The Queen, Doncaster

The Queen is situated just across from the marketplace and has a slightly grungy feel to it, aided by lots of skull pictures, as mentioned in the previous review. I don't think I've ever seen a phallic-shaped skull before, but did notice one here whilst washing my hands in the gents! What was noticeable here was the lack of customers. I arrived to find just the one guy at the bar chatting to the barmaid. When I eventually departed, it left the pub empty. Indeed, the barmaid was bemoaning the impact of Wetherspoon's on the town's pub and beer scene. Whilst I didn't visit the Red Lion ('spoon's) on this visit to Doncaster, it probably contained most of the customers who would frequent other town hostelries. The ale range was decent - Shiny 4 Wood, Rainbow Pride & Wrench, Imperial Remote Chiller & RedWillow Ekuanot. My request for a half of the Wrench (stout) provided me with a much lighter half than anticipated. The barmaid had in fact poured me the Ekuanot, but changed it without any trouble. The Wrench either hadn't been pulled through properly or was well past its best, but was still drinkable. Whilst standing at the bar, I did also notice that the pub stocks a range of real ciders and craft beers too. Ciders were Weston's Old Rosie & Lilley's Mango Cider, Elderflower Cider, Cherries & Berries, Tropical Cider & Bee Sting Perry. Craft beers were Siren Suspended in New Zealand, Polly's Rosebud IPA, Liquid Light Star Roving Export Stout, The Kernel Taiheke, Shiny Claps Over Snares, Yonder Watermelon Gose, Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropica & London Beer Lab Mosaic Ekuanot. Other than the skulls, the interior is quite dark and is fairly spacious with plenty of room for live music events, when hopefully the pub is much busier. It's certainly an amenable drinking environment, that I'd imagine would be much better when busy.

Based on a street corner,the traditional exterior gives way to a large square room with interesting artwork,skull designs some done by the talented barmaid.It's a music themed interior with a very fine juke box,from which random selections play continuously if no choices are made.Volume wasn't outrageous.There is a gothic feel,wooden floor,red velour bench seating around the periphery and traditional tables with stools and chairs.A few flatscreens were dotted about but not switched on.There are a few alcove areas if you want to tuck yourself away. The ale line up on my trip was Five Points Best (soon ran out),Shiny Afterglow (NBSS 3.5),Black Iris Endless Summer,Rudgate Oliver Twist and First Chop Pod.A decent selection,if lacking in style variety but the GBG 2021 entry is justified. There are also 6 craft keg selections from which I chose a BrewYork Dream Child,a 14% rocky roads ice cream pastry stout ,which delivered on all those flavours for a big session finish.The eclectic can and bottle beer list is worth squinting at for more interest. I enjoyed my visit,the bar staff were chatty and friendly and if you enjoy beers in all their different guises I would say this is a must visit in Donny along with the Draughtsmans Alehouse.Given it's location near Silver Street ,circuit drinkers and their antics maybe on show here on Friday and Saturday nights.

A larger single square room with a lot of distressed wood with corrugated iron highlights, there is some, probably unused brewing kit in one corner on a stage. 5 pulls with beers from small breweries as well as 10 keg taps, Fleetwood Mac and The Doors soundtrack. This one belongs to the same folks as the Marketplace two doors up.