The Practitioner, Hertford

Official site of The Practitioner - www.mcmullens.co.uk

Official site of The Practitioner - www.mcmullens.co.uk

Formerly Barclays Bank and their insignia can still be seen in the substantial oak front doors.Mc Mullens have given it the full makeover and have installed vast plate glass windows along the frontage,so inviting pedestrians to gawp at the goings on inside.The interior is uber modern and open plan with conventional tables and chairs in the main body of the pub,a very high bench and high tables to the far left and three semicurcular banquettes in leather at the rear.There is an outside courtyard with smart wicker chairs.Money has been spent on the glass light fitments and the large photo montage of modern and old Hertford along one wall.The bar runs most the length of the room,has many shiny keg fonts but also three handpumps for McMullens beers,a seasonal plus Cask (fair condition) with a third pump with the pretentious notice that this ale is unavailable due to strong demand,a pathetic piece of marketing puff.Most punters drink lager in here at all times. There is a strict over 21 rule,so children and young drinkers are noteable by their absence.Food is served and the menu is more grown up as a result,my parmesan chicken was well cooked and I have heard decent reports from other Hertfordians on the grub,it is also popular with ladies who lunch. In the evening,especially at weekends the vibe changes and the muzak increases exponentially.Queues can develop,and doormen are present.Mutton dressed as lamb best describes a good percentage of the clientele,the atmosphere can get quite charged but never out of hand. Mc Mullens have rolled this concept out to quite a few locations but this is where it all started.It just depends on what you are looking for,decent pub style food during the day in a smart looking bar,or potential pleasures of the flesh of an evening.Take your pick,but it's no place for the ale connoisseur.