The Roundhouse, Nottingham

As implied by the name, this place is indeed perfectly round both inside and out which makes for a fairly unusual (and sometimes disorientating) drinking experience. Formerly part of Nottingham General Hospital and only recently converted to a licensed premises (it does still happen!) the main bar is accessed via a fair few stairs. The interior has been decorated in a fairly plush lounge-style - dark green trim, heavy velvet curtains, impressive ceiling frescos, comfy leather chairs etc - which divides opinion a bit but I rather like it, especially as they are happy to sell six good-quality ales with a slant to local breweries at decent prices (with a CAMRA discount available). Service from the two barmaids on my visit was very good, friendly and helpful (Canalhouse take note!). Upmarket food is available (coffee cakes at the bar!) but we were offered pork pie which was a bit more like it…enjoyable enough but maybe a little on the small side for the price? There were some nice wedge-shaped snugs at the rear and raised seating area around the side of the room. Aimed at the more sophisticated clientele, we were nonetheless made to feel welcome and it’d be a good place to take a partner without having to compromise on the finer things in life.

Excellent "wife friendly" pub. You know what I mean...Nice food/seats/toilets and fizz by the glass. Aside from that, a surprisingly good real ale venue. Always lots of local beers on draught as well as more common stuff. This pub has become a favourite of ours after Saturday shopping trips or as a starter before a good meal out. Will return again and again.

I am generally very positive to old historical building finding extended life as a pub, but was slightly sceptical when having the Roundhouse initially described as I’ve experienced other quirky buildings where it just hasn’t worked. But happy to say I was impressed by this one. Yes it is more lounge bar than traditional pub, but the complete circular space has been utilised well and the available space is well arranged so that there are distinct and different areas as you go round the circle. The bar section has six real ale handpumps supporting regional brewery beers and there is space for vertical drinking, but as others have commented, it’s not really the place for that. Good beer selection and the Nutbrook Banter I tried was well kept.

A good all round pub this one, a very well run establishment with pleasant staff and a good range of well kept ales. I enjoyed the Grafton Brewery Encore, Beer Works Dr Mortons Rubrication and Copthorne Cossack. Pork pie was good but a bit on the small side for Northerners. Will spend longer next visit.