The Criterion, Weston Central, Weston Super Mare

On the street behind the seafront, so less frantic and has the feel of a local’s local. A sideways staple-shaped interior with a gently faded feel, much like the punters. You can spot 40 years of partial refurbs once you get your eye in and the piped 60’s music seemed apt. Of note is the attractive curved wooden servery and a cove area at the rear with a dart board (no sign of the bar billiards table mentioned in more aged reviews). Four decidedly unexciting cask over six pumps; 2x St Austell, Hobgoblin and Courage Directors, the latter of which was cool and fresh (NBSS 3.5) if a far cry from the beer it was years ago. Stan's cider, because West Country. A decent place that’s worth a pint – GBG’23 listed, and one of the few that justifies its place.

Old fashioned (in a good way) side-street pub on the higher ground to the north of the town centre. Narrow frontage, with a staple-shaped layout that rises a few steps up to the very traditionally furnished (and quiet) rear seating area beyond the busier bar. The decoration is also of a similar nature, apart from the flashing lights on the new-fangled slot machine. I found Courage Directors, Proper Job and an excellent Tribute (£4.00) being served from a total of seven handpumps on different parts of the counter.

Walked in on the off chance, having noticed landlord shutting the door to prevent fag smoke blowing into the bar A real community pub, friendly banter going on, a few with a bit too much booze inside them, but not in a nasty or threating way I counted 6 ales & 4 ciders, all fairly local West Country origins Lots of memorabilia on the walls, although some may be job lot "from Pubs R Us" Furniture & surrounding are basic pub stuff, not one to go to if seeking to impress, but one to go to if you want a nice pint