The Peahen, St Albans Central, St. Albans

This is a large modern pub on a prominent crossroads in the centre of St Albans. The pub has a rather fancy interior but looked a bit like it might once have been a chain drinking barn-style venue thanks to the large open-plan interior. Following the current one-way system, you find yourself entering to the main bar area, with the servery along the rear wall. The bar zig-zags along an unconventional line with a modern counter and bar back in front of a smart floorboarded area mainly filled with high tables and stools. Additional seating can be found in two sizable spaces either side of the bar, with plentiful partitioning helping to break up the room and create a few spots that are a lot cosier than you might expect from this sort of venue. There are plenty of basic tables and chairs ideal for diners, of which there seemed to be many on my Thursday evening visit, but there are also some comfy lounge furnishings here and there. Décor includes lots of plain painted walls, fancy floral wallpaper and lots and lots of possibly fake flowers and plants. Despite a number of empty tables and at least one couple leaving when I arrived, the greeter insisted that all tables inside were accounted for and advised that I would have to sit out in the garden. He let slip a little though, when a lady who was clearly a regular came in behind me and asked him if he had any free tables, to which he told her he would “see what [he] could do”! I didn’t have the energy to argue my case to sit in such an impersonal room, so traipsed out to the garden which is set across two distinct spaces – a scruffy front patio section with uncomfortable high stool seating under a flimsy looking canvas covering which what looked like a closed bar cabin to one side, an a nicer rear space with bench seating and proper smoking shelters. I had a bit of a wait for someone to come out and take my order, the greeter having long since ditched me to try and find a table for his friends, but the waitress who finally came out was friendly and apologetic. It appears that this place normally serves cask ale, but perhaps as a result of the pandemic, there was nothing but a row of unclipped pumps to greet me, so I turned to the craft keg selection, which included four Rivertown brews, from which I opted to try their SIPA, which was a fairly standard session beer served at an uncharitably cold temperature considering I was sat outside in the cold night air. I’m not really that big a fan of this type of modern, pack-them-in, open-plan bar but I thought they’d done a decent enough job here to make this place feel a bit different, despite the lack of atmosphere. The service from the greeter was pretty shoddy, the beer too cold and the lack of cask ale disappointing, but some of these can directly be attributed to the side effects of the pandemic and I suspect this would make a reasonable enough place to come and have a pint, perhaps with a bite to eat and in the company of friends who don’t usually ‘do’ pubs.

I didn't like the look of this pub at all,more focused on dining than anything else. I too do not like Mc Mullens beers ,so I didn't stop for one.

In a prominent position ,this Mc Mullens tied house is focussed on food and has a largely open plan interior in a modern,rather souless style.The bar runs around one side of the interior ,while dining type tables in pine predominate.There is a small exterior beer terrace ,but I didn't detect much pub atmosphere.Two handpumps were drawing MuMullens Country and a seasonal "guest" badged as from The Whole Hop Brewery which is just another name for Macs brewhouse. I wont be rushing back.

Nice modern pub with extensive garden at rear.2 McMullen beers County and Stout Herts which I found bland.Dont like McMullens beer much

Large modernised McMullens bar, irregular in shape, with various different seating areas. Substantial patio beer garden in courtyard to rear. Slightly anonymous atmosphere not really helped by the background jazz music. Two handpumps offering Country and the seasonal (£3.25).

The Peahen has a late license until midnight on Thursdays and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays which is why there is a bouncer working the door on these days. It was filling up very quickly during my early Saturday evening visit and when I walked past at about 21:30 a queue had formed outside and a ‘one in one out’ system was in operation. The management here must be raking in the money for Mcmullens as it is a very big pub to fill. In amongst the sea of standard draught taps I did spot two hand pumps that were drawing Mcmullen Cask Ale and Royal Wedding Ale. I plumped for the Guinness which was well served in a timely manor considering the queue at the bar. Food is available from around the £9 mark, but I didn’t eat or see anyone else doing so. There is a courtyard out the back that I think is mainly used by smokers. I suppose that I would have no problem returning here if passing, but there are better pubs in the local area.