The Flying Circus, Newark

The front entrance of the Flying Circus opens onto a seating area and steps that lead up to the bar counter that runs up the left facing high tables that run up the right. At the rear is a stage that is overlooked by a balcony above. A proper live music venue with music merch on the walls, although the décor isn’t as grim as most. In amongst the premium and craft keg I counted four hand pumps, one was being pulled through so the cask offerings were Exmoor’s Gold, Oakham’s Bishop’s Farewell and Thornbridge’s Quiet Storm Cashmere. The Gold was on good form and the service was welcoming so this pub is worth a punt if passing to visit Just Beer over the way.

Interesting alehouse and music venue, with a suitably grungy interior that matched the background tunes well enough. Five real ales on handpump: Adnams Southwold, Rev James, Theakston Old Peculiar, Northern Blonde from Brass Castle and Bad Seed's Holding Path (£3.90; with a handmade clap adaption, but in great shape, and seemingly the beer of choice that evening).

Enjoyed our visit to this pub with a decent selection of ales from interesting breweries. They also have a range of keg beers, canned and bottled beers and also ciders. We chose Beermats Matador ale which was fine.

Traditional looking place from the outside but inside is a very modern bar aimed at the younger market, live music enthusiasts and people who like Monty Python. The long single room is done in primary colours - blue, red and yellow. Live music stage at the rear with what looked like an upstairs seating mezzanine. Noted that there were phone charging points available at a number of the tables – excellent idea. Also a good back catalogue selection of Private Eyes Five cask at the bar; Dancing Duck Dark Drake (very good nick), Dark Star Partridge, Newark NPA (unimpressive quality), Cheeky Rascal V7 and Brewsters Marquis. Also some boxed cider, a good selection of craft keg and prominently displayed fridge items. Enthusiastic, if overly-familiar barman. Very quiet on my Sunday afternoon visit compared with a number of other places (guess this is more of an evening venue?). Pretty decent but I get the feeling I caught it at the wrong time to truly experience the experience.