Gleesons, Holyhead

My ancient N Wales beer guide reveals that the Rose & Crown (mentioned below) which this once was used to be an Ind Coope house. I missed the pool area as I got distracted by a music act setting up over to the right. The beers from the two hand pumps which I also failed to initially spot were Bass Heritage St Modwen Golden Ale and Springhead Exodus. I went for the St Modwen which was OK but rather hazy. I left when the musician started up but could easily hear him from the Skerries across the road and at that distance he wasn't as bad as I feared. Holyhead is a poor town for beer so this is one of the better ones.

Had I not read the previous review, from the external appearance I would definitely have expected an Irish bar inside. Instead, there are three small rooms - one with a pool table up a short flight of steps - with traditional furniture and decor (with the racing on the sports TV screens coming from Wincanton rather than the Emerald Isle). The two handpumps in the side room are not immediately obvious, and the clips are apparently reversed (but this is so that they can be seen from the main bar counter nearer the entrance). However, two beers from Stamps - the Blond Moment (£2.80, in good form) and Swedish Blond - were both on.

The exterior colour scheme suggests a possible fake Irish pub, but this is deceptive, as this is one of the better sort of high street pubs. Although the interior décor is a mish-mash of fake book shelves wallpaper, plastic bar counter and wood veneer floorboards, the atmosphere is congenial and friendly. A more comfortable, carpeted lounge is to the right and there's a pool table up a few steps past the bar. There are two hand pumps at the far end of the bar, which were serving Celt Experience Castell Coch (Red Castle) and Weetwood Cheshire Cat. The Celt was a very good beer and I would happily return here if I find myself in Holyhead again. Date of visit: 3rd September 2015

This is a terraced pub, once called the Rose & Crown. It is in yellow, with green paintwork, hiding what were the Victorian brickwork (at least). The small front gable, the single bay window and neo-classical entrance are the main features. The interior has a couple of areas. Up the steps, at the back, is the pool room. The main room was clearly once two rooms. It is in red, white and wood panel with green bench seats and stools. Local pictures and some cartoons are on the walls. There was no music and the TV had ITV on. The service was fine and a few locals were in. Beer, no real ale, just usual kegs with a fair enough Theakston's MILD. A fair enough place, just lacks real ale for my personal taste.