The Cricketers, Taunton

Now called the Cricketers and has a branding very similar to a Wetherspoons, both outside and largely inside. Its run by somebody called GreatUKPubs, which I am guessing is an offshoot of Stonegate as their HQ address in Monkspath Hall Rd Solihull, is the same as the Stonegate HQ. A large, long internal space subdivided into different areas by partitions, the bar is on the right-hand side and the space in front is wooden floored with the usual mix of mainly wooden tables and chairs. Then the sections to the left on the other side are carpeted and have more comfy settee type seating. Then the furthest area at the back by the toilets is equipped with dart board and pool table. Several fruit machines and TV screens dotted about the place and the tables equipped with the usual laminated card of deep-fried delights that you find as a pub food menu in these type of places I was initially excited to see that the bar had five ale handpumps and approached to inspect the riches, which proved to be more difficult than I thought as they were draped very enthusiastically with Halloween decoration and whoever was on the fake cobweb duty must have been on a bonus for the amount used. Sadly, closer inspection revealed that only one ale was on in the form of Marston’s 61 Deep Pale Ale with Doombar and Tribute off and the other two with the dreaded “coming soon” labels. It was an OK place on what passes as a High Street in Taunton and if you cant be arsed to walk the five minutes to the Perkin Warbeck, then its probably an OK substitute.

Official site of The Cricketers - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Cricketers - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

A sad imitation of a nightclub which completely fails to resemble a Bavarian bierkeller in so many ways. There is no real ale, and no real Bavarian beer worth speaking of, but since Stechmückepisskeller, while a more accurate description, is not easy for the Somerset tongue to pronounce, it is fair to allow some artistic licence in the name. The single large bar, entered through the mound of chewing gum and fag ends that so often marks the entrance to these places, has rows of tables and benches to sit and enjoy the aforementioned insect waste and the distinctly non-German menu of burgers and American-style junk food which pass for nourishment here, plus various beer barrels stacked at one end. ‘Events’ are the main draw here – live music, parties and other occasions to supplement the routine weekend evenings which provide the mainstay. Rather pointless.