The Head of Steam, North Shields

This is certainly not the best of branches of this chain. My visit here was a far cry from a trip to Birmingham in between lockdowns when I queued for almost 20 minutes just to get through the door. Here I was the only customer throughout my visit. The young barmaid looked very bored. Just a couple of real ales were on - Cameron's Boathouse & Vocation/Verdant Fruit Bat Ninja. The cider was Lilley's Mango Cider. Craft beers included Camden Pale, Theakston Barista Stout & Cameron's Road Crew. But the draught beer range was significantly smaller than in other branches. Toilets are a bit of a trek up the stairs, whilst there was a really annoying humming noise throughout which was competing with the sound system. Watching the goings on in Front Street from a table in the window was probably the highlight of my visit here. At least a CAMRA discount is offered.