Chaplins Bar @ Sandringham Hotel, Weston Super Mare

One of many hotel bars along Weston’s sea front, it was somewhat surprisingly full to capacity on a recent mid-week visit and we only just managed to squeeze in on one of the last tables. That said, I suspect that we were the only punters in there who were not hotel residents and certainly the only ones under about 60. Décor wise it’s fairly bland with nothing of any note. Walls and ceilings were predominantly Artex with some exposed brickwork, although this was of the modern variety which I don’t really think does anything to enhance a pub’s aesthetics. A smaller room off to the left was a little more contemporary with some slate effect tiling on the walls, but other than that, this too was very bland and had little in the way of any atmosphere. A couple of plasma screens were on the walls, but the main entertainment, and I use the term loosely, was from a guy in the corner with a PA system crooning away and holding a raffle. Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, just their own keg Sandringham bitter. On the plus side though, they did have Thatcher’s Gold cider. Unless you’re a hotel resident and not able bodied enough to walk anywhere else, I really can’t see any reason to visit here. But going on the number of people who were there, it would seem that I’m in a minority with that view.

Door to the bar closed around 2.30pm today, so I checked in reception and it opens evenings. Non residents welcome, but they don't have real ale.