Cuan Mor, Oban

Blackthorn _ left this review about Cuan Mor

A good-sized pub situated in a prime spot overlooking the estuary, first impressions might be that it’s more of a restaurant, with a “Please wait here to be seated” lectern inside the front door and the front room crammed full of diners. There is however a further bar down a few steps at the rear, and this seemed to be mainly occupied with drinkers on our visit, so its’s worth persevering.

The lower rear bar actually has a decent amount of character, with wood strip on the floor, a few wooden beams on the ceiling, and sandy colour wallpaper on the walls with dark wood panelling down below. Various old portraits were hung on the walls as well as a few brewery adverts and old black and white photographs of the locale. There was a collection of old whisky bottles and such like on a shelf, as well as a few jogs and such like. An old fireplace was off to one side with a brewery mirror and stag’s head up above. Seating was a mixture of mustard colour padded and fitted benches, old school chairs and some padded tartan chairs.

The menu offered a tempting looking selection of dishes including many seafood options, but in the end, it was a it of a mixed bag really and we rather got the impression that they were just trying to get as many people through the doors as possible, with nobody being turned away but instead despatched to the rear bar to wait with a pager.

Unfortunately, there were no real ales on tap, just Belhaven Best, Belhaven Black and Greene King Gold Coast IPA on keg. Ciders faired equally poorly with Aspall’s being the only option. Overall, whilst I quite liked the character of the rear bar, the poor drinks selection wouldn’t really inspire me to return.

On 11^th July 2023 - rating: 5
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