The Maritime Inn, Plymouth

This pub turned out to be a token "proper" pub for me on my visit to SW England. It's an old looking place with entrances at either end of a long narrow split level room. I entered from Southside Street into the upper area which has entirely low tables and chairs. Behind this and down a step is a bar area with a wooden floor, some bar stools and a few low tables and chairs. There is also a large obtrusive TV screen which dominates the entire room and was pointlessly showing a silent sport channel. It was pointless as the only other customer on my Wednesday evening November visit was busy droning into his mobile phone. The bar has three hand pumps which had one unused, Tavy Solstice (Summer) and Hanlons Brewers Blend. I went for the Hanlons beer (£3.80) which was expensive and very pedestrian but in reasonable condition. I didn't think much of this place and wouldn't bother to return. I only came here because I missed the entrance to Gog and Magog.

A long narrow frontage as you enter (wood flooring and whitewashed tongue and groove wood panelling) with few people in situ leads to a more comfortable and popular rear bar. Two ales on; Skinners Ginger Tosser (good nick) and Black Tor Maritime Best (very good). It’s a decent pub with well-kept beer but, like a number of boozers in central Plymouth, doesn’t really excel.

Called in this 2013 Good Beer Guide pub while at Plymouth for the beer festival, and found a popular open plan pub with entrances onto the main street and the harbour where there was some seating outside. Inside there is a bar type area, and a quieter side too. Enjoyed 2 beers from Summerskills brewery.