Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

Tap room for a local real ale/craft beer wholesaler , up to 12 pulls and large selection of craft beers in cans and bottles , open Friday afternoons and all day Saturday

The Providence is a new bar ‘serving quality cocktails, lagers, ales and ciders’, but the emphasis definitely seems to be on cocktails. Based on a quick peek through the window, one draught beer is on offer (Birra Moretti), plus a range of craft beers in cans. Charcuterie and cheese plates are available, as are bottomless prosecco sessions, for those so inclined.

Although this has been open for a couple of years or so, I was unsure whether to add it or not as it’s main focus is on cocktails. However, after a recent visit I found that there are a couple of draught options available, so it probably warrants inclusion even if it’s not a pub in the strictest sense.

Externally there’s little to distinguish it from similar identikit units nearby, and inside too, there is little in the way of any cosiness or ambience. If you’re after a cocktail bar along the lines of Red Light or Milk Thistle, then you’re going to be disappointed. The flooring is all some type of concrete screed, and much of the walls too are either concrete or bare breeze blocks, although there is some more attractive brickwork at the front. Several pieces of artwork adorned the walls however, much of it for sale and a large number of life buoys were suspended from the ceiling. The long bar counter was clad with blocks of wood of varying sizes, which was perhaps something of a feature.

First impressions from looking at the bar counter were that there we no draught options available, however closer inspection revealed a couple of taps on the back wall nestled in amongst the plethora of sprit bottles. Hence no real ales unfortunately, with just Goose Island IPA available on keg. My Unicorn Tears (Beefeater London dry gin, Koko Kanu rum, raspberry sorbet, almond & coconut syrup, pineapple juice and fresh lemon juice) was decent enough, although the presentation was not as elaborate as some places. My friend’s Sugar Tax included Irn Bru among it’s ingredients and this was served in one of their cans instead of a glass. Overall, not bad, but there are better cocktail bars within a fairly short distance, and it’s certainly not a pub in the traditional sense.

A must visit music venue, where the beer quality has improved significantly. London Pride in fine nick. Well described below, and I can confirm that the jukebox does work. A fella was feeding it and putting on wholly inappropriate ac/dc.

Pleasant, trendy and clean place, staff very friendly. Not many pubs where you can sit at the front in the beer garden. Attracts customers from all walks of life.