Crown Hotel, Nantwich

As described by others, an historic building with some spectacular (from the outside) features, which inside remains an attractive and friendly pub. Certainly the staff and some of the visitors were friendly, though there were a few drunken female idiots who managed to annoy everyone. The TV was showing live music performances, which was loud if nothing else. Dog treats and water were provided in the dining area, without asking, which was very much appreciated, by the dogs at least. Ales on were Settle Ribblehead Bitter, Salopian Shropshire Gold and Purple Moose’s Snowdonia, all in very good condition. There was a bank of hydrants for Camden Hells, Erdinger and another foreign lager, plus the megakeg set which included Leffe and Becks. Food was very good for the price. I’d be happy to come back.

The entrance of the Crown Hotel leads to a foyer at the foot of some stairs that lead up to the hotel rooms. The bar can be seen through the glass back bar and there is a burner to the right of a door that leads to the bar area. Through this door there is a front seating area and more seating runs up the right hand wall where there is also a piano. The is some more seating at the rear before the boundary to the bar and grill restaurant at the rear. The bar supports five handpumps that were drawing Salopian’s Shropshire Gold and Lemon Dream alongside Titanic’s Plum Porter, Thornbridge’s Jaipur and Spitting Feathers Brewery’s Rush Hour. A standard and premium keg range is also available. I didn’t spot any televisions, but there was some very low background music playing. I found the staff to be polite and there was a decent mixed crowd in during my recent Thursday evening visit.

It is immediately obvious that this is a hotel bar as reception is to your right as you enter. Once in the bar area there is a small front room with a fireplace and four tables, beyond this are further areas with additional seating. The building looks old from the outside and this continues internally, with olde worlde wooden beams in the walls and ceiling. Five hand pulls for cask ale, all of which were on and offering something fairly interesting at the time of my visit. I can imagine this place does get filled with diners as per Alan Hurdle's review, but thankfully not the case at the time of my visit with just a handful of people in enjoying drinks. My Tailspin by Salopian was very enjoyable. Background music was playing, service was friendly, toilets are smart and modern. I'd be happy enough to pay a return visit.

A fine old timbered building. On my Saturday afternoon visit it was busy with diners. All the empty tables were set up for dining. In spite of having four handpumps, it is not very suitable for the non-diner unless you wish to stand at the bar watching the diners. It might score an 8 as a restaurant, but my 5 as a pub is very generous.

Very twisted old timber inn with a public bar open to the public. The bar is quite pubby with approximately old style wooden furnishings tasteful prints and a piano. Four pulls with three from Spitting Feathers and Salopian Shropshire Gold which appears to be the house beer. A touch pricy at £3.50 for a 3.8% beer but that's hotel bars for you, although Nantwich is a pricey place all round except perhaps in the dodgy looking Marstons pubs I didn't try.

This place isn't too bad once you get used to it. It is, however, a hotel bar in the end and though its ok you're not likely to be hanging around too long.