The Grapes, Abingdon

The Grapes had ten or so locals at the bar during a recent midweek evening visit and the rest of this small pub was empty. Large televisions are found throughout for airing live sports, Europa League football was on, so the jukebox was switched off. There is a dartboard. The bar to the right of the entrance supports standard keg alongside Mahou and Morland Bitter available from the solitary handpump. The service was polite but the locals were far from welcoming so I will walk past next time.

Opposite the Spoons, this is a basic locals place which is now a freehouse after being sold off by Greene King. Very bland cream interior with a couple of awkward pillars that get in the way as well. Many sports screens which gives you an idea of what to expect most evenings. Dart board (unusable on our visit) and an upright piano (used?). Two ales, Doom Bar and Box Steam Gym Dodger, the latter of which was OK but utterly bland and watery, not sure how a 5% beer can taste so without some sort of malfeasance. All a bit so-what but it’s popular (we bagged the last table on Saturday lunchtime).

Good little boozer which has picked up a little lately following appointment of a new licensee by Greene King. Has a couple of ales on, they seem to vary but of late rather than being GK they have usually been from Cornish breweries so plus marks for that. Is primarily a sports pub with screens, dart board and pool table. Prices a little lower than most other Abingdon pubs.