Minerva Inn, Plymouth

The Minerva is a thin pub with seating, a piano and a dartboard at the front before a serving counter located midway up the left hand wall. Some furniture shifting would’ve been required to play darts. At the rear is a sofa and a couple of tables faced by an old brick fireplace. During my visit the locals were taking advantage of ‘free jukebox Tuesdays’ to play some oldie stuff that was reflective of the late fifties early sixties crowd. The bar supports a limited standard keg range alongside six handpumps that were drawing St Austell’s Tribute, Hicks and Foxes T’ale, alongside Salcombe Gold, Devon Dabber and Sandford Orchards The General cider. The service was friendly and the locals good natured so I’d have no problem returning to the oldest pub in Plymouth.

Ticking off a few Good Beer Guide Pubs in Plymouth. Not much to make this one stand out, with the exception of a the easily worn title of oldest pub in Plymouth. Beer was OK - a couple of St Austell on and the HSD was in fine condition. Worth it for the stories which you can read from their website. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2MsN5nm

Seemingly very old black & white inn near the harbour. Painted metal pillars dotted around holding up the ceiling, which is grafittied in very unsightly fashion. Its a little tired but has character. Beware the yapping angry dog as soon as you go in. 3 real ales, slightly warm

A smallish pub tucked away in the back streets but just a short stroll from the harbour area, it was almost full to capacity on a recent Friday evening visit, perhaps on account of the live music that was on. Although I use the term live music loosely, it was more a guy singing along to a backing tape karaoke style, although he did strum a guitar occasionally. Service at the bar was friendly enough, but somewhat delayed whilst the barmaids ejected a rather inebriated lady who took exception to someone (allegedly) pointing a figure in her face. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with some sort of concrete or screed on the floor whilst the walls and ceiling were rough white plasterwork with black timbers. Leaded windows were at the front of the pub next to which was a small stage area. A snug was at the rear behind the bar counter although we did not investigate this. Much of the ceiling was covered in white boards which were themselves liberally covered in felt tipped graffiti presumably by many of the pub’s clientele over the years. Beers on tap were St Austell’s HSB and Cornish along with Tanner’s TA Gold. Ciders were well represented with Cornish Orchards Farmhouse and Vintage, Strongbow Dark Fruit, Old Rosie, Black Rat, Thatcher’s Gold and Cornish Rattler.