Rustic, Altrincham

Might be the fact that the opening hours didnt match google that put me off. I arrived at 1:59, expecting a midday opening. They opened at 2 but didnt extend an offer to let me inside whilst they put the outdoor furniture out. A surprising (to me) GBG recommendation. Not sure I noticed the promised four cask on - but I had a Marble Pint. Rather disappointing to be told after serving that it hadnt been pulled through and I could swap it if not happy. Also in a dirty glass. With other places to try, I moved on as quickly as possible. I'll look with interest to see if it make the 2025 cut.

Visiting Rustic late on Wednesday afternoon I joined a couple of young ladies with a baby who were sat in the window, a local who had just finished work and three or four staff who were sitting in one of the booths that run down the left wall opposite the L-shaped bar on the right wall. The bar is lined with bar stools and there is more seating at the rear adjacent to a large flight of stairs the lead up to the first floor where there is an advertised function room. On the wall up behind the bar is a television that was playing some background music from the likes of Simon & Garfunkle and Elton John. I counted four hand pumps that were drawing Brightside Brewing’s Odin Blonde, Vocation’s Bread & Butter and Marble Beers’ Pint. I couldn’t read the forth clip due to poor marketing. There are also eleven fonts for dispensing premium and craft keg, there is a chalkboard beer menu up on the wall. American themed food is available, the cheeseburger is priced at £9.50. More interestingly for those looking for a quick bite whilst out on the beer there are slider options (small burgers) which are priced at £9.50 for two or £13.50 for three. I found the service to be polite, but my half of Odin Blonde (£1.90) was a little short. This was due to it being very lively rather than the service being tight. As high street bars go this place is actually OK and I’d pop in for another if passing.

Official site of Rustic - www.rusticalty.com

Official site of Rustic - www.rusticalty.com

The Rustic is in rustic style! Grey and plank wood exterior, with a few tables and chairs. The interior is a dog-leg, and in crate wood, brick, wood floor, with high stools, lights, bus and tram murals. There is an upstairs area as well. They do food. There was no TV and the music was at a decent level. The service was fine and the clientele maturer at my visit. Beer: craft and Freedom keg beers, with 4 real ales on handpull - I had a good Magpie's Thieving Rogue. Definitely worth a look in, more than happy to have stopped off here.

A long and narrow room at ground floor which kicks very slightly to the left as the room extends back. The floor is close boarded as is the bar counter, decor is fairly minimalist and includes a mural of the brewing process by stages on a side wall and a few bits of modern art towards the rear. Unusual clear glass globe filament lights hang from the ceiling. Booth seating opposite the bar has adjoining charging points. High style tables to the rear. As the pub name infers, the beer range is eclectic. On cask were Merlin's Excalibur, Mobberley Brewhouse Concept, Boom Juice and Elsium, Black Isle Blonde plus Revolution Brewing Co Gogo. The handpumps are numbered with the beers listed on a board on the wall. There are a few exotic keg offerings also and cocktails are advertised. Food seems to be platters of meat, cheese or pate or snacks such as sausage rolls or olives. Stairs wind up to the toilets and another room which had stacked chairs, then they rise again somewhere but the second set was roped off. A welcome addition to the rapidly improving Altrincham pub scene if not especially traditional, the barman was chatty and clearly interested in the beers. Recommended.