The Bear Hotel, Alcester

Another decent pub which seems to attract diners. Doom Bar and a good Butty Bach on when I called in.

A very appealing pub from the outside but once you walk through the door, there is a huge overwhelming disappointment. The whole place has been thoughtlessly refurbished seemingly with little respect for the building's history. It now very much aimed at the young drinker of no fixed taste who is more likely to be admiring the Sky match and the pool shots than the architecture and heritage. The main bar area off to the left is quite bare but at least has some of the old exposed beams. The sofas (without any tables in front of them) look rather out of place and there is very little other seating here. The beer selection is poor with no Real Ales and standard kegs, oh, and a Slush Puppy machine to keep the under 10's happy. To the right of the bar is a large room with a wonderful vaulted roof and large brick fireplace that sadly is used for nothing other than to act as a useful spot for their “Watch Live Football Here” poster. The seating is by way of extremely uncomfortable benches and there is no attempt to retain the room's essence. Mounted football shirts are on display where perhaps a few medieval artifacts (torch holders, shields, coats of arms etc) would be more apt. The area is presumably also used for DJs, karaoke, live acts etc - it deserves better. Down the centre of the pub is a corridor that was probably once an open passageway but has now been roofed over to create a larger interior. A row of seats line one side and there are quiz / fruit machines at the end. On the other side is another large room used exclusively for pool (2 tables). Again there are some nice features (particularly the fireplace with its adjoining cart wheel) but the room just begs to be admired by more than a lagered up pool player. To the front is a small recess with a dart board and another big screen and a table looking out into the pretty high street. All in all this is a bit of a waste of a lovely building and with a bit of imagination, care, thought and even some proper beers, it could be so much better. Maybe one day it will be.