The Royal Hotel, Weston Central, Weston Super Mare

As it’s name implies, this is in fact a hotel bar rather than a standalone pub, but it is nonetheless open to non-residents. The name also implies perhaps, that this is a rather upmarket establishment, but then again this is Weston so of course, that’s not the case. To be fair, it was perhaps fairly grand in it’s day, but is definitely looking a little tired now. Internally it consists of one good sized, open plan room with carpet on the majority of the floor and some dark wooden laminate around the bar counter. Walls were contrasting shades of pale yellow and burnt orange and there was some elaborate cornice work on the ceiling. A few Chesterfield sofas and armchairs were clustered around a fireplace to the left. That all sounds rather elegant perhaps, but then the pool table off to the right and a rolled up projector screen with a few disco lights as well all rather detracted from any genteel ambience that there might otherwise have been. A couple of TV screens were showing a music channel with a pretty decent mix of 80’s hits at a reasonable volume. The barmaid seemed friendly enough, but had to break off her drinks service to go and deliver some food. Beers on tap were both from St. Austell with their Tribute and Cornish Best. A third pump appeared unused. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Thatcher’s Haze.