The Old Malt Shovel, Newark

During a recent Thursday evening visit to the Old Malt Shovel I found a very unwelcoming pub with dismissive service and an intimidating local crowd at the bar. Thankfully it takes more than an impolite publican and a few gnarly pissheads to turn me away from a new pub. The interior can be described as a reverse S-shape with a dartboard around to the rear. The bar counter up the right supports standard keg and four hand pumps, one of which was in operation drawing GK Abbot Ale. I went for half a generic lager that wasn’t very pleasant, time to clean the lines!