The Star Coffee & Ale House, Ryde

Popped in on Sunday, they had a jazz trio playing to a packed house. Rather squashed, yet the barman/landlord made some room for us and we felt very welcome by the patrons. Harveys Sussex on tap was on top form. There are a few Craft beers that I didn't recognise. The toilets were amazingly clean, just thought it deserved a mention. We had an olive and cheese platter, and I really wish we had discovered this venue much earlier in our stay.

Designer makeover of a small corner pub into a "coffee and ale house". It is painted in several shades of grey with various arty decorations giving a Bohemian sort of feel to the place and something of a "laid-back vibe". There are also some tables on the pedestrianised street outside. I have to mention the bar person (manager/owner?) who managed to be both friendly and efficient and clearly kept a tight ship. On handpump were Directors and Marstons 61 Deep, with a few mainstream crafty things on keg. I quite liked the place.

Basic High Street boozer, opened out at some stage to leave a three-part space with the main seating area by the main doors, the bar in the centre and an almost clear area at the back (for live music, by the look of things). Initially appears to be limited interest in the decor too, but there are two attractive old 'Ship Hotel' glazed panels above the counter. Just Bombardier Burning Gold (£3.30) from one of two handpumps, but at least it does now offer a real ale.

The Star Inn is in the main shopping area of Ryde and when we went in this pub it looked like a London pub from the outside. Once inside we went in the room near the entrance this room was fairly narrow it was carpeted and comfortable enough,when we visited this pub it was a Whitbread tied house and there were two real ales on the bar we had a drink of Bass and this was a decent drink the other beer was Boddingtons bitter. The pub was quite busy at dinner time with mainly locals but the pub seemed decent enough to have a few drinks in,so me and my wife are probably the ruff and ready type. Pub visited 18/2/1999