The Poacher, Bolton

Komakino . left this review about The Poacher

Marstons-owned corner plot boozer which looks a tad faded from outside impressions, but does proffer a friendly welcome from within. Staple-shaped inside, with an entrance-facing bar, there appear to be four distinct areas which could hint at previous sub-room division in the past, but the cosier areas are to the left-hand side with some old black and white photos of people, sporting teams and the pub itself from one-hundred years-plus ago plus a nice selection of whisky bottle sleeves on a high shelf. To the bar's right is another room, broken by a door with exit to the beer patio/smoking area (as well as access to the car park). An ante-room houses a pool table and dartboard. Two visits in two nights, after the underwhelming and expensive selection at the nearby Mercure Hotel, found on night one a solitary, but excellent Courage Director's (NBSS 4 and £3.70), and on night two, the same, plus Wychwood Hobgoblin Ruby (NBSS 3 and £2.70, as Tuesday night is 'Cask Ale Tuesday'), from two of the four handpumps. TVs dotted around showing either sport or random television may distract, but the friendly welcome negated any gripes, and they remembered me on my second visit, and thanked me for coming back, so they deserve a mark above the average for that at least.

On 10^th February 2024 - rating: 6
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