Hertford House Hotel, Hertford

The next-door Quiet Man was rammed for a PL match, so I skipped that and went next door to this which is no longer an American diner, rather a bar with Banksy/Basquiat-style art on the wooden-slated walls. Bare boards too, and standard tables and chairs with the former having faux-marble tops. No real ale, although I did get close - a 500ml bottle of Adnam's Southwold Bitter was £4.60 for the honour. A DJ was playing some 80s Soul tunes from an iMac in one of the corners and I'm pretty sure one of the party of women on a table near me, who ended up getting up and boogieing was ex-Eastenders actress Gillian Taylforth. An extra point for the 80s/90s soap star spot.

This bar has had several different incarnations over the years,and is currently themed as an American style diner.The open plan interior has a wooden floor throughout and a modern open kitchen on view at the rear.Opposite the bar there is a long bench with multiple dining tables,while to the front are a collection of high tables,and a low drinking shelf running underneath the large plate glass windows where you can sit and view the street scene.There is a large "Hotel" sign picked out in red bulbs on one wall and above the bar,in cinema plastic lettering,the food offering is advertised.There is no real ale,the keg taps set in the wall offer the usual suspects plus a couple of craft beers,my Brooklyn lager was passable but pricey at £4.65. The bar is aimed at the younger set,the muzak featured a lot of heavy base and most folk were in for something to eat.Not really enough for me to warrant another visit just for a drink.