Volunteer Riflemans Arms, Bath Central, Bath

This is a small, narrow fronted pub down a small passageway in the centre of town. In the main bar area downstairs there are a few settles and some standard tables and chairs; the walls to dado level are painted crimson; and the walls are covered with aviation themed and mainly WWII prints and memorabilia. There are a few homely touches like plants on the tables and magazines available for customers to read. There’s a dining room upstairs, although I didn’t have cause to visit it, and one or two benches outside at the front. There were three ales on – Bass; Abbey Bellringer; and Mole’s Jailer’s Daughter. I didn’t see a menu, but I suspect we were in there too late in the afternoon for lunch. This is a nice enough little pub. It’s certainly not a destination venue, but worth dropping in for a swift one if you happen to spot it down the alleyway.

Compact side-street pub with an upstairs dining room (not visited) plus a couple of patio tables on the front pavement. Traditional furniture and decor (mostly with a military theme). Customers appeared to be split about 50:50 between regulars on the bar stools and visitors at the tables (although most of these seemed to be on a return visit, given the banter going on). Four beers on handpump - TT Landlord, Butcombe Bitter, St Austell HSD and the 'house' Best Bitter (which may be made by Moles, £3.30). Overall, looks an inviting place when you walk past, and certainly worth popping in.