The Marine, Sidmouth

A sports bar on the esplanade with some front deck seating with a sea view. Fairly plain inside with wood floor, black fifth-length wood panelling and neutral tones. Impressive 1966 World Cup winners decal behind the bar. A number of black and white pictures of various classic rock and pop acts adorn the walls. Football showing on the TV and was proving a decent draw. Two ales on; Exeter Lighter Man and Tanners Box o’ Frogs, the latter of which wasn't a great brew and tasted rather watery for my liking. It serves a purpose – it you want the football and sea view, then this is your spot.

Opposite the esplanade,there is a sports bar atmosphere with plenty of flatscreens and sofas to the front with a horseshoe bar midway on the lefthand side.There is a lower pool room to the back and a suntrap patio to the front of the building.On my trip the only real ale option was Exeter Lighterman,while another handpump was dispensing a real cider with a third pump unused.There were a lot of the usual lager and keg beer suspects from numerous high fonts.Muzak was playing but at a restrained volume on my lunchtime visit to check out the Ashes score.I would expect this bar to be popular with a younger crowd as the evening wears on.