The Cricketers Arms, May Bank, Newcastle under Lyme

Looking through the large front windows of the Cricketers to see a sparsely decorated pub with a pool match in the right and a dart match and plasma showing football in the left may turn some people off, but I was filled with excitement on my approach. As I entered I noted that the pool table is in an old smoke room to the right of the entrance. A second smoke room is directly opposite the entrance, but the door was closed. The toilets are located to the right behind the pool area and the bar is to the left of the central corridor. Standard keg is available from the bar alongside a single craft tap which was drawing Black Sheep’s Pathmaker at 5%. I also noted four hand pumps, two of which were unused and the other two were drawing Abbot Ale. There is minimal parking out the front where there is a small decked area for smokers. I found the service to be friendly and the locals to be harmless enough. Pool, darts, football and beer, what’s not to like!