The Crow, Nottingham

Opened in Spring 2014, this converted bar is the first pub from the local Magpie Brewery. The pub has a split level layout, with entry to the lower front level where you can find a few Chesterfield sofas and button backed armchairs. Stairs take you up to a very unusual hexagonal shaped island servery which dominates the centre of the room. To the left there is a simple seating area with armchairs to the front, standard seating opposite the bar and a slightly raised space beyond with quirky wooden slat backed banquettes, some crow/bird themed art and a large 'local brewers' map which was quite informative and worth having a quick look at. Behind the bar, a long shelf runs along the back wall with a large plain mirror above, offering somewhere to rest your pints during busier times. The room swings back past the servery over to the right hand side where some more wooden backed banquettes can be found underneath some particularly impressive large metal artworks. Someone involved in the pub's design must have aced their metalwork exams, as in addition to the artwork there are some attractive decorative railings and balustrades throughout and the toilets have sinks fashioned from converted beer kegs with keg fonts for taps. The servery has a huge former conditioning tank as a focal point and from this, several taps dispense interesting craft keg beers, with additional kegs stacked up behind to form the remainder of the notional bar back. Music played quietly throughout my stay and was in fact inaudible most of the time thanks to a decent atmosphere generated by a reasonable post-work crowd. A large board next to the bar helpfully listed the extensive ale range which comprised Magpie Raven Stout, Best and Hoppily Ever After, Austendyke Hog's Gate, Spitting Feathers Farmhouse IPA, Eden First Emperor, Maxim Double Maxim, Maypole Hop Fusion, Bumphill Ebony and Ivory and Dukeries Lady Matilda, with a strong list of real ciders also detailed. I tried a pint of the Lady Matilda which was in tip-top condition and had I not needed to dash off to the City Ground, I would happily have stayed to sample a few more. This place has a bit of a craft beer bar feel to it, but manages to achieve a sense of intimacy that doesn't always go with such venues. This is clearly an excellent addition to the Nottingham pub scene and one of the best places in the city to find interesting beers from obscure micros. Well worth a visit.

Recently opened as the Magpie Brewery tap, this former late bar and disco called BZR has been suberbly decorated and fitted out and on my recent visit seemed to be frequented by young after work office types. There is a full range of Magpie brews on the bar, 2 of the 10 pulls will always be guests. I tried a pint of Magpie boiler which was excellent. Beers start at £2.80 and are priced by ABV. The pub also has a range of wine by the glass, including English reds and whites which are all excellent. There are also 10 keg pulls and a huge range of bottled beers from around the world. Although I didn't try it, the pub offers a huge range of pub food from nibbles to full plates, all of which looked and smelled great. despite there being no discount for CAMRA members, I will certainly give the place a go on my next visit to Nottingham, might even have a go at the food.