The Regency, Weston Central, Weston Super Mare

Side street local that looks like a hotel/B&B at a glance. Inside feels like it had an expensive refurb in the late 1970s which has been well maintained. A homely and comfy interior over two rooms - lounge to the right and games area to the left. The bay window banquette was the best seat in the house and most of the punters were either sat there or in close proximity, a few barflies excepted. Enclosed bijou and tidy rear patio. Six cask on at the bar, mainly from large regionals - 2x Butcombe, Timothy Taylor Landlord, one I forgot to note and St Austell Anthem (NBSS 3). Used to sell Bass but I was told that it no longer does, shame. Friendly service from behind the bar from a professional young lady. Filled rolls available for £2.50 – mine hit the spot. GBG’23 listed and easily the best all-rounder in W-S-M for my money. If only there’d been Bass…

Side-street pub just far enough from the north end of the main seafront to be more of a local than a tourist haunt. From the road, this place looks little different from the numerous small hotels and B&B establishments that abound nearby, but the interior offers a traditional (if refurbished) ambience. It's also in the Good Beer Guide, and five of the six handpumps were in use when I visited. The beers were mostly mainstream, but there was certainly nothing wrong with my pint of St Austell's new Anthem (£4.20).

This looks as though it was once a hotel but is no longer used as one. That may explain the rather plush decor in the bar area. There is another area to the left which had a TV going with the tedious European Cup and a crowd watching. Although there are six hand pumps on my visit the beer choice was depressingly mainstream with one unused, Courage Best, Bass, Well's Bombardier, Butcombe Bitter and Quantock White Hind which saved the day (£3.50) and was a good pint in excellent condition. This one is GBG 2016 listed.