Bakers Vaults, Stockport

The Baker's Vaults is presumably a new Robinson's acquisition and is set on the Market Place opposite the Sam Smith's pub. I found the whole place a bit trendy, an opinion that was reinforced when I got served a pint in one of those stupid dimple mugs without being given any choice. The best thing about it was that I couldn't see a TV screen. Music (presumably from the old jukebox) was blasting out. The Robinson's beers on the right of the bar were Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde, the two Trooper beers and Old Tom. The left five hand pumps had one unused, Bank Top Blonde, White Horse Champion the Wonder Horse, a cider and Ashover Turning Stone. I went for the Bank Top Blonde (£3.60) which was in decent nick but a bit on the expensive side. This one's worth a look, at least the guest beers weren't from Marston's.

After a massive refurbishment this is now one of THE places to go in Stockport. A vaux Victorian look with stupid wallpaper pretending to be drawers at the rear. An old style jukebox, but loaded with CDs provides the entertainment. There are loads of clocks around the walls. The menus come on those trendy, pretentious boards and the food is mainly burgers & hot dogs. 10 handpumps in two banks of five. 3 Robbies beers on plus a cider plus 4 guest ales and 2 unclipped. A pint of White Label 5 Hop was a rather expensive £3.60. Old Tom was also available at a rip off £2.90 for a half. Thieving sods, but I suppose someone has to pay for the refurb and sadly, it's you and me. Overall I quite liked it and it's certainly a huge improvement on its previous incarnation.

Extensively refurbished by Robinsons in a modern Victorian style, it is one open space with a central servery. Two banks of pumps provide a range of Robinsons beers on one, and a range of guests on the other. All the beers our party tried were in excellent condition. The pub is rightly very popular and gets a well deserved glowing description on WhatPub, it is one of a handful of very good pubs in the centre of Stockport.

NOT WORTH WALKING INTO THIS DIRTY PLACE WE TURNED ROUND AND LEFT

Official site of the Bakers Vaults - www.bakers-vaults.co.uk