The Cock Hotel, Milton Keynes

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Blackthorn _ left this review about The Cock Hotel

A large and prominent pub/hotel in the middle of the attractive High Street. It’s got a slight chainy feel to the place though, and seems to be lacking a certain something in terms of atmosphere.

The main bar at the front has black and red chequered tiles around the bar, and old wood boards elsewhere. Paintwork is canary yellow, with wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. There were a couple of fruit machines next to the bar, and another one opposite. A wood panelled archway leads through to a smaller rear room, which as well as the canary yellow paintwork from the front mixes this with burgundy and more wood panelling. There were a couple of old leather sofas and a large black and white print of the pub from many years ago, and this had a somewhat more relaxing feel than the main part of the pub. Beyond this was a good sized courtyard.

To the right was a larger open room, that looked to be slightly more geared up for dining with menus and cruets on all the tables, but not to the extent that you felt you’d be unwelcome just having a pint. Here the wood panelling reached almost to the ceiling, there was an unused fire-place at one end and a few leaded windows with drapes and a number of old black and white photo’s on the walls. The age group of the clientele in here was noticeably older, almost as though they were doing some sort of meal deal for pensioners.

I didn’t eat myself, but the menu looked to be a fairly typical mass produced PubCo affair, with most of the mains being around the £7 - £8 mark, and there were also a few specials chalked up on a board. The barmaid seemed somewhat disinterested in serving, preferring to chat to her tattooed friend.

Beers on tap were just Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.

On 30^th November 2011 - rating: 5
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