The Vaults of Uttoxeter, Uttoxeter

Much hype about this one and it certainly looks the part outside. Inside is a bit of a let-down with grey paint and a slightly scruffy feel – a fuller description is below. Paino spotted – do its ivories ever get tinkled? That said, it's compact and buzzing. Just the Bass and it was super (NBSS 4.5). Cobs also available, unlike the similar-niche Talbot. I enjoyed it here but a bit of TLC wouldn’t go amiss. Much like I said about the Talbot I rather enjoyed it here but, then again, I’m a massive Bass fan. Others may be less keen. This one is GBG listed. 8.5

Three steps from the street lead up to the small front L-shaped bar area that was busy with older local men during a recent Thursday evening visit. There’s limited seating and somehow a dartboard has been shoehorned in. The bar counter up the left is split creating a rear seating area that is smaller than the front bar. In here a skittles table takes centre stage. At the very rear is a separate seating room that houses another dartboard, the locals choosing to ignore this area. There were less than twenty people in attendance and the place felt busy, in fact there was only one table free, which is where I sat by the rear exit. I didn’t feel overly welcome, well that was until one of the two women spilt my pint. She quickly wiped up the spill and apologised profusely, which thankfully broke the ice. The talk was mainly about Bass, which was the only cask choice being available on two of the five hand pumps. Sunday drinkers were also mentioned, I reckon this lot love a good moan. There was some background music playing, the likes of Buble so nothing too daring. The toilets are in an outhouse at the rear, so not the nicest space. Also, the steps at the front are a lot easier to climb than they are to descend, so mind how you go.

Five handpumps on the bar with Bass on four and the sole interloper, ex-Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, breaking ranks in the middle. The pub was busy when I arrived in early afternoon on a weekday, and all but one were drinking Bass. The pub front, that extends onto the market place, is a step below the bar area, and there's a further room behind, which has a table skittles game. I observed, from my seat in the front room, a skilful game beween three or four expert locals. When I had to step outside to take a phone call I found myself in an alley that leads to the gents toilets. There's also a further room to the rear, accessed through a door past the skittles table, and the women's toilets can also be found this way. So the pub is a lot deeper than it is wide. This is my kind of pub - a locals pub with good beer, a friendly atmosphere and a bit of character. Of course, if you don't like Bass, better steer clear...