The Salty Dog, Northwich

The Salty Dog has ‘Tatton Brewery’ etched into the glass in the door and front window so it wasn’t surprising to see their KBA, XPA and Gold available. The forth hand pump was drawing RedWillow’s Headless and there are craft keg options. Feeling like a double shop conversion, the interior is in two sections, split by a half-length dividing wall. The bar counter is on the rear wall to the left and a stage set up with band equipment, including a bass drum emblazoned with ‘Salty Dog’, is on the rear wall to the right. Tables and chairs are dotted around the front floorboard area. A short corridor at the rear passes the two unisex cubicles on its way to a seating area at the rear that houses a couple of arcade machines. The walls in this rear area are plastered with old gig flyers. Rock music was playing in the background during my recent midweek evening visit when there were a handful of middle aged men present. I bet this place gets a bit cosy when a band is playing, and although this isn’t the biggest place I think the having only two toilet cubicles must cause issue at busy times. I wasn’t that keen on the Tatton Gold, the XPA was better, but I still wasn’t a fan. They both tasted quite earthy, much like Shepherd Neame who I also don’t really like.

The main front area is partially divided with the bar to the rear left and a fully kitted out stage for live music to the rear right. Green walls and ceiling, the walls are liberally covered in band and gig flyers. Beyond the stage a corridor links past the toilets to a tiled floor area with a bar football table and a pair of video gaming machines. Outdoor area beyond. Four handpumps with a local slant, two from Tatton, Gold and Lazy Haze, Great Heck Navigator and Merlin Excalibor. Monday's have a £2 deal on real ales.Food limited to snack pies and quiches. I didn't see a TV but low volume metal music played I reckon it cranks up in the evening. A welcome addition to Northwich town centre.

Official site of The Salty Dog - www.salty-dog.co.uk

Official site of The Salty Dog - www.salty-dog.co.uk