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The Pen & Wig, Newport
Newport
NP20 1JD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Pen & Wig
The Pen & Wig was my favourite new pub in Newport on my latest visit to Newport. It is part of the JW Bassett chain and is a fairly large pub with several different drinking sections. It is mainly bare boarded but does have a carpeted area in the front right-hand area, where a book exchange can also be found.
Food including Sunday lunches is served and there is an open kitchen to the rear right-hand side, with the bar also on the right wall. Elsewhere, there is a cosy area off to the left and an outdoor patio at the rear. There is a sporting theme with a signed rugby shirt on one wall and old photos of rugby matches on other walls. Multiple TVs were showing different sports, with cricket, motor sports and golf all represented. Music was playing too. Mobile phone chargers were also available at a cost.
At the bar, the two regular cask ales are Bass & Glamorgan Jemima's Pitchfork. Guest beers were Quantock QPA & Mumbles Albina & Oystermouth Stout. Pulp Rhubarb Cider was also on handpull and Beavertown Neck Oil was on keg. I was impressed that the barman asked if I was a CAMRA member and offered me a discount. I'd read about the discount but forgot to ask when ordering.
Despite being part of a chain, this pub is well worth a visit.
On 10th September 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3245 recommendations about 3243 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Pen & Wig
Been a while since I was last here – and little has changed, bar a splash of paint over some of the wood trim (sigh). Probably the most upmarket pub in town and the clientele, whilst mixed, generally reflect that. Five cask and a cider on with a good range of beer styles on offer and, Bass aside, a mixture of local(ish) micro and regional producers. I enjoyed an exceptional Wye Valley Wholesome Stout (NBSS 4.5) and great Bass (4) which reflects its perennial GBG listing. If it’s quality cask you want then this is a no-brainer and I've upped the rating to reflect that. 8.5
July 2016
A fairly mainstream place in a sloped terraced building but has some good selling points. The interior has not been fully opened-out so there are some relatively discrete drinking areas in what feels like a mid-90s refit - inoffensive but hardly noteworthy - and there’s an open kitchen at the rear if you want to check out chef's deep frying skills. When you enter you see four pumps but don't stop there, carry on round the bar for the full six. On my evening visit there was Gloucester Gold (good nick and only £1.40 a half) Bass, Cotleigh Osprey, Goffs Tournament and 2x Brains, SA and Main Stage. Friendly service from behind the bar. A solid pub that’s a guaranteed visit if you’re in the town. Rated 7
On 23rd April 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5754 recommendations about 5735 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Pen & Wig
Large pub with carvery & live sports. Long bar, polished wood floor, set up like a chain pub pushing food, but some nice areas & space
On 2nd April 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1585 recommendations about 1562 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Pen & Wig
Converted at some stage from two small buildings in a terrace running up Stow Hill, this pub has a refurbished façade and an ale house-type interior with a range of seating areas. Open kitchen at the back offering a range of burgers and other grills. Busy when I visited due to international rugby on the TVs, but the staff were managing well. Good range of beers from about ten handpumps, including the Gloucester Dockside Dark at £2.75. Run by the local JW Bassett chain.
On 16th November 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8918 recommendations about 8918 pubs]