Jax, Hartlepool

An unpromising exterior, but there's been an effort to give this bar on the edge of a 70s shopping centre a bit of individuality. There are plain tables and chairs downstairs, with a few padded stools at the bar and some armchairs in a corner by the entrance. There's a staircase leading to an upper floor, but I didn't go up - perhaps that's the venue for the "open mic nights" that are advertised on boards outside? On the bar are three hand pumps which had two beers on at the time of my visit: one from Clarks of Wakefield and the other Titanic Plum Porter, which was in excellent condition. There's a Camra members discount: my half went down in price from £1.25 (which was already cheap enough) to just £1.05 on production of my membership card - I don't know if this is the regular discount or an error! I was the only customer at the time of my visit, on a Saturday lunchtime, so can't comment on atmosphere or the friendliness or otherwise of other drinkers. Definitely worth popping in if in Hartlepool, for the real ales at least.