The Grain & Hop Store, Cambridge

Official site of The Grain Store - grainstore-cambridge.co.uk

Official site of The Grain Store - grainstore-cambridge.co.uk

This was formerly a Hogshead venue but changed its name back in 2007 when it was taken over by Green King (yawn, like they needed another pub in Cambridge) who renamed it The Avery due to the fact that it was previously a factory where the Avery scales were produced. So good to see an old factory building continuing life as a pub and it’s fairly spacious on two floors (main bar and dining area downstairs and pool tables and large screen TV’s upstairs), and is well situated over looking Parkers Piece. But that’s where the plaudits end unfortunately. Internally it’s a modern clean space with large wooden tables and chairs and some sofa type soft seating at one end. However it’s set up for sport with multiple teles, and difficult to avoid them. And although its got a great location overlooking the green space, there is no outside seating, but a small outdoor area out the back that looks out over a small courtyard. And even though some of the original factory fittings , like the air condition ducts remain, its still a bit characterless internally. And then, even leaving to one side the standard GK beer choice with no guests offered, their low cost Wetherspoonesque food menu attracts the inevitable crowds of students. And on perhaps the hottest weekend of the year so far, when the Parkers Piece green space was heaving with people they were woefully understaffed to deal with the throng , either serving or clearing glasses from the tables. Didn’t take long to find better pubs in Cambridge.