The Shakespeare

Still branded externally as an Ansell's pub, this recently reopened establishment is still a bit of an odd mix. The entrance leads into a side alley, with oddly has a grand piano up some steps straight ahead. The wood-panelled bar is off to the left, with a few barstools and some tables at each end of the counter, but all rather gloomy inside. Just Hobson's Town Crier (£3.50) available from the three handpumps, and the barman warned me in advance that cellar problems meant that it would be a bit hazy (as it was), but that it would taste OK (which it did).

A strange looking pub once inside. It's all wooden floorboards with an entrance hall. Then up a couple of steps on the left to the bar. It has live music regularly and the rock jukebox was going at full belt on my Wednesday evening visit. 2 handpumps on the bar with just Timothy Taylors Landlord available which was overpriced and not kept that well. Luckily they have a quiz machine and I managed to win the price of my pint on it, so overall I was reasonably happy. I'll not bother calling again though unless something changes.