The Gypsy Rover, Redcar

Noisy micro with the bar to the left. Not a very impressive selection of ales for a micro.

Pretty much as described by Aqualung, a micro pub but definitely in the Teesside style. It's a big square room with red wallpaper and Tiffany lights, carpeted and with continual background music. The three handpumps dispense a cider and two changing beers, on this occasion a less than scintillating choice of Hobgoblin or Copper Dragon Hop Head Red perfectly pleasant and well kept if a little too cold. The fridges hold a reasonable but not outstanding choice, this is Redcar of course not a flash place like Middlesbrough. There's a small room rear right labelled the snug lounge it has no counter and was about to be used for a private party. The unisex toilet is rear left. As mentioned there's a big TV on one side wall, the other has an old stove with gipsy wagons on top and various photos of Romanys and horses above.

Although the Gypsy Rover bills itself as a micropub it's certainly bending the guidelines for these places as it has a large TV which was turned off, there was a 70s soundtrack playing, way before my time so tracks by the likes of the Eagles, Roger Daltrey and 10cc were completely new to me. They also have Karaoke nights and Live Music. On the plus side it's independent and sells real ale and cider. Inside it's like a small shop converted pub with a carpeted room at the front and a further room at the rear called the Snug Lounge. Most if not all of the seating was low. There were two women in charge when I arrived just after midday on a Tuesday and both were chatty and friendly. There is a small bar at the rear left of the front room with three hand pumps which had a cider, Rudgate Brass Monkeys and Pennine Ruby Rose. I tried both beers (£3.00) and they were in excellent nick. To me this wasn't a micropub but it says it is outside so I'll go along with that. It's certainly a friendly little place with a couple of beers so well worth a look.