The New Inn, Bath

A friendly locals pub with up to four cask beers and two ciders. (See photos - not all the beers/ciders were on, with two or three awaiting being pulled through.) My half of a West Coast pale from a local brewery was good, but not as good as other examples of this beer style. I'll call it NBSS 3 until I know more about this brewery or this pub. The pub is in the current GBG, so maybe it's just not the greatest West Coast beer ever, but I wouldn't mind calling in again. (No cash taken.)

Well described by Blackthorn, below, this town boozer is one of the better establishments in this part of town, though for some reason it has limited opening hours.  Live music from various bands is advertised, and there are now two pianos in the downstairs bar.  The glass ceiling panel was still there, but there were no upskirting opportunities of the sort to which Blackthorn refers.  The TV screens were switched off, and the music being played in the background was on the good side of tolerable.  It was a welcoming, friendly place with a good atmosphere.  Ales on were Butcombe Rare Breed, Uley’s Old Spot and Whiplash from Dawkins.  There were also two ciders, Lilley’s Bee Sting and Stan’s Cider.   Definitely worth seeking out, but check opening times first. 

Extensively refurbished since my previous review, this is now much more contemporary in appearance, with only a panel of stained glass being incorporated in to a sloping porch roof providing any reminder of what the pub used to be like. Downstairs it’s all one open plan, L-shaped room with parquet wooden flooring, cream plasterwork and all the timber painted a dark grey. An unusual feature wall paper to the left was made to look like a collection of wooden rulers, all branded with American company names. A couple of plasma screens were showing a sports channel, but fortunately the volume was off so this was not too intrusive. A couple of further rooms are located upstairs with large chunky farmhouse tables, which were perhaps more geared up for dining although they were empty on our visit. There is also a roof terrace with quite a few tables and chairs, although the outlook isn’t much of it. A glass floor panel also acts as a roof window to the bar below, and should make interesting viewing for punters there in the event of any ladies in short skirts walking across it. The menu consisted entirely of ciabattas and a good selection of burgers, the latter being priced somewhere around the £7 - £10 range. There was also a Sundae Bar section to the menu, and a selection of cakes and pastries on the bar counter. Beers on tap were Blond Angel, Fallen Angel, Whitstable Pale Ale and 6X. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold and Thatcher’s Heritage.