarthy's, Luton

Facebook page of McCarthy's - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of McCarthy's - www.facebook.com

Quite a contrast to the Hibbert around the corner, which is a lively and welcoming back street local. This one is dim and gloomy, with only half a dozen punters at the time of my Saturday afternoon visit. There is one hand pump on the bar, which is dominated by a low ceiling of dark wood that gives the place the feel of a cross between a funeral parlour and a coal mine. I had a half of Guinness, which was colder than the Extra Cold I'd had at the Hibbert, even though it came from the regular font, so it took me quite a time to drink. One or two people were watching the same football matches as the 20 or more in the Hibbert. Maybe it gets livelier later: there's a small stage to the left on entering.