Rustic Kitchen @ The Swan Hotel, Alcester

The Swan Hotel is a large pub in the middle of Alcester. Once inside the room to the front left was being done up,so this room was out of action,we then went down the corridor to find an oblong shaped room,the bar was on the left side,the seating was mainly normal tables and chairs but there were a couple of settees,the room was carpeted,there was a seperate pool room to the rear left and a dining room to the rear right which looked unused. There were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Tetley Smooth crap which it was,the other keg bitter was John Smiths Smooth Crap. The room was fairly busy with drinkers,not sure why when there are lots of better pubs nearby. Pub visited 10/5/2014

This old coaching inn is situated just off the end of the High Street and dates from the 17th century when it was a popular stop off on the London to Midlands route. These days it is just a modest and rather dull multi functioning hotel with few thrills or spills. There is a futile notice on the wall in the rear bar requesting no singing, no dancing and no swearing - there is actually very little to sing or dance about here in the first place. My 1997 guide to Alcester picked up from my accommodation contains an advert boasting that Audrey and Roger do the best beer in town. It would seem that they took it with them when they left as the only beer on show now is mass produced lagers and keg bitters. The front bar is largely a pool room with a seated area near the door and a large fireplace with a soot stained wall above it. The carpeted rear bar is rather nondescript, characterless, uninspiring and way too bright. Any opportunities to get the most out if the building's features or furnishings appear to have been cast aside in favour of a functional approach. There is a separate function room and restaurant although they didn't seem to be in much use during my visit. Every night I walked past during my week long stay there seemed to be some woeful live music (what was that about no singing on the notice) that was a definite reason to avoid going in. A few TV's, signs of a domino league and rotary club meetings were the only reasons I could see for the locals to drink here. There is certainly not much to attract the casual passer by. Very disappointing although they do at least show a good sense of humour on their web site!