The Oak & Ivy, Burton On Trent Town, Burton on Trent

Fairly traditional two-bar locals pub that is the other side of the railway tracks from the town centre in an area were quite a few other pubs (such as the Alfred and the Old Cottage Tavern) have closed and those that are still around (e.g. the Weighbridge) have very limited opening hours. As such, I wasn't surprised to see it doing a brisk trade on my Tuesday afternoon visit. I think all customers were in the bar to the left-hand side, with a lounge to the right left unoccupied. The pub clearly has an affinity to the local football team, where I was heading for a match later that evening. As per Quinno's review 3½ years ago, real ales are still Pedigree & Directors.

Another two-bar local of the type Burton seemingly specialises. Some light modernisation inside but feels pretty traditional. The left hand bar had some tatty banquette seating, worn brown Blockbusters pub carpet and a few knick-knacks on a high shelf. A decent crowd in for Leicester v Wasps on the telly including a load of bar blockers. The other bar had the horse racing on and felt fairy pleasant, tongue and grove painted wood panelling, ye olde ceiling beams and some old black and white pics of Burton. Two ales on, Pedigree and a past-its-best Courage Directors (NBSS 2) served up by Burton’s version of Little Mo. Suspect if I'd had the Pedi I'd have enjoyed it here more.

The pub was much as described by Old Boots in his review below, except that it was so quiet here on my Saturday night visit that it was impossible to detect any atmosphere, friendly or otherwise, which was a shame. Two beers available on the four hand pumps, these were Marstons Pedigree and Wychwood Hobgoblin. Although Pedigree is an OK beer, this was my third drink of it of the evening so I was looking forward to something a little different, and it wasn't going to be Hobgoblin either. Oh well, I suppose I should be grateful it wasn't Watneys Red Barrel!

A comfortable two bar pub with public to left, lounge to right. Both rooms are carpeted and furnished with well upholstered benches along with wheel back chairs and stools. The public has machines and a big screen. Five handpumps with the usual Pedigree on two of them, Wychwood was on the blackboard but there was no sign of any of their beers. Décor is a good pubby mix of old bottles, books, nic –nacs, old Marstons ad’s prints and photos. It goes without saying that the atmosphere is the friendly one common to a lot of Burton pubs of this type.